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Throw Out Your Zicam, and Rethink Other Alternative Cold Remedies

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I have used Zicam from the time swabs were introduced switching to the spray when it became available. I have always been able to sense the onset of a cold. Before Zicam, I simply caught cold. Immediate use of Zicam prevented s cold in my case in all instances.
Now I have my first cold in years. I do not recommend overuse of the nasal product since this does irritate the nasal membranes. overuse of course always happens to an effective product and initiates their destruction and loss to the suffers. I notice the initiators of this problem are unable to recommend an alternative product because we know there is none. Years ago we learned loading up on Vitamin C didn't work.
Now we are left with: grab a box of tissue and go to bed with a gallon of water nearby.

Paul Pearson of OR 12:23AM December 02, 2009

If you don;t like ti stop using it, it works and that's the bottom line.

yes of FL 8:28AM December 01, 2009

Is there any problems with using the throat suckers...?

John Lindell of FL 7:27PM November 30, 2009

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.

Jessica of CA 11:35AM November 18, 2009

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.

Loraine Dunn of MA 2:01PM November 13, 2009

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.

Kittra of CA 6:11PM November 12, 2009

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.

Roni of IL 1:37PM November 10, 2009

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.

Lindan Moya of AZ 1:36PM November 10, 2009

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..

Jenny T of MT 11:01PM November 09, 2009

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...

MAX VOGAN of MT 7:12AM November 08, 2009