FDA Warns Certain Zicam Products Can Permanently Damage Smell

The U.S. FDA 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).

The products are:
Zicam Cold Remedy Nasal Gel
Zicam Cold Remedy Nasal Swabs
Kids Size Zicam Cold Remedy Swabs (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...