Study Links Zinc Nose Sprays, Loss of Smell

?July 20, 2010 — Just over a year ago, the FDA warned that zinc-containing intranasal cold remedies might cause loss of sense of smell.
Now a researcher who has long argued that the sprays were harmful says he has scientific evidence to back up the claim.
Last summer, the FDA warned consumers to stop using three zinc-containing Zicam products: Zicam Cold Remedy Nasal Gel, Zicam Cold Remedy Swabs, and Zicam Cold Remedy Swabs for kids. The federal regulators cited 130 reports of loss of sense of smell among users of the products.
Zicam manufacturer Matrixx Initiatives pulled the three products from the shelves, but the company maintains that there is no link between their use and loss of smell.
In the newly reported analysis, researchers applied a statistical method used to establish a cause-and-effect link between an environmental exposure and development of a disease in an effort to confirm that zinc-containing nasal products can cause loss of sense of smell, known medically as anosmia.
University of California, San Diego professor Terence M. Davidson, MD, says the analysis supports the hypothesis.
He adds that the effectiveness of zinc-containing products for preventing or shortening the duration of colds has never been proven.
“Given that they do absolutely no good for colds and given that there is potential for harm, I see no point in putting any zinc gluconate products in the nose,” Davidson tells WebMD.
Zinc Sprays and Smell Loss
The analysis included 25 patients treated at the University of California, San Diego Nasal Dysfunction Clinic, which Davidson directs, who experienced loss of smell after using zinc nasal sprays or swabs to prevent or treat colds.
Along with colleague Wendy M. Smith, MD, Davidson applied the nine-point Bradford Hill causation environmental exposure statistical measure to assess the probability that the cold-remedy use caused the loss of sense of smell.
In lawsuits brought by Zicam users, Matrixx has maintained that loss of smell resulted from colds or sinus conditions and not use of the zinc-based nasal products.
Upper respiratory infections and nasal and sinus disease are major causes of both temporary and permanent loss of smell and diminished sense of smell.
Davidson says many of his patients and others with suspected zinc-induced smell loss reported intensely painful burning in the nose when they used the products. This was followed by loss of smell within several hours.
“This is a pain that brings people to their knees,” he says. “And soon after they get over the pain, they realize they can’t smell their coffee. This is very different from viral-induced anosmia.”
Study Links Zinc Nose Sprays, Loss of SmellOriginally from: http://www.nursinglink.monster.com/news/articles/15359-study-links-zinc-nose-sprays-loss-of-smell

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