Throw Out Your Zicam, and Rethink Other Alternative Cold Remedies

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Zinc in the nose thought to help children against polio had the same effect of permanently destroying smell in a small percentage of children. This is about corporate greed you are right, but it is corporate greed to sell something that has been known to disable people for over a century. These lawsuits have been around for well over 5 years giving company chance to take responsibility and put safety before money.

Research and see for yourself, about the polio connection. Marketing this substance as 'homeopathic' is even worse. Homeopathy is not something I particularly believe in but it's certainly not damaging - it's just water with a tiny drop of some substance that's been diluted a thousand times so that none of the substance is even left, just leaving its 'energy traces'. That's not zicam.

Lelu of CA 6:04PM June 16, 2009

I have zycam in my medicine cabinet. I have used it in the past with great results. I am very suspicious of the FDA and its intentions. If they got complaints as far as 1999, what the heck took them 10 years to investigate? Idiots....

Jacqui of CA 6:02PM June 16, 2009

A former boss convinced me years ago that Zicam was the best product on the market to take when feeling a cold coming on. I tried the tablets and, sure enough, they greatly lessened my cold symptoms, with no side effects. And I'm not going to stop taking it because of this over-exaggerated response to a natural remedy that is effective, inexpensive, requires no prescription, and is available anywhere. Don't panic!

Linda of NM 5:57PM June 16, 2009

" From personal experience I have benefitted far more from alternative medicines when I have been sick than I ever did from FDA approved stuff."

Chances are if you got a relative to buy you a placebo, you would have the same effect as most "alternative medicines."

Placebo Pal of ME 5:54PM June 16, 2009

Seriously...the drug companies rely on moronic and blind lunacy like yours. Couldn't you have written about the MILLIONS of our kids who have been taking FDA-and-Doctor-approved drugs like ADHD meds...instead of walking in step with the pharmaceutical compaies?

What a loon.

Kevin P. Miller of OH 5:53PM June 16, 2009

this is a total crock. nothing has been proved and it's an attempt to discredit more natural alternatives to the drugs and vaccines. it's all about corporate greed and population control.

Steven Fields of CA 5:53PM June 16, 2009

I used the product for years with great results. Then, this February I used the nasal spray as I have many times before. I haven't smelled (or tasted) much of anything since. I'm a born skeptic, but I hate to admit that these Zicam claims appear (at least in my case) to be legit.

Bill of IL 5:47PM June 16, 2009

I lost my sense of smell after using Zicam to treat a cold in 2006. Not being able to smell is not something to take lightly. I've seen comment after comment from people making jokes about this situation. I can assure you, it's very serious.

I no longer use ANY product made by Matrixx. They settled a Class Action lawsuit relating to this issue, did not have to admit any fault, made one change to the packaging and kept on raking in the money. It's B.S.

I only wish the FDA had stepped in earlier. Maybe I'd still be able to enjoy a nice red wine, or the smell of cookies baking, or be able to tell when the milk has gone sour or the pilot light on the gas stove has gone out.

Leeroy of CA 5:46PM June 16, 2009

I will take the risk...it is absolutely fantastic, I use it a couple times a year and can't believe how great it works!! Unfortunately, hasn't made me stop smelling the reek of my husbands sneakers!!

zicam queen of MI 5:40PM June 16, 2009

This is the stupidest article that I have ever read. Why would Zicam's problems lead you to throw out completely unrelated products? Did you throw out all the regulated drugs when Vioxx, Crestor, Avandia, etc were recalled? You don't say a word about all of the problems the FDA has. You have been sadly duped by propaganda from the major drug companies that don't want cheaper alternative medicines curing the public and making it healthier. From personal experience I have benefitted far more from alternative medicines when I have been sick than I ever did from FDA approved stuff.

John of TX 5:32PM June 16, 2009

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On Women

Deborah Kotz, senior writer for U.S. News & World Report, covers everything women care about when it comes to their health. She's often tapping out "Oprah-esque" confessions about how the latest news relates to her personally—whether it's on breast cancer, contraception or easing work-family stress.

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