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Zicam Class Action Lawsuits Information
An over the counter homeopathic medication designed to reduce
the duration of the common cold, Zicam has enjoyed great popularity since it hit
the market. Matrixx Initiatives, Inc., the company that manufactures, markets,
and sells Zicam, has enjoyed financial benefits of the drug's success. The
revenue from their line of Zicam products increased 163% in the quarter ending
September 30, 2003, totaling $13.4 million. While Zicam makes drug manufacturers
an enormous amount of money, reports continue to surface that users of Zicam are
suffering from a condition known as anosmia, or total loss of smell.
According to the lawsuits filed by various users of Zicam, it has been known for
decades that the use of intranasal zinc causes anosmia and hyposmia (partial
loss of smell). Zicam contains zinc gluconate, and the products are administered
nasally. In the late 1930s, intranasal zinc solutions were used to prevent
polio, but proved unsuccessful and in some instances caused a loss of smell.
Despite this seemingly obvious problem, Zicam and other cold remedies containing
soluble zinc are not tested by the FDA for safety or efficacy.
A Dow Jones Newswire article in February of 2004 reported that consumer
complaints about Zicam regarding zinc gluconate induced loss of smell. Matrixx
Initiative claims to be unaware of an FDA inquiry into the safety of Zicam
products and their possible side effects. Despite the company's assurances that
Zicam adheres to FDA guidelines and restrictions, lawsuits have been filed by
Zicam users against both Matrixx Initiatives and Zicam LLC.
If you or a loved one has used intranasal zinc products such as Zicam, and you
feel that negative effects were suffered as a result, you may be entitled to
restitution. Zicam's makers, lawsuits are currently claiming, acted
irresponsibly by ignoring previous evidence that intranasal zinc causes anosmia,
and marketed Zicam without sufficient warning about the possibility for this
side effect when using the remedy. An attorney who has a background in product
liability will be able to discuss Zicam and potential legal actions with you,
and can help you determine if you have an actionable case against the makers and
distributors of Zicam.
Zicam Side Effects
Recent reports have shown a growing number of people
reporting Zicam side effects such as anosmia, the total loss of smell. Although
a Dow Jones Newswire article reported an FDA investigation of reported Zicam
side effects, Matrixx Initiatives, Zicam's developers, claim to be unaware of an
FDA inquiry.
Medical evidence suggests that these Zicam side effects are directly linked to
zinc gluconate, a key ingredient in the homeopathic cold remedy. Lawsuits allege
that Zicam side effects related to the loss of smell should have been predicted,
as scientists have known for years that direct intranasal application of soluble
zinc causes loss of smell. In fact, the Zicam side effects of anosmia and
hyposmia (partial loss of smell) were reported when soluble zinc was used in an
attempt to prevent polio in the 1930s. If the creators of Zicam were aware of
the potential damage from Zicam side effects and failed to properly warn
consumers, then victims may be entitled to a large amount of money in damages.
Consumers have suffered Zicam side effects after using the remedy for varying
lengths of time. A lawsuit filed in October of 2003 claims that Zicam side
effects occurred after just one application of the product. Other variables in
Zicam side effects include the degree of loss of smell (from partial to
temporary) and the length of the loss (it can be temporary or permanent). In the
case of a lawsuit, the degree and extent of Zicam side effects may play a role
in determining the amount owed to the victim.
If you are suffering from Zicam side effects, you should immediately cease your
use of the remedy and contact an attorney. In some cases, the damage from Zicam
side effects can be irreversible, but you may be able to at least prevent
further harm. A lawyer who understands Zicam side effects and who has a
background in product liability can help you make critical legal decisions.
More Zicam Information
A growing interest in homeopathic and "natural" remedies is
reflected in the popularity of Zicam Cold Remedy, which in one quarter of 2003
alone made more than $13 million. Matrixx Initiatives, manufacturers of Zicam
Cold Remedy, have recently been accused of placing profit above consumer safety,
and an article in the Dow Jones Newswire in February of 2003 claimed that the
FDA was investigating Zicam Cold Remedy makers due to claims that users are
suffering from anosmia, or total loss of smell.
Zicam Cold Remedy comes in various forms: sprays, pumps, tablets and gel swabs.
The most popular form of Zicam Cold Remedy is the gel swabs, which prevents the
remedy from dripping out of the nasal cavity. The Zicam Cold Remedy swabs and
nasal spray are the two forms that litigators believe are responsible for
causing anosmia, as both are applied directly to the nasal tissue.
The Zicam Cold Remedy, like many other homeopathic remedies, is often mistakenly
thought to be exempt from side effects. In fact, Zicam Cold Remedy users have
reported a number of problems, the most serious among them anosmia and hyposmia
(partial smell loss). The zinc gluconate in Zicam Cold Remedy is most likely
responsible for the loss of smell-researchers have known since the 1930s that
intranasal use of soluble zinc causes anosmia and hyposmia.
If the makers of Zicam Cold Remedy are found to have previous knowledge of these
side effects, and to have failed to warn the users and potential users of Zicam
Cold Remedy about those side effects, then the manufacturers can be held liable.
If you or a loved one has used Zicam Cold Remedy and noticed adverse effects,
you should contact an attorney who has experience in drug litigation. Makers of
Zicam Cold Remedy may be responsible to pay for the cost of any medical
treatment, pain and suffering, and punitive damages, among other monies.
For more free legal information on known dangerous drugs and Class Action Lawsuits, please use the
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