Zicam Anosmia Recall

More than 2 million people in the U.S have been affected by anosmia, a medical condition in which an individual suffers a loss of sense of smell which can be temporary or permanent. Lately, several consumers have attributed anosmia to the usage of Zicam cold remedies, which has led the FDA to pull Zicam products such as Zicam Cold Remedy Nasal Gel, Zicam Cold Remedy Nasal Swabs and Zicam Cold Remedy Swabs (Kids Size) from the market.

Information on Anosmia Lawsuits

Following the FDA’s warning to the manufacturers of Zicam, numerous people have filed anosmia lawsuit against the manufacturers of these nasal products. While the outcome of the anosmia lawsuits filed in the year 2008 are yet to be known, it is a well-known fact that the manufacturers of Zicam nasal cold remedies have paid more than 12 billion dollars in a total of 340 lawsuits till date. The manufacturers call it a business decision to settle the claims and are reluctant to admit the pitfalls in the manufacturing of these products.

Eligibility for filing an Anosmia lawsuit

Any individual who has suffered a temporary or permanent loss of the sense of smell because of the usage of Zicam nasal products is very much eligible to file an anosmia lawsuit against the manufacturers. It is highly recommended that one contacts a reputed Anosmia litigation attorney to determine the strength of the case. It is good to know that majority of the committed anosmia lawsuits work on a contingency basis and do not require you to even pay a penny before they are able to get a fair compensation for you.

Effects of Anosmia

Anosmia damages the sense of smell and taste of an individual. Several anosmia lawsuits point that the use of Zicam nasal cold remedies damages the olfactory nerves which inadvertently results in the loss of smell. Since the sense of smell and sense of taste are inter-related, any individual who suffers a loss of smell also loses the sense of taste to a great extent, which in turn affects the quality of one’s life. While the loss of sense and taste might sound as trivial matters to a few, it is good to understand that anosmia could impede one to save oneself from severe life-threatening circumstances because of their inability to detect hazardous fumes, poisonous gas leakages, smoke and fire. One cannot undermine the emotional stress and trauma associated with the loss of smell and taste. The onus to compensate the individuals against these losses lies with the manufacturers of the Zicam products.

Make The Call Now!

If you or someone you love has been injured, please contact the McEwen Law Firm today for a free case evaluation. You may be entitled to serious monetary compensation to cover lost wages, medical expenses and more. Call us toll free today at (800) 732-3070 and talk direct with an attorney that can assist you in recovering your losses. We work on a contingency basis which means you never pay a dime – unless we win your case and recover compensation for you!

Zicam Recall By FDA Announced

After receiving reports of more than 130 cases from consumers, where majority of them iterated that they have suffered a loss or damage due to the use of Zicam, the FDA on 16th of June, 2009, finally decided to recall the over-the-counter nasal remedy off the shelves. In the FDA’s recall on loss of smell, the organization urged the consumers to discontinue the use of Zicam cold remedy nasal gel and related products, as they are likely to instill a permanent loss of smell and taste in users. The three products Zicam products which were recalled by the U.S Food and Drug Administration are:

• Zicam Lawsuit Cold Remedy Nasal Gel
• Zicam Lawsuit Cold Remedy Nasal Swabs
• Zicam Lawsuit Cold Remedy Swabs, Kids Size (a discontinued product)

The FDA’s decision to recall these products is also based on several scientific reports and data which suggest that the zinc content in these products can damage the olfactory nerves in the nose, which are indeed quintessential for the normal functioning of sense of smell and taste.

A long-lasting or permanent disability to smell or taste can result in a potential threat for the safety and health of an individual, as an individual who has impaired these senses might not be able to detect fire, smoke and spoiled food. Janet Woodcock, the director of the FDA’s Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, echoed the voice of many when she expressed her concern saying, “Loss of sense of smell is a serious risk for people who use these products for relief from cold symptoms. We are concerned that consumers may unknowingly use a product that could cause serious harm, and therefore we are advising them not to use these products for any reason.”

