Throw Out Your Zicam, and Rethink Other Alternative Cold Remedies

Zicam Works for Me!

I'm really concerned reading this article ... and after reading many of the comments I see I'm not alone in how I feel ...

I have used Zicam a few times with no negative side effects, and although I agree a loss of smell would be terrible, most of the medication I have ever been prescribed or taken over the counter has far more severe side effects. I don't trust the FDA to make a decision without the influence of the pharmaceutical industry, and so don't trust their warnings.

I have tried multiple herbal or non-medical remedies for sickness, and not all of them work as well as a dose of even an over the counter drug, but in my experience Zicam has worked for me. I'm really bummed now, because I was on the way to the store to get some for the cold that is starting ....:(

PS - I also haven't read US News in a long time, but with this article I doubt I'll be starting anytime soon.

Allergic reaction

I just recently bought the mouth spray of Zicam at the recommendation of a colleague. I had a sore throat and chest pains and was afraid I might be coming down with the H1N1. After the first use at night, I felt much better the next day and was singing its praises. I used it again in the morning and at night. On the second day I came home with an itchy rash around my waist and that night I woke up in the middle of the night with the palms of my hands itching like crazy. They were red and swollen. I thought this was due to other health issues I was dealing with. Well, during the second day my eyes started to itch like crazy and then swelled up to the point of being closed shut. Everyone around me deduced that I was having an allergic reaction to something. It most definitely was the Zicam. The doctors told me to go to an emergency room, but I opted for benedryl. The swollen eyes are still with me, but the itching has stopped. I am throwing out the Zicam and telling everyone I know to forget the good things I said about it.

Zicam

I used Zicam for years with no ill effects. Maybe the users overused the product or maybe they just want to fire-up a lawsuit. The FDA is in the pocket of Big Pharma so I'm sure that Johnson & Johnson or another company will soon come out with the same product but endorsed by the FDA. Bah, Humbug.

I will truly miss Zicam nasal gel.

Oral Mist Zicam

I have used the Zicam swabs for some time and found they really worked coupled with Vitaman C and I miss them terribly, although would hate to lose my sense of smell. But for anyone who doesnt want to lose thier sense of taste DO NOT use the Oral Mist product. Granted it was only 24 hours I couldnt taste but that was about 23 hours too long for me. It left a horrible after taste for that time also. I threw it away after the first dose thouroghly disgusted and angry. They should put warning labels on products about ALL side effects!! I have NEVER posted on a site before but I felt compelled to warn anyone who considers using this oral product.

Zicam works and this is the FDA doing Big Pharma a Favor

I have used the nasal swabs, and they stop a developing cold in its tracks. You don't shove the swab way up your nose either, as I suspect some of these people who say they loss their sense of smell probably did. However, I am a former Pharmaceutical representative and my sister is a R.Ph. and I am highly suspicious that the efficacy of this product was impinging on Big Pharma's sales of cold medications. Having worked for a highly unethical pharmaceutical company, I can tell you one of my bosses flat out had us stretch the truth quite a bit on off label prescribing and joked, 'If someone from the FDA questions you, just torch the company car and your notes/binders of information.' I believe that there are many good prescription drugs on the market, but I know that there is a lot of pressure on those companies to turn a profit.

So I will buy this product anywhere I can, overseas if necessary. Or possibly a naturopathic doctor (or an enlightened MD/DO) could write a prescription for a compounding pharmacy to fill. I also use Cold-Eze Zinc lozenges along with the swabs.

Zicam ROCKS

PPl are so insane. Alcohol and Cigerettes are way worse and guess what? we allow millions of americans to die from those products a year. what the Fudge is wrong with american pharm? they are lame and dont deserve anymore money from any of us. my husbands diabetic and they boost up the cost of meds for that also, because they KNOW he cant live without it. retards..

FDA AND ZICAM

THATS FUNNY HOW THE FDA CAN ALLOW DRUGS WITH 10 TIMES THE SIDE EFFECTS INCLUDING CHANCES OF DIEING.THE FDA IS SO BOUGHT AND PAYED FOR.ZICAM COMES WITH ONE SIDE EFFECT AND THEY PULL IT FROM THE MARKET

I VUSED IT AND THE SIDE EFFECT MINIMAL AND DOSENT LAST. THE FDA IS SO FULL OF IT UP TO THERE EARS...

Zicam

i have been using Zicam for years with no ill effects. Before this product came on the market I made my own nasal flush containing zinc after learning of its effectiveness in treating sore throats. The active ingredient in Zicam is zinc, period. I find it very unlikely that a small dose of this mineral could affect ones ability to smell.

It is well documented that smoking cigarettes diminish ones ability to smell. Lets ban them immediately, and that will solve many of our nasal irritation problems. Especially for us non-smokers.

BTW, I only came in contact with this article as I was doing a web search about Zicam to see what had happened when I couldn't find it in stores. Having not seen or read US News in many years, the tone of this ridiculous article gives me the impression that US News is the precursor to Fox News, the "fair and balanced, if you happen to be a radical right-wing, still born christian, conservative news channel."

Zicam Gel

I agree with the majority of comments here. I think the FDA challenge was at the behest of big pharma becuase this stuff works! I have been a user since the product came on the market and have never seen any idication of snesory impairment. Anyone know if you can get this stuff overseas?

Zicam

All the "hype" about Zicam is exactly that... It is a miracle remedy for me... My colds that use to last sometimes up to two weeks, now at the most last 2 or 3 days. I love Zicam. I think the media has got a hold of this so that the other pharmaceutical companies could still make all the billions they make on their own cold remedies.