Complain about a product or service

Zicam

Gina of Essex, MD October 1, 2009

In the winter of 2006 and the spring of 2007 I used the Zicam nasal gel on and off periodically during my work day as I am a public servant and come in contact with the public going into their houses on a daily basis. I used Zicam gel as a preventative agent and when I felt any cold symptoms coming on in hopes of preventing full blown sickness. Eventually I did get sick with a terrible a sinus/allergy/cold/brochitis combination that left me sick for weeks in May 2007. I was on a lot of prescribed medicines for allergy, coughing and eventually antibiotics and at the same time using Zicam gel. I can remember the day that I realized I lost some sense of taste because I made a public nusiance of myself at a conference. I had just finished a strong antibiotic pack a few days before and felt better that day. We were served soft drinks out of cans with plastic cups. The soft drink tasted so bad I thought that the ice machine had been cleaned with PineSol cleaner and had gotten into the ice. So I poured it out and tried the Pepsi straight out of the can and it tasted the same-like club soda and Pine-Sol. After that day I noticed other strange smells and I went to the doctor some but he could not tell me exactly what caused it or if I would ever be atime later and told her I felt that it was a medicine combination that caused me to lose sense of smell and taste. I was referred to a specialist and he told me my sinus cavity was fine and I did not have sinus blockages or problems. He said it was probably nerve endings that died ble to taste and smell correctly again.

Eileen of Atlanta, GA September 11, 2009

I began using Zicam Nasal Swabs as I left the US for travel 11/2008 and used it a few times during the following week. No issues at that time. I again began using the swabs 3/2009 to prevent colds and flus since I work in a large Human Resources department and this would hopefully ward off any airborn illnesses that I come into cantact with.

I used an entire box from early March until mid April 2009 when I realized I could not smell even strong aromas like coffee brewing or garlic sauteing or could I tell what the smell was from using Purell hand sanitizers or my favorite chewing gum. I thought it was due to my having bronchitis during the month of April but then my smell never returned and it is now Sept 11 and I still cannot distinguish between most flavors or smells which has me very upset since I cannot enjoy the pleasure of eating !!! Only on 9/05 did I discover it was all from Zicam since a family member at a reunion asked me if I had been taking Zicam and told me the products had been pulled.

I do not know the future outcome of this problem but even this morning 9/11/2009 I could not tell what the flavor was from peanut butter on toast that I had for breakfast. So this tells you I can't determine even strong smells and tastes as to actually what they are. I am pretty upset by the whole matter and don't know where to turn or how do I go about reviving the tissue in my nose to regain the normal function of smell and taste.

Kris of Carpentersville, IL August 30, 2009

I used ZICAM's Allergy Relief nasal spray and Cold Remedy swabs for over a year. May of 2009 I noticed my sense of smell was gone. I could not smell anything. then when I heard the news about ZICAM's products, I stopped using their products. However my sense of smell is still gone.

Ron of new baltimore, MI August 17, 2009

I used numerous Zicam products from the fall of 2007 to the spring of 2008 for cold symptoms. I noticed in May that my sense of smell and taste were severely distored and went to my doctor. I was referred to a specialist who ran blood tests, x-rays, MRI, CT scan etc in an attempt to determine the cause. I still have the zicam containers

Donna of Leonard, TX August 7, 2009

Used ZICAM nasal gel, swabs and oral spray for the past six years. Lost 50-75% of smell and taste.

henry of mesena , GA July 19, 2009

After remain so using zicam cold remedy the inside of my nose became sore and my sense of smell was impaired and still to date.

Elise of Riverdale, NY July 10, 2009

I have used Zicam on and off over the years however in July 2008 when I moved into an apartment in NY my nose was stuffy, I was sneezing constantly and had post-nasal drip. I do not or did not until that move have any allergies except towards cats. That said, around April of this year I began taking regular doses of Zicam to help eliminate what I thought to be new sinus or allergy symptoms due to the pollen and pollution. After twice daily using the Zicam nasal spray with two spritzes in each nostril I have lost my sense of smell. I cannot smell the difference between roses and basil, from oregano to bleach powder.

Karen of Montville, NJ July 10, 2009

In 2005, after using the gel for a period of time I lost sense of smell then smelled things not there-like something burning. Consulted my ENT doc who examined me, said probably Zicam. Prescribed a course of steroids which helped but my sense of smell has never been the same. Sometimes strong smell will stay with me long after the source is gone and there seems to be no help for this. It's very disturbing. Sometimes, out of nowhere, I will smell something in my nose for no reason at all. I do not have allergies, never smoked and never used cocaine or other illegal substances in my nose.

Al of Gaithersburg, MD March 12, 2008

Our entire family now believes Zicam is using deceptive advertising to sell it's liquid Multi-Symptom Cold & Flu medications. We purchased both the daytime and nighttime bottles because our kids really dislike the tastes of other liquid brands. Zicam claims to be 'virtually tasteless when added to any beverage' - HA! You can mix that stuff with anything imaginable, but trying to choke down the first sip is quite another story...disgusting doesn't begin to describe it.

Total waste of money buying these 2 bottles of false advertising!

Susan of Yardley, PA March 7, 2007

I have lost my sense of smell and taste and am really depressed