FDA NEWS RELEASE
For Immediate Release: June 16, 2009

FDA Advises Consumers Not To Use Certain Zicam Cold Remedies
Intranasal Zinc Product Linked to Loss of Sense of Smell
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today advised consumers to stop using three products marketed over-the-counter as cold remedies because they are associated with the loss of sense of smell (anosmia). Anosmia may be long-lasting or permanent.

The products are:
--Zicam Cold Remedy Nasal Gel
--Zicam Cold Remedy Nasal Swabs
--Zicam Cold Remedy Swabs, Kids Size (a discontinued product)

The FDA has received more than 130 reports of loss of sense of smell associated with the use of these three Zicam products. In these reports, many people who experienced a loss of smell said the condition occurred with the first dose; others reported a loss of the sense of smell after multiple uses of the products.

If you want to read more, go to
http://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/Newsroom/ ... 167065.htm

I heard something brief about this on the news, but I didn't know the full story. Thanks for sharing all of the story. I'm glad I've never tried that product! I would hate to lose my sense of smell. Smelling ties into tasting too and if you couldn't taste, that would make eating not very much fun anymore! (That could be a good thing though if you are trying to lose weight )