Honolulu Resident Files Lawsuit Against Zicam Maker

-KHON2

07/09/2009 - A lawsuit was filed in Hawaii against the maker of a popular cold remedy that federal regulators say could damage your sense of smell.

Honolulu resident Marvin Yamasaki is filing suit against Matrixx Initiatives, the maker of Zicam.

The lawsuit claims Yamasaki suffered severe impairment of his sense of smell and taste after using Zicam Cold Remedy Nasal Gel in October of 2007.

"When he walked by a woman who was smoking a cigarette, he didn't smell the cigarette smoke, and when he went out to meals, he couldn't really taste the food, he couldn't smell the herbs" said Yamasaki's attorney.

Last month, the Food and Drug Administration sent out a warning for consumers to stop using Zicam Cold Remedy Nasal Gel, cold remedy swabs, and cold remedy swabs for kids.

More than 130 people have reported a loss of smell after using Zicam.