The FDA has urged all the Zicam users to report any adverse side effects of Zicam, including anosmia to the FDA’ s MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program, if they have experienced any. The FDA is also committed towards helping the consumers with different channels to report the side-effects to the concerned department.

The FDA’s warning to the manufacturers of Zicam clearly states that the manufacturers need to conduct a thorough testing and research to establish the safety of these products before seeking the approval of FDA for their re-introduction into the market. It is a must mention here that, though the manufacturers of Zicam still continue to call the settlements as a business decision, and continue to say that these products are safe to use.

If you or someone you love has been injured, please contact the McEwen Law Firm today for a free case evaluation. You may be entitled to serious monetary compensation to cover lost wages, medical expenses and more. Call us toll free today at (800) 732-3070 and talk direct with an attorney that can assist you in recovering your losses. We work on a contingency basis which means you never pay a dime – unless we win your case and recover compensation for you!

Zicam Lawyers Available For Recall Lawsuit

The FDA has asked the consumers to avoid using Zicam nasal gel products till the manufacturers are able to establish its safety. However, if you are one of those who have already suffered a loss because of the manufacturer’s failure to advise the consumers appropriately, then it is more than a probability that you have a very good case for claiming compensation. This article aims at providing the readers with authentic information on the Zicam lawsuit, so they are well- equipped to claim a fair compensation for their loss.

About Zicam

Zicam is an over -the-counter nasal gel and spray, manufactured by Matrixx Initiatives, Inc., and is popularly categorized as a homeopathic remedy. Zicam has galphimia glauca, histamine dihydrochloride, ICAM-1, luffa operculata, sulfer and zinc as its active constituents, and is also known as oxymetazoline nasal. Zicam nasal gels and sprays are used to treat conditions like allergy, sinus and common cold. Zicam has recently come into news for causing anosmia, a medical term used to describe a permanent loss of smell.

Eligibility to Claim compensation

If you or any of your family members have a suffered a permanent loss of sense of smell (anosmia) or loss of sense of taste, then you are very much eligible for filing a claim for compensation. It is highly recommended that you contact a Zicam litigation lawyer, so that you have a clear picture of your eligibility as well as your rights as a consumer. Not only that, a Zicam litigation attorney is the best person to be approached in such a situation, as he/she can help you with an in depth analysis of the case and can help you get a fair compensation. It is good to know that majority of the reputed Zicam attorneys do not charge any upfront fee and will be willing to take up your case on a contingency basis.

Information on the Zicam lawsuits

Till now, Matrixx Initiatives, Inc., have settled more than 340 Zicam lawsuits, and have paid over $12 billion in compensation. However, the manufacturers are yet to acknowledge a defect in the testing of the product.
If you have experienced a loss or injury because of using Zicam products, you have every right to claim compensation through Zicam lawsuits, which are defective drug claims. If you or any of your family members have suffered a loss because of Zicam, you should not hesitate to file a claim as every individual who protracts a smell and taste loss because of using Zicam products, is entitled for a settlement.

A Zicam lawsuit can get you a compensation for all the losses suffered due to the usage of Zicam nasal products, which include but are not limited to, treatment and medical costs, permanent disabilities, loss of wages and emotional difficulties.

Call us now!

If you or someone you love has been injured, please contact the McEwen Law Firm today for a free case evaluation. You may be entitled to serious monetary compensation to cover lost wages, medical expenses and more. Call us toll free today at (800) 732-3070 and talk direct with an attorney that can assist you in recovering your losses. We work on a contingency basis which means you never pay a dime – unless we win your case and recover compensation for you!

Side Effects of Zicam Cold Remedy

Zicam, the controversial over-the-counter drug, is manufactured by Matrixx Initiatives, Inc., and includes products such as Zicam Cold Remedy nasal gel, Zicam Cold Remedy Swabs, Zicam Kids Size Cold Remedy Swabs, Zicam Allergy Relief nasal gel, Zicam Extreme Congestion Relief, Zicam Sinus Relief, and Zicam Nasal Moisturizer. All of these products are used to relieve the user from the symptoms of allergic reactions, hay fever, sinus and common cold.

