I was just reading this and its pretty scary! I've never taken Zicam.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090616/...ne_fda_warning

Here are a few snippets:

Consumers should stop using Zicam Cold Remedy nasal gel and related products because they can permanently damage the sense of smell, federal health regulators said Tuesday.

The FDA says about 130 consumers have reported a loss of smell after using Matrixx Initiatives' Zicam products since 1999.

A warning letter issued to Matrixx on Tuesday asked the company to stop marketing its zinc-based products, but the agency did not issue a formal recall. Instead, regulators said Matrixx would have to submit safety and effectiveness data on the drug.

Thank you for the info! My DH has used Zicam for colds for a couple years now and I know he doesn't smell things as well as I do. I'll be getting rid of the stuff we have, now.

I saw that today and had to laugh as there has already been one class action lawsuit that I know of filed against them well over a year (maybe two) ago. My best friend lost her sense of smell and it even altered her sense of taste..she says chocolate and Peanut butter taste like poo now! Glad to see that the FDA is FINALLY doing something about it.

Thank you. I didn't hear that before!

My former manager lost his sense of smell after using a nasal inhalent (can't remember the brand).

I love Zicam. I feel it has helped me avoid many colds over the years. The people who were affected sprayed the stuff up into the top part of their noses when it clearly says not to do that, but to keep it around the bottom part of your nose. I will be sad if they withdraw it from the market.