What is Zicam? Why is Zicam Being Recalled?

Zicam is a popular over the counter cold remedy that comes as a nasal gel or nasal swabs. The Food and Drug Administration urged consumers on June 16^th, 2009 to no longer use the popular Zicam because of the possible loss of sense of smell.

Numerous Zicam complaints have forced the Food and Drug Administration to reevaluate the over the counter cold remedy and have told the company behind Zicam to halt all marketing efforts unless it applies for reevaluation.

In addition, the company will reimburse consumers for their Zicam products due to the FDA's decision.

The problems with Zicam forced a 70% dip in Matrixx stock, the producer of Zicam.

Since this is one of the company's best selling products, this may hurt their quarter returns.

Zicam is a representation of the under-regulated homeopathy market. Homeopathy is home-based and alternative treatments. Oftentimes, homeopathy treatments, such as the over-the-counter Zicam, state on the packaging that their claims have not been validated by the FDA. One wonders, then, how they can go forward with making such bold claims if they cannot be properly vetted by the FDA.

Once again, we see a product such as Zicam on the shelves and many people believe that it is safe, when, in fact, it can cause permanent harm to the consumer.

This serves as a word of warning, not just to the users of Zicam, but to all consumers about the safety of homeopathic remedies (such as St. John's Wort and Fish Oil pills).

Although they claim evidence to the contrary, studies have not proven any scientific proof of their claims, otherwise they would go through proper FDA channels.

So, if you do have Zicam sitting on some shelf, time to toss it in the trash. You may also want to consider getting rid of any of your other homeopathic treatments and help force this industry to perform to certain standards.