Zicam users have been complaining to the FDA and to Zicam's manufacturer since 1999, but their complaints were only validated yesterday, when the Federal Drug Administration issued a consumer alert regarding Zicam use and the possibility of anosmia.
I read about the link between Zicam and anosmia several years ago, and have been avoiding the product ever since. Years ago I had a friend who suffered from anosmia, and believe me, that is nothing that you want. When you were a kid, did you ever do that science experiment where you plug your nose and take a bite of a potato and a bite of an apple? With your nose plugged, you can't tell the difference between them. That's what life is like, for anosmia sufferers. Losing your sense of smell has a subtle but profound impact on your quality of life. Frankly, risking anosmia in order to lessen cold symptoms failed the cost benefit analysis for me.
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