Sense of smell and taste lost by Zicam, woman claims in suit

A woman claims she lost her sense of smell and taste after using a nasal spray.

Jennifer Glisson filed a lawsuit Dec. 31 in Madison County Circuit Court against Matrixx Initiatives also known as Zicam.

Glisson claims she used a drug called Zicam nasal gel manufactured by the defendants in the spring of 2008. But her use of the gel resulted in Glisson's permanent loss of her taste and smell, according to the complaint.

"That at the time of Plaintiff's usage of said nasal gel, said nasal gel was in the same condition as it was when it left the possession and control of the Defendant," the suit states. "That when Plaintiff used said nasal gel it was in an unreasonably dangerous condition in that said nasal gel could cause loss of smell and/or taste."

In addition to the loss of one of her senses, Glisson experienced mental anguish, pain and suffering and incurred medical expenses because of her use of the drug, according to the complaint.

She blames Matrixx for failing to include warnings about the possibility of loss of taste and smell and for manufacturing the drug in such a way that she lost her taste and smell.

In her two-count suit, Glisson seeks a judgment of more than $50,000 and punitive damages of more than $50,000, plus costs.

Thomas O. Falb of Williamson, Webster, Falb and Glisson in Alton will be representing her.

Madison County Circuit Court case number: 09-L-1415.