Dangerous Drugs - Zicam

The popular Zinc-based nasal cold gel, Zicam, has been linked to a condition known as anosmia. Anosmics cannot detect scents or smells of any kind, and the loss of smell greatly reduces the sense of taste. In addition to not being able to taste food, anosmia is a dangerous condition, as the sense of smell and taste alert people to fires, poisonous fumes, and leaking gas.

In September 2003, Zicam, the best selling brand for zinc cold remedy, had lawsuits that came against it for people who accused the medicine of ruining their sense of smell and sometimes, taste. In January 2006, they settled 340 lawsuits for $12 million. In early 2004, at the height of the controversy, Zicam countered that it was a small number of people who had experienced the problems and that the common cold is one of many factors that can cause the anosomia. They also said that when zinc gluconate dissolves it forms zinc ions and gluconate, a naturally-occurring compound found in all human tissues. They said that Zicam is a bufferred gel that is formulated to have a neutral pH. Others countered Matrixx Industries, the maker of Zicam, that many of the patients had experienced a strong and very painful burning sensation when they used the product, indicating damage to the nasal tissue. Nonetheless the nasal gel continues to be sold.

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