Zicam Cold Remedy Products Blamed for Causing Loss of Sense of Smell

Zicam Cold Remedy products have been linked to reports of some users losing their sense of smell, a serious medical condition also called anosmia. Since 1999, more than 130 people have reported losing their sense of smell after using the popular cold remedies. In some cases, the injury is permanent, while some users have been able to regain some or all of their sense of smell after stopping use of the Zicam products.

Matrixx Initiatives, the maker of Zicam Cold Remedies, said it also has received about 800 reports over the years from people who complained of losing their sense of smell after using the products. The company, however, never forwarded those consumer complaints to the FDA, because company attorneys said the law did not require Matrixx to do so.

Losing the sense of smell can have a devastating effect on a person’s life, costing them the enjoyment of cooking, eating, outdoor activities, and other pursuits. Victims of anosmia may also develop chronic depression and other severe disorders as a result of their injury.

FDA Recall Announced

In June 2009, after the FDA announced the consumer complaints, three Zicam brand cold remedies were recalled. The brand names of the products that were ordered immediately pulled from pharmacy and store shelves were:

• Zicam Cold Remedy Nasal Gel

• Zicam Cold Remedy Nasal Swabs

• Zicam Cold Remedy Swabs Kids Size

Causes of Anosmia

Anosmia, the medical term for what is more commonly called loss of the sense of smell, is commonly caused by nasal occlusion that results from inflammation of the nasal membranes (a condition also called rhinitis). Breathing in air pollution, suffering head injuries or viral infections, and the use of certain types of nasal sprays, swabs, gels, or mists such as the Zicam Cold Remedy products also have been known to cause people to lose the sense of smell.

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