Dermatology Archive

Health Tip:

FDA urges consumers
to stop using
Zicam Nasal Spray

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is alerting consumers 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 (referred to as anosmia).  These products, marketed by Matrixx Initiatives, are zinc-containing, nasal cold remedies used to reduce the duration and severity of cold symptoms.  However, these products have not been shown to be effective in the reduction of the duration and severity of cold symptoms.

This advisory does not concern oral zinc tablets and lozenges taken by mouth.

FDA recommends that consumers stop using these products and throw them away.  See the FDA website for How to Dispose of Unused Medicines