Stop using three Zicam intranasal zinc products, FDA warns.

Consumers should stop using and discard three zinc-containing cold remedies marketed by Zicam, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) warned today.

The agency issued the warning after receiving more than 130 reports of people losing their sense of smell after using the products.

Zicam intranasal zinc products are widely sold in pharmacies, other retail stores, and on the Internet and are administered through the nose.

The three zinc-containing products listed in the FDA warning are:

• Zicam Cold Remedy Nasal Gel (15mL, NDC 62750-003-10)
   
• Zicam Cold Remedy Swabs (20 swabs, NDC 67250-003-20)
   
• Zicam Cold Remedy Swabs, Kids Size (20 swabs, NDC 67250-003-21)

Some of these products have been discontinued, but FDA officials are concerned that consumers may still have them in their homes.

“FDA has special concerns regarding use of intranasal zinc in children. Children may experience a loss of sense of smell but may be less likely to communicate the condition,” the FDA said.

“FDA recommends they contact their health care professional if they experience loss of sense of smell or other problems after using any zinc-containing products that are administered into the nose.”

FDA press release:

Warnings on Three Zicam Intranasal Zinc Products

Intranasal products are administered through the nose.

What products are affected by this warning?

FDA’s action affects Zicam’s three intranasal products that contain zinc. The three Zicam products claim to reduce the duration of the common cold and the severity of cold symptoms.

The products (listed with their size and product numbers) are

• Zicam Cold Remedy Nasal Gel (15mL, NDC 62750-003-10)
• Zicam Cold Remedy Swabs (20 swabs, NDC 67250-003-20)
• Zicam Cold Remedy Swabs, Kids Size (20 swabs, NDC 67250-003-21)

The Zicam intranasal zinc products are widely sold in pharmacies, other retail stores, and on the Internet. Zicam Cold Remedy Swabs, Kids Size, has already been discontinued, but FDA is concerned that consumers may have the product in their home. FDA has special concerns regarding use of intranasal zinc in children. Children may experience a loss of sense of smell but may be less likely to communicate the condition.

Why did FDA take action?

The agency has received more than 130 reports of anosmia—the loss of sense of smell—associated with use of these three Zicam products.

Many people who experienced a loss of sense of smell say that the condition occurred with the first dose, although some people have reported loss of sense of smell after later doses. FDA is concerned that the loss of sense of smell may be permanent.

What steps did FDA take?

• FDA issued a public health advisory warning consumers to stop using and discard or return the Zicam zinc-containing intranasal products.

• The agency sent a warning letter to Matrixx Initiatives advising the firm that these products cannot be marketed without FDA approval. The warning letter also states that the products do not include adequate warnings about the risk of loss of sense of smell.

What should consumers do if they experience harm related to these products?
FDA recommends they contact their health care professional if they experience loss of sense of smell or other problems after using any zinc-containing products that are administered into the nose.

The agency asks health care professionals and consumers to report possible cases of loss of sense of smell or other problems after use of these products to FDA through the MedWatchprogram, either online or by phone at 1-800-FDA-1088.

This article appears on FDA’s Consumer Updates page, which features the latest on all FDA-regulated products.