This Week, the Food & Drug Administration (FDA) announced warnings for Zicam Cold remedy Nasal Gel and Nasal Swabs as well as for Singulair, an asthma/allergy medication.
In order of severity, Singulair has been said to be associated with agitation, aggression, suicidal ideation, depression, insomnia and irritability. Zicam, on the other hand, has been associated with anosmia (loss of smell). Not nearly as funny as it sounds.
Merk, makers of Singulair remained confident in the safety of Singulair but accepted an FDA label change to include “psychiatric events.” Matrixx Initiatives, makers of Zicam launched the, “No-one ever told us” defense to the warnings followed by the, “Hey people with colds can’t smell” parry. Zicam has previously been targeted in lawsuits alleging fraud in the marketing of it’s product.
To borrow from Animal House, “Ineffective and potentially deleterious is no way to go through life.” Take with caution and please call your doctor.
posted by David Marc Schwadron, Esq.
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