The sad fact is that the long history of intranasal zinc is ugly. Matrixx knows it and now you know it. Zicam is relatively new. Nothing like it had ever been marketed for human useage. It slipped passed FDA scrutiny because only a select few were even aware of the potential dangers. Unfortunately the FDA was not one of them.

If Zicam Nasal Cold Remedy is so safe, then why won’t Matrixx test it on living human smell tissue just to be absolutely certain of its safety? It is not acceptable for them to proclaim that it can’t reach the olfactory region. Let INDEPENDENT taste and smell doctors make that call….NOT Matrixx funded testing. How can we depend on unbiased test results conducted by “the accused” on rats and mice as they may react differently than humans. Afterall, it’s humans we need to be concerned with here! And if results show that damage to the sense of smell and taste is possible, then how about placing a clearly stated warning label, rather than blind-side the unsuspecting consumer. That would demonstrate REAL concern for consumer safety. Their attorneys seem happy to always fall back on, “You can’t prove it.” when there are indeed ways to prove it, but no one from Matrixx have any desire to conduct real studies that produce results that are anything but results they pay to get.

The scientific studies funded by the maker should not be totally relied upon. INDEPENDENT SAFETY STUDIES ARE NEEDED to confirm that it is safe or not safe. There are far too many unanswered questions.

I have lost my sense of smell and taste and did not understand why? I am a nurse and tried to medically attribute it to sinus issues but have since discovered that I do not have a sinus problem. I have used the swabs/spray and have samples that I have bought. Not sure what to do now?

used zicam in winter of 2007 in spring 2007 i found i lost my sense of smell i consulted ent and neurologist who refred me to mri there was no findings only recently i found there is possible connection to zicam

I used Zicam in 2003 and still have the container with some of the contents still in it.
For some time now, I have been without a sense of smell or taste. As I have been uninsured for several years, I just lived with it hoping the loss was temporary.
This year, I finally have a primary care physician. When I told her of my problem, she sent me to an ENT. When I mentioned to him that I had used Zicam, he asked if it gave me a blinding headache. I don’t recall a blinding headache. I do recall a burning sensation deep in my nose. After numbing my sinuses and nasel passages he and a fellow ENT did an exam. After the exam he ordered an MRI and today I went in to discuss the results. No tumor, so it’s logical to assume there is nerve damage. Apparently, a biopsy of the likely damaged nerve is quite a dangerous procedure.

I have inexplicably lost my sense of smell. I have used Zicam in the past and upon learning of the Zicam side effects I believe there is a link. Who do I contact to join this class action?

Wow, I guess I am really behind times. I noticed after using my Zicam nasal spray several times a couple years ago, whenever I inhaled, there would be a bad smell. It would last about 2 days, then go away. I can smell and taste things, that is not a problem, however, many things now smell really strong and offensive to me. There are even certain hot drinks that I can not even be in the same room with! I was hoping this was a temporary thing, but it is still happening.

I used Zicam swabs in 2009 and soon after noticed that my ability to smell was diminishing. I thought it would get better but it did not. I have since lost most of my sense of taste as well. I still have the box I used in 2009 containing remaining swabs. I believe my loss of the ability to smell is first a safety issue since I would not be able to smell smoke if there was a fire or if there was a gas leak. Second I feel like my quality of life has diminished due to both the loss of smell and taste. Is there anything I can do?