Zicam, an over-the-counter homeopathic drug, can be purchased without a prescription, and is known to reduce the duration of common cold in individuals. Zinc gluconate, which is an important constituent of Zicam cold remedy, is known to very effective in decongesting nasal passages. However, Zicam cold remedies have also come into negative lime-light in the recent times because of the severe side effects associated with them.

The functioning of Zicam Cold Remedy

Zicam cold remedies relieve from the symptoms of cold and sinus by compressing the blood vessels in the nasal passage of an individual. It is worth mentioning here that the constriction is not limited to the blood vessels in the nasal passage but is extended to all the blood vessels in the body. In addition to that, it reduces swelling and tenderness of the sinus as well.

Matrixx Initiatives have clearly mentioned that the use of Zicam should be limited to twice a day and that it should not be used for more than five days in a row. The manufacturers have also made it very clear that overdosing can lead to adverse side effects.

The FDA’s Recall of Zicam Products

In June 2009, the U.S Food and Drug Administration issued a warning to the manufacturers of Zicam to pull out three of its major products from the market. These products include Zicam Cold Remedy Nasal Gel, Zicam Cold Remedy Nasal Swabs and Zicam Cold Remedy Swabs (Kids Size). The FDA also warned the general public to avoid the use of these decongestants as there were several reports linking the usage of these products to some very adverse side-effects. The FDA also made it very clear that the manufacturers of Zicam did not take enough steps to inform the consumers regarding the risks and side-effects associated with it, and hence now need to establish the safety of the remedies through thorough research and testing.

Side Effects of Zicam Cold Remedy

Anosmia is undoubtedly the most known side-effect of Zicam. However, the side-effects of Zicam cold remedy also include symptoms such as headache, nausea, diarrhea, hallucinations, seizures, allergies and the emotional trauma associated with the loss of smell. Some of the cases have also reported loss of memory and taste because of the usage of Zicam nasal remedies.

If you or someone you love has been injured, please contact the McEwen Law Firm today for a free case evaluation. You may be entitled to serious monetary compensation to cover lost wages, medical expenses and more. Call us toll free today at (800) 732-3070 and talk direct with an attorney that can assist you in recovering your losses. We work on a contingency basis which means you never pay a dime – unless we win your case and recover compensation for you!

Zicam Recall Due To Loss Of Smell

Zicam, a popular brand of over the counter nasal inhalant and gel, was originally meant to shorten the duration of cold in individuals. However, this drug was soon associated with the loss of smell and taste in individuals. In fact, the FDA received almost 130 reports of loss of sense of smell and taste from different users, all of whom attributed their loss to the usage of Zicam. In quite a few cases, the loss of sense of smell and taste were observed immediately after the first use. Many of the cases also reported permanent loss of these senses. This led the FDA to declare the use of this drug as unsafe, and to ask the manufacturers to establish the safety of the drug before re-introducing it into the market.

Zicam- Lack of Thorough Testing

Matrixx Initiatives, the manufacturers of Zicam, did not conduct the testing of their products up to the required standards and it also failed to issue satisfactory warnings to the consumers about the risk associated with the usage of these products. Since Zicam is categorized as a homeopathic drug, it did not require FDA approval for its release in the market. But now after the inception of the safety issues related to these products, the FDA has made it very clear that these products would have to undergo a strict review before a re-release in the U.S market. In addition to that, FDA also appropriately warned the public to avoid the use of Zicam till its safety is reaffirmed after proper research and testing.

Zicam Can Cause Loss of Smell

The manufacturers of Zicam continue to argue that it is safe to use Zicam, however scientific views and the reports of the users say otherwise. Research reveals that intranasal zinc gluconate has the potential to destroy the olfactory nerves and hence can cause anosmia, which is the permanent loss of the sense of smell in individuals. Not only that, since the sense of smell and taste are closely related to each other, there is a high probability that the intranasal zinc gluconate can also have an adverse effect on your sense of taste which would lead to an inability to enjoy food, which in turn could lead to serious nutritional problems.

