Zicam Allergy Relief (Gel Swabs) is a homeopathic medicine for the temporary relief of the symptoms of hay fever and other upper respiratory allergies such as sinus pressure, runny nose, sneezing, itchy eyes, watery eyes and nasal congestion . It is produced and marketed by Zicam, LLC; a subsidiary of Matrix Initiatives, Inc.

Active Ingredients

The active ingredients in the product include Galphimia Glauca 12x, 30x, Histaminum Hydrochloricum 12x, 30x, 200x, Luffa Operculata 4x, 12x, 30x and Sulphur 12x, 30x, 200x.

FDA

Some of the Zicam products came under severe scrutiny when numerous reports revealed that the recipients of these drugs started suffering from loss of sense to smell otherwise known as Anosmia. Research proved that it was caused due to the presence of Zinc gluconote, in the drugs, as an active ingredient.  On June 16, 2009, FDA warned the consumers not to use three of the Zicam Intranasal Zinc-containing products namely:

1. Zicam Cold Remedy Nasal Gel
2. Zicam Cold Remedy Nasal Swabs
3. Zicam Cold Remedy Swabs, Kids Size

Following FDA warning, these products were recalled from the market. But the Allergy Relief (Gel Swabs) remained in the market as these were not affected by the warning. Three weeks after the recall, some of the concerned viewers prompted a News Channel 11 investigation. Viewers alleged that the recalled products were still present and being sold in the market. The investigation concluded that these products were actually Allergy Relief Gel Swabs which looked identical to the recalled drugs, therefore “causing some confusion” among the people. The Drug Authority said that the present products were suitable to use.

A study has shown that 109 reports of “adverse events” have been unearthed from 11/01/1997 to 08/27/2012 and Zicam Allergy Relief has been the primary suspect drug in all these cases. It is said that these incidents, questionably, instigated by the said product have caused Anosmia, Ageusia (loss of taste) and Dysgeusia (distortion of the sense of taste) among the consumers.

Reviews

People who have used this product found it extremely useful and soothing especially with sinus allergies. Consumers claim that after using it, they found it easy to breathe; it was relatively inexpensive and has no side effects. The users have stated that, unlike other such drugs, these gel swabs provide an immediate and a “Non-Drowsy relief”.  Even though most of the users found the product helpful, some of them heavily
panned the product declaring it inexpedient. A few even went on to criticize the company of Placebo, saying that these products were fake and medically ineffective; the only thing they felt was the moist from the swabs and they had to take allergy pills along with it too.

Conclusion

In the main, this product has been well received by the users and the criticism came largely due to the previous track record of the company for the use of Zinc in the drugs which is used to condense the common cold, therefore strongly censured by the doctors.