Federal regulators urge common cold patients to stop using Zicam meds.
West Palm Beach, FL (JusticeNewsFlash.com)—The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) http://www.fda.gov is warning consumers to stop using a popular common cold remedy, Zicam, which is responsible for more than 130 reported cases of loss of smell (anosmia). The loss of smell may also become permanent in users of the cold medicine.
Zicam, owned by Matrixx Initiatives, is used by consumers and marketed to people suffering from the common cold. The cold remedy company actively markets Zicam as remedy for combating the common cold virus, also known as the rhinovirus according to Wikipedia http://www.wikipedia.org. The makers of Zicam claim the over the counter cold medicine will reduce the duration of the common cold, and reduce the severity of cold symptoms. The side effects of using Zicam may be worse than what consumers experience when suffering from the common cold. The FDA has warned consumers to cease using several Zicam products, due to the loss of smell, such as:
• Zicam Cold Remedy Nasal Gel
• Zicam Cold Remedy Nasal Swabs
• Zicam Cold Remedy Swabs, Kids size (a discontinued product)
Consumers have reported loss of smell occurring after the first dosage of the drug, and others have reported the loss of smell within the first several dosages of using Zicam products. Loss of smell is particularly dangerous, because it can adversely affect the quality life of Zicam users, along with an inability to detect hazardous smells, such as gas or smoke. The FDA has issued a warning letter to the maker of Zicam products, to cease the marketing of these products without the approval of the FDA. United States health care officials are encouraging consumers to report any side effects related to any of the Zicam products to the FDA’s MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program online at http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch/default.htm. Or by telephone at 800-FDA-1088.
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