If Zicam works, why are there no FDA approved studies?

Question

Zicam is touted as a "homeopathic" remedy. The zinc in it is so diluted that it is hard to see how it can be of any benefit or harm. The very theory of homeopathy predates the knowledge that micro-organisms make us sick, rather it is based on a theory of "miasma" (evil spirits).

Yet Zicam has its products in large drugstore chains. Do they have blackmail information on corporate management? Do they pay off somebody with money, s*x, or drugs? How does it happen?

Faith is the acceptance of the truth of something without evidence. Why don't I have faith?

Answer 1

I have never heard the phrase "FDA approved studies".  The FDA is NOT in the business of approving research studies.  It REVIEWS studies to determine if there is adequate scientific support to "approve" the use