The FDA is advising people to discontinue using 3 Zicam Nasal Gel/Nasal Swab cold remedies because they’re associated with the loss of sense of smell that may be long-lasting or permanent.

More than 130 reports associate this side effect with using Zicam products. In many people it occurred with the first dose, while others reported the loss of olfaction after multiple uses of the products.

The bottom line?
If this has happened to you, contact your healthcare professional. Loss of the sense of smell can adversely affect a your quality of life and limit your ability to detect the smell of gas, smoke, or other signs of danger in the environment.

Here is a list of the products, with their size and product numbers.

  • Zicam Cold Remedy Nasal Gel (15 mL, NDC 62750-003-10)
  • Zicam Cold Remedy Swabs (20 swabs, NDC 67250-003-20)
  • Zicam Cold Remedy Swabs, Kids Size (20 swabs, NDC 67250-003-21)

6/15/09 13:23 JR

Hi, I’m JR

John Russo, Jr., PharmD, is president of The MedCom Resource, Inc. Previously, he was senior vice president of medical communications at www.Vicus.com, a complementary and alternative medicine website.