Reduces duration of common cold and helps relieve nasal congestion. Zicam® Cold Remedy was not formulated to be effective for flu or allergies.

Drug Label Information

Two forms of zinc are the active ingredient in these products. The labels will say zincum aceticum and zincum gluconicum . These are the homeopathic names for zinc acetate and zinc gluconate .

Directions

1. take 1 tablet at the onset of symptoms.
2. dissolve entire tablet in mouth. Do not chew.
3. repeat every 2 - 3 hours, not to exceed 7 tablets in 24 hours. Take until symptoms are gone.
4. to avoid minor stomach upset, do not take on an empty stomach.
5. do not eat or drink for 15 minutes after use.

Zinc is present in homeopathic medications such as Zicam® cold remedies, which are used to shorten the duration of the common cold and help relieve nasal congestion.

Ask a doctor before use if you have a sensitivity to zinc or are allergic to zinc - Stop use and ask a doctor if symptoms persist or are accompanied by a fever or new symptoms occur - If If pregnant or breast-feeding, ask a health professional before use. Keep out of reach of children.

The FDA says consumers should stop using the products immediately. The agency has sent Matrixx Initiatives, which makes Zicam, a warning letter telling it the products can no longer be marketed without FDA approval.

What is Zicam Sinus Relief? Oxymetazoline is a decongestant that shrinks blood vessels in the nasal passages. Dilated blood vessels can cause nasal congestion (stuffy nose). Zicam Sinus Relief (for the nose) is for temporary relief of nasal congestion (stuffy nose) caused by allergies or the common cold.

Zicam is completely different® from most other cold remedies because it actually shortens colds versus just temporarily relieving symptoms. These quick-dissolve tablets, made with zinc, shorten colds when taken at the first sign.

The products have no proven benefits. Matrixx has received more than 800 reports of Zicam users losing their sense of smell but did not provide those reports to the F.D.A., said Deborah M.

The most commonly reported side effects were discomfort or irritation in the nose, mouth or throat, and sneezing.

In 2009, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Health Canada advised consumers to avoid intranasal versions of Zicam Cold Remedy because of a risk of damage to the sense of smell, leading the manufacturer to withdraw these versions from the U.S. market.