Zicam lawyers are reviewing lawsuits for loss of smell and taste
According to an article in the Arizona Republic, the manufacturer of Zicam currently faces over 400 lawsuits from users who lost their sense of smell or taste after using the popular cold relief nasal gel. The Zicam lawyers at Saiontz & Kirk, P.A. are reviewing potential lawsuits for users who have experienced permanent damage to their sense of smell or taste.
Zicam is an over-the-counter homeopathic drug, which is designed to reduce the length and potency of cold and flu symptoms. It is sold as a nasal spray or swab, which places zinc gluconate into the nose. High doses of zinc could permanently injure the nasal cavity, leading to impaired sense of smell as well as taste.
Matrixx Initiatives, Inc., the manufacturer of Zicam, deny that any danger is associated with their cold remedy despite the fact that they settled 340 Zicam lawsuits in January 2006 for $12 million. The company continues to sell the nasal gel without proper warnings and precautions, and users continue to suffer damage to their ability to smell and taste, known as anosmia.
The FDA has received over 200 complaints from users of Zicam, but regulation of homeopathic over-the-counter products is much less stringent than for prescription drugs. The manufacturer has not been held to the same standard that pharmaceutical companies must meet to gain FDA approval, and some experts indicate that additional testing and study should be required.
Anosmia is a serious and irreversible disorder which affects over 2 million Americans. There have been multiple studies on the correlation between a loss of smell and a high rate of innjuries or accidents. As a result of the impaired sense of smell or taste, injuries have been linked to individuals failing to detect gas leaks, fires, spoiled foods or problems while cooking.
If you, a friend or family member suffered damage to your sense of smell or taste after using Zicam, you may qualify for a potential claim. To review your claim with a Zicam lawyer, request a free claim evaluation.
