Jun 16, 2009 11:03 pm US/Central
MN Man Feels Vindication For Zicam FDA Warning
(WCCO)
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The Food and Drug Administration said people should stop using Zicam because the zinc inside can hurt nerves in your nose.
CBS
A Minnesota man says he feels vindicated by a government warning about a popular cold remedy. Two years ago, Quint Bridenstine said he lost his sense of smell after using Zicam nasal spray.
The Food and Drug Administration said people should stop using Zicam because the zinc inside can hurt nerves in your nose.
"This is something that probably should have happened a few years back," said Bridenstine.
He said his loss of smell after using Zicam is not in vain now that the government is warning people to stop using it.
"Clearly, this is going to benefit consumers," said Bridentine's attorney, Anthony Nemo.
Zicam's manufacturer, Matrixx Initiatives, is defending the safety of the product but may pull it from store shelves.
Nemo said the company had no choice but to act on behalf of consumers.
The FDA says the cold remedy was never formally approved because its part of a small group of remedies that contain, herbs, minerals and flowers and aren't required to get federal review.
The FDA didn't issue a formal recall but instead it says the company will now have to seek FDA approval because of safety issues. Some doctors say it may be hard for the company to get that approval.
Bridenstine tried to sue Matrixx Initiatives a couple years ago but there wasn't enough expert analysis to prove his case.
Now that the FDA says Zicam can hurt our sense of smell, Bridenstine may try again.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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