Weitz & Luxenberg Lawyers Highlight Study on Danger of Certain Zicam Products
2009-11-18 15:57:03 -
Weitz & Luxenberg P.C. : ( www.weitzlux.com : ) would like to alert the public to growing scientific evidence that use of nasal : cold remedies with zinc such as Zicam : may have a devastating effect on smell, one of the vital five senses.
Now comes yet another study finding
Zicam could cause loss of smell : or “anosmia,” which, in turn, can negatively impact a person’s ability to taste.
“Many of our clients believed the FDA had evaluated Zicam before it reached the market,” said Weitz & Luxenberg : partner Robert Gordon. “In fact, Zicam products were not regulated or approved by the FDA because they were listed as homeopathic treatments that use natural ingredients. Mounting evidence from the scientific community is proving Zicam with zinc should never have been sold. Some trusting users are now paying a price with their health.”
So-called “homeopathic” intranasal products marketed to treat the common cold : , sinus pressure and allergies are highly popular with consumers, this despite the many unanswered questions about their safety and effectiveness. This troubling fact prompted researchers at the University of Washington to investigate Zicam, as well as several other common nasal sprays : , to determine their impact.
“Zicam-Induced Damage to Mouse and Human Nasal Tissue,” published in the October 2009 issue of PLosOne, examined short- and long-term effects of several popular intranasal products, including: Afrin, Nasacort, lidocaine and epinephrine, which are often used by physicians, and one homeopathic zinc-based product, Zicam. Only one of these was found to significantly disrupt the sense of smell.
“Our results demonstrate that Zicam : use could irreversibly damage mouse and human nasal tissue and my lead to significant smell dysfunction,” the research group concluded.
These finding come on the heels of other similar scientific reports, as well as a warning letter the Food and Drug Administration sent on June 16, 2009 to Zicam maker Matrixx Initiatives, Inc. stating, “A significant and growing body of evidence substantiates that the Zicam Cold Remedy intranasal products may pose a serious risk to consumers who use them.”
The FDA issued a recall : , alerting the public that Zicam Cold Remedy Nasal Gel, Zicam Cold Remedy Nasal Swabs, and Zicam Cold Remedy Swabs, Kids Size, a discontinued product that consumers may still have in their homes, have all been associated with long-lasting or permanent loss of smell.
Since the introduction of Zicam Cold Remedy Nasal Gel to the market in 1999, FDA has received more than 130 reports of anosmia associated with the use of Zicam zinc-containing intranasal products. Many people state that the loss of sense of smell occurred with the first dose of the Zicam product, although some people report it happened after later doses.
People who have been harmed by Zicam : may obtain a free review of their case at www.weitzlux.com :
About Weitz & Luxenberg P.C. :
Weitz & Luxenberg : , founded in 1986, is one of the leading plaintiffs' litigation law firms in America. The firm has played leading roles in national and local litigations involving mesothelioma : and asbestos-related lung cancer : , as well as defective medicines and medical devices such as shoulder pain : pumps, Stryker hip implants : , Zimmer Durom : Hip implants, Heparin : , Advanced Bionics cochlear implants : , Hydroxycut : , denture cream with zinc : and Zicam : , and general negligence and medical malpractice : , among others. A forerunner in the legal fight against polluters, Weitz & Luxenberg has worked with clients harmed by the TVA coal : ash sludge spill in Tennessee, industrial de-greasers PCE/ TCE : in groundwater and indoor air, the gasoline additive MTBE : in water supply wells, and PERC : /PCE in coal float-sink : test operations.
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