I've never used Zicam. I know some people who swear by the stuff. I always find it difficult to feel any pity for a pharmaceutical company. However,if it works, i like having it available. Apparently it has caused 300 people to lose their sense of smell,and/or taste. Hmm.

*Zicam Maker Settles Lawsuit Over Users' Loss Of Smell

300 People Claim Nasal Spray Causes Loss Of Taste, Smell

POSTED: 11:44 am MST January 20, 2006

UPDATED: 6:57 pm MST January 20, 2006

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A corporation that was the subject of a 7NEWS investigation has agreed to settle a massive lawsuit.

Matrixx Corp. makes the cold remedy Zicam. In 2004, 7NEWS Investigators revealed that some people who used Zicam's zinc nasal spray lost their sense of smell and taste.

On Friday, Matrixx agreed to pay $12 million in settlement awards and other charges to the 300 people who were part of a class-action lawsuit. Matrixx said that will cover about 90 percent of the outstanding claims.

Millions of people have used the nasal spray containing zinc gluconate, and most have not had any problems. However, 7NEWS found that hundreds of people who have used the product also felt an intense burning sensation in their nose, and subsequently lost their sense of smell.

At the University of Colorado Taste and Smell Clinic, Dr. Bruce Jafek continues to hear from patients who claim zinc gluconate has robbed them of their sense of smell.

"Approximately one (person) a week or one every other week contacts us with regard to evaluation or advice or who to see," Jafek said.

The maker of Zicam disputes such complaints, claiming its panel of experts has found its spray can't even reach the nasal tissue where it could cause loss of smell.

"The spray itself has a long reach, it will go clear to the ceiling, whereas the smell tissue in the nose is four inches in or a little bit less. So, certainly, in most people's noses this will reach the smell tissue very easily," Jafek said.

Matrixx Corp., while not admitting any fault, is paying $12 million to settle the claims.*