Cold Remedy Blamed For Loss Of Taste, Smell
POSTED: Thursday, February 9, 2006
UPDATED: 5:30 pm EST February 15,
2006
A Central Florida woman along with hundreds of others claim a popular over-the-counter cold remedy has caused them to lose their ability to smell and taste, according to a Problem Solvers investigation.The report featured Orlando resident Patty Whittaker who said she lost her sense of taste and smell in December."What's it like having lunch today?" Problem Solver Tony Pipitone said."Well, just like any other meal I've had since," Whittaker said. "I think it tastes good, but I can't say I really enjoyed it."Whittaker's anosmia began after she took a dose of Zicam's No Drip Liquid Nasal Gel.The product is an over-the-counter homeopathic product, meaning it can be marketed like a drug. It promises to reduce the duration and severity of colds without undergoing the rigorous approval process that faces prescription drugs.Whittaker told Local 6 News that it burned when she tried the product.
"Excruciating, very excruciating," Whittaker said. "In fact, I started tearing, you know, after I had taken it, it started burning."Whittaker said she was unable to inhale through her nostrils so she went to sleep.The next morning, Whittaker said she could not smell or taste anything.Local 6 News recently learned that Whittaker is one of hundreds of users of Zicam who have complained they lost their senses after taking the product.The gel's manufacturer told Local 6 that there is no evidence linking Zicam to anosmia. It described parts of a study that does suggest a link as "useless," "unsubstantiated" and "misleading," Pipitone reported.However, without admitting liability, the company last month agreed to pay $12 million to more than 300 users who apparently lost their senses after taking Zicam, according to Pipitone.Whittaker had no idea of the complaints until she Googled Zicam. She noticed a listing of "have you been injured by Zicam.""I can't speak for others, but I feel strongly about the fact that, if I had not taken Zicam, I would be able to smell and taste at this point, which I can't now," Whittaker said.A Zicam representative told Pipitone that of the 10 million or so people who have taken the product, only a few hundred claim damage. And some people with cold viruses can lose their senses for reasons unrelated to Zicam.Watch Local 6 News for more on this story.
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