Posted 12:37 am Thursday, June 18, 2009
Tylerite Links Loss Of Smell To Homeopathic Drug
By COSHANDRA DILLARD
Staff Writer
Two years ago, Tyler resident Mary Ann Brandon opted to take a homeopathic nasal spray to combat what she thought was the beginning of a common cold. The typically healthy 45-year-old was surprised that the use of the product sent her to an emergency room. Today, she has no sense of smell or taste and says it is because of Zicam, an over-the-counter nasal spray manufactured by Matrixx Initiatives Inc.
Staff Writer
Two years ago, Tyler resident Mary Ann Brandon opted to take a homeopathic nasal spray to combat what she thought was the beginning of a common cold. The typically healthy 45-year-old was surprised that the use of the product sent her to an emergency room. Today, she has no sense of smell or taste and says it is because of Zicam, an over-the-counter nasal spray manufactured by Matrixx Initiatives Inc.
"I used the product one time and within 30 minutes, I was in the emergency room," Mrs. Brandon said. "Within about 10 minutes I had this intense burning on my face and in my nose."
She said the pain grew increasingly worse. She became dizzy and the burning sensation moved to her neck and shoulders and down her back. In addition, she became extremely agitated.
"I couldn't stop moving my arms and legs," she said. "I was irritated and I did not know what to do."
ADVISORY
This week, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration advised consumers to stop using three products marketed by the company as over-the-counter cold remedies because they may be associated with anosmia, or loss of smell. The FDA has received 130 reports of anosmia from patients, and like Mrs. Brandon, many have experienced a loss of smell after the first dose.
The FDA has not issued a recall of the zinc-based product. However, they have issued a warning to Matrixx Initiative Inc that the products in question cannot be marketed without FDA approval. It has not been regulated by the FDA because it is marketed as homeopathic. Having that label sparked Mrs. Brandon's interest in the product because she thought it meant that it was natural and safe.
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"That's what attracted me to it," she said. "I don't take any medications at all. I am very weary of them. I just think people in this country take too many medications and I try to do as many natural things as I can."
Mrs. Brandon said she followed directions in the product's literature and there is no warning about losing sense of smell.
"I just think we have to be hyper vigilant about what we put in our bodies, especially our noses," she said.
Dr. Jonathan MacClements, associate professor of family medicine and director of medical education at The University of Texas Health Center at Tyler, said this should be a reminder of the importance of using caution when seeking alternative remedies. "The word of caution for any supplement is that the consumer has to be very cautious because there may not be a consumer monitoring of it," he said.
IN RESPONSE
Matrixx officials assert that they are not in violation of any regulation. They released a statement on Tuesday:
Matrixx officials assert that they are not in violation of any regulation. They released a statement on Tuesday:
"The company believes these products are safe and do not cause anosmia. The Company's position is supported by the cumulative science and has been confirmed by a multi-disciplinary panel of scientists. ... The Company believes the FDA action is unwarranted and is in the process of determining its response, which may include removing these products from the marketplace. These products constituted approximately 40 percent of the company's net sales in 2009."
MOVING ON
In the beginning, Mrs. Brandon was optimistic about overcoming her loss of smell and taste as she visited with ear, nose and throat doctors and neurologists. She even traveled to a smell and taste clinic in Washington D.C. in January 2008. She underwent testing and doctors there prescribed a drug that had severe effects, including grogginess and nightmares. Doctors told her they had some success with the drug and it could restore her senses within six months. But the affects were too severe and she opted to discontinue its use.
"It affected my life so much that I was not able to take the medication," she said. "I have four children. I have to function."
On Wednesday, Mrs. Brandon appeared on ABC News' Good Morning America. She said a producer contacted her after she was selected from a small Facebook group called "Don't Use Zicam."
"It's a bizarre way to be on national television but I'm so passionate about this product (not) hurting people that I was more than willing to do it. Yesterday was a huge victory," she said Wednesday. "There's still a lot of work to be done. Every house needs to be reached."
Mrs. Brandon said she used to love cooking but now most things have a chemical taste or taste like sawdust. Within two weeks of the incident, she lost 10 pounds because she could not eat. Today, she eats a lot of hot foods, such as jalapeno relish, just to get some kind of sensation while eating.
LURKING DANGERS
Not being able to taste food or smell roses from her garden is one thing, but Mrs. Brandon is most concerned about her family's safety. She recounted having a gas leak at her home, but she was unable to detect it because of her lack of smell. She also admits to unknowingly burning food on the stove because she can't smell smoke.
She said she is among thousands of people who have made the same claims, and it was those complaints that led to the FDA's action on Tuesday.
"I'd like to think I've been a big part of that," she said. "I'm still really working to get the word out there because I don't want anyone else to be hurt like I was hurt."
Mrs. Brandon filed a lawsuit in January 2009 in a Marshall federal court. She said she has lost thousands of dollars in travel and medical expenses and most importantly, her quality of life has changed.
"I'm upset at what has happened and I'm upset that this company is putting profits before well-being. I'm suffering because of their greed."