Anosmia – a Potential Threat to Life

There is no two ways about the fact that sense of smell and taste form an important life of the life of any individual. The sense of smell and taste are not only required to live and enjoy life to the fullest, but they are also essential for a safe and healthy living. A permanent loss of sense of smell makes a person more susceptible to fire and gas leakage accidents which can prove to be fatal. The loss of sense of taste makes it difficult for an individual to differentiate between fresh and spoilt food, which can inadvertently result in health problems.

More than 340 Zicam recall lawsuits have been filed against the manufacturers and these Zicam recall lawsuits have led to settlements of over twelve billion dollars till date, with a number of new cases getting added to the list on a regular basis. If you or someone you love has been injured, please contact the McEwen Law Firm today for a free case evaluation. You may be entitled to serious monetary compensation to cover lost wages, medical expenses and more. Call us toll free today at (800) 732-3070 and talk direct with an attorney that can assist you in recovering your losses. We work on a contingency basis which means you never pay a dime – unless we win your case and recover compensation for you!

Zicam Side Effects

Zicam, a homeopathic, over-the-counter decongestant, which is available as a nasal spray, a nasal gel and a nasal swab, is quite reputed for the treatment of conditions like common cold, congestion, sinus infections, allergy attacks and hay fever. In spite of the popularity of these Zicam products, the FDA issued a recall for all these products from the market as it had received hundreds of reports of its adverse side effects from the consumers who had used these Zicam remedies. This article aims at discussing the side-effects of Zicam cold remedies in brief.

Anosmia- the Most Serious Side-effect of Zicam

Anosmia is a medical condition in which an individual loses his/ her sense of smell. The loss can be long-lasting or permanent. While the affects of specific anosmia is limited to the inability to detect a particular smell or odor, general anosmia has a far-reaching affect on the quality of the life of an individual, as in this condition the individual is unable to detect all smells and odors.

Since the sense of smell is closely linked to the sense of taste and memory, it would not be an exaggeration to say that a person affected with anosmia, to a great extent, loses his ability to enjoy life to the fullest.
Anosmia also disables a person to detect potential dangers from smoke, fire and contaminated food. In majority of the cases, a person who is suffering from anosmia would require major modification in their diet; they might also require rehabilitation and serious help in the detection of poisonous gases, toxins, smoke and fire. Not to mention, the emotional trauma and stress underwent by the individual because of losing the sense of smell and taste.

Some minor side-effects of Zicam

Although anosmia remains the most severe side-effect of Zicam, in majority of the cases the side-effects are very mild and are limited to irritation and burning in the nasal cavity, diarrhea, headaches and nausea. Once these side-effects are observed immediately after the usage of Zicam, it is highly recommended that one seeks medical advice, as these mild side-effects have the potential to pave way for more serious conditions like difficulty in breathing, increased heart-rate, seizures, severe swelling of the entire face including parts like tongue and lips, atypical behavior and hallucinations.

In addition the above side-effects, Zicam cold remedy products are most likely to react with some common drugs such as Furoxone, Ismelin, Parlodel and Thorazine. Administration of any of these drugs along with Zicam can result in severe health problems. Even caffeine is believed to react negatively with Zicam and hence should be avoided.

Do Not Delay, Call Now!

If you or someone you love has been injured, please contact the McEwen Law Firm today for a free case evaluation. You may be entitled to serious monetary compensation to cover lost wages, medical expenses and more. Call us toll free today at (800) 732-3070 and talk direct with an attorney that can assist you in recovering your losses. We work on a contingency basis which means you never pay a dime – unless we win your case and recover compensation for you!

Zicam Recall Linked To Loss Of Smell

FDA - Matrixx Initiatives Inc. said Wednesday it started a previously announced recall of Zicam nasal cold remedies following last week’s Food and Drug Administration warning that the products were unsafe.

Meanwhile, the company is being investigated by the Securities and Exchange Commission over the FDA warning letter.

The Scottsdale, Ariz., company said the recall was voluntary. Still, it occurred as the FDA warned consumers to not use the nasal cold remedies due to hundreds of reports of patients losing their sense of smell. Matrixx said it disagrees with the FDA’s safety warning, but “voluntarily” recalled the product to cooperate with the regulatory agency.

The FDA also alleges the products were unlawfully marketed. Matrixx also disagrees with that allegation.

“The company is also in the process of preparing a submission to the FDA and, as previously reported, will soon ask to meet with the agency to present comprehensive scientific and medical data and analyses demonstrating that these products are safe,” Matrixx said, in a statement.

On June 16, the FDA issued the recall notice for Zicam products, which accounted for 40 percent of Matrixx’s sales last year. The regulatory agency said the products contain zinc, which could damage nerves in the nose needed for smell.

Matrixx has settled hundreds of lawsuits connected with Zicam in recent years, though it maintains the nasal spray does not harm users’ sense of smell.

Shares of Matrixx rose 3 cents to $4.86 in morning trading. The stock has lost three-quarters of its value since the FDA issued its warning last week.

Zicam Recall Lawsuit

Zicam, a popular brand of over the counter nasal inhalant and gel, was originally meant to shorten the duration of cold in individuals. However, this drug was soon associated with the loss of smell and taste in individuals.

In fact, the FDA received almost 130 reports of loss of sense of smell and taste from different users, all of whom attributed their loss to the usage of Zicam. In quite a few cases, the loss of sense of smell and taste were observed immediately after the first use. Many of the cases also reported permanent loss of these senses. This led the FDA to declare the use of this drug as unsafe, and to ask the manufacturers to establish the safety of the drug before re-introducing it into the market.

Matrixx Initiatives, the manufacturers of Zicam Cold Remedy Nasal Gel, Zicam Cold Remedy Nasal Swabs and Zicam Cold Remedy Swabs (Kids Size), did not conduct the testing of these products up to the required standards and it also failed to issue satisfactory warnings to the consumers about the risk associated with the usage of these products. Since Zicam is categorized as a homeopathic drug, it did not require FDA approval for its release in the market. But now after the inception of the safety issues related to these products, the FDA has made it very clear that these products would have to undergo a strict review before a re-release in the U.S market. In addition to that, FDA also appropriately warned the public to avoid the use of Zicam till its safety is reaffirmed after proper research and testing.

The manufacturers of Zicam continue to argue that it is safe to use Zicam, however scientific views and the reports of the users say otherwise. Research reveals that intra-nasal zinc gluconate has the potential to destroy the olfactory nerves and hence can cause anosmia, which is the permanent loss of the sense of smell in individuals. Not only that, since the sense of smell and taste are closely related to each other, there is a high probability that the intra-nasal zinc gluconate can also have an adverse effect on your sense of smell which would lead to an inability to enjoy food, which in turn could lead to serious nutritional problems.

There is no two ways about the fact that sense of smell and taste form an important life of the life of any individual. The sense of smell and taste are not only required to live and enjoy life to the fullest, but they are also essential for a safe and healthy living. A permanent loss of sense of smell makes a person more susceptible to fire and gas leakage accidents which can prove to be fatal. The loss of sense of taste makes it difficult for an individual to differentiate between fresh and spoild food, which can inadvertently result in health problems

More than 340 Zicam recall lawsuits have been filed against the manufacturers and these Zicam recall lawsuits have led to settlements of over twelve billion dollars till date, with a number of new cases getting added to the list on a regular basis.

If you or someone you love has been injured, please contact the McEwen Law Firm today for a free case evaluation. You may be entitled to serious monetary compensation to cover lost wages, medical expenses and more. Call us toll free today at (800) 732-3070 and talk direct with an attorney that can assist you in recovering your losses. We work on a contingency basis which means you never pay a dime – unless we win your case and recover compensation for you!