IMHO: Homeopathy is a loophole that allows marketing of products that lack
the multi-million dollar testing that prescription {*filter*} require.  While
this opens the door to snake oil, it also makes possible products like
Zicam.

Zicam is an anti-cold remedy, which my friends and I find to be amazingly
effective.  As I understand it, Zicam uses zinc as an anti-viral.  Before
Zicam was available I had used Zinc tables under the tongue for similar, but
less effective results.

I don't for a moment believe that Zicam proves any Homeopathic principle.  I
think the manufacturer is misrepresenting a product as Homeopathic, that
should be regarded as allopathic, in order to be allowed to freely sell it
in the marketplace.

My feeling is that snake oil products should be legal.  My only concern is
that there is a need for regulation to verify that your snake oil really
comes from the snake that they claim.

I agree, Zicam is not homeopathic, and it is bad news. Cold-eeze is the only
commercial brand that actually has clinical studies to back its claims:

http://www.***.com/
A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study to test the efficacy of
COLD-EEZE? lozenges in reducing the duration and severity of the common
cold.
From the Cleveland Clinic Foundation Study, Cleveland, Ohio, 1996.
View Abstract | View Study

 Zinc Gluconate and the Common Cold
A Controlled Clinical Study. The Journal of International Medical Research,
Volume 20, number 3, June 1992. J C Godfrey, B Conant Sloane, D S Smith,
J H Turco, N Mercer and N J Godfrey.
View Abstract

 An open-label, single-center, phase IV clinical study of the effectiveness
of zinc gluconate glycine lozenges (COLD-EEZE?) in reducing the duration and
symptoms of the common cold in school-aged subjects.
McElroy BH, Miller SP. Am J Ther. 2003 Sep-Oct;10(5):324-9.
View Abstract | View Study

 Effectiveness of zinc gluconate glycine lozenges (COLD-EEZE?) against the
common cold in school-aged subjects: a retrospective chart review.
McElroy BH, Miller SP. Am J Ther. 2002 Nov-Dec;9(6):472-5.
View Abstract | View Study

 American Journal of Therapeutics
Sugar-Free Zinc Gluconate Glycine Lozenges (COLD-EEZE?) Do Not Adversely
Affect Glucose Control in Patients with Type 1 or Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus.
American Journal of Therapeutics, Volume 8, number 4, July 2001. Sherwyn L.
Schwartz, Jerome S. Fischer and Mark S. Kipnes.
View Abstract | View Study

Clinical Explanation
The zinc gluconate glycine compound in COLD-EEZE? releases 93% of its ionic
zinc (Zn2+) into the mucosal membranes in the mouth. This is substantially
more free zinc than released by zinc complexes with citrate,
mannitol/sorbitol, tartrate, acetate or citric acid. The zinc ions readily
bind to the (cold-causing) human rhinovirus (HRV) which prevents the virus
from binding to somatic cells through intercellular adhesion molecules
(ICAM), the "docking point" for HRV on the surface of nasal epithelial
cells - subsequently reducing HRV duplication and further infection.

Latest Info

The results of an independent study, published in the November/December
issue of the American Journal of Therapeutics, reinforce the effectiveness
of COLD-EEZE?, the nation's leading pharmacist recommended over-the-counter
zinc cold remedy. Study findings showed that, when taken daily, COLD-EEZE?
patented Zinc Gluconate Glycine formula statistically lessened the number of
colds study participants experienced per year, reducing the incidence from
62% to 28%.

These findings were the result of an independent analysis of three years of
clinical data at the Heritage School facility in Provo, Utah. The study also
found that, when COLD-EEZE? was taken as a first-line treatment for the
common cold, it statistically reduced the use of antibiotics for respiratory
illnesses by 92%. Additionally, the study findings reinforce the original
clinical trials, showing that COLD-EEZE? reduced the median duration of the
common cold by approximately 4 days from 10 to 6 days.

My experience with Zicam is also positive. In fact, over the past five
years, I've never had anything close to resembling a full-blown cold.

Also, my sniffer, continues to work just fine, thank you.

viv

I'm really surprised by the reports of trouble with Zicam.  However, it uses
several forms of administration.  I use the swabs, so only the lower mucus
membranes of my nose get exposed.  They also have a spray-in version.  Maybe
that is what the people who had problems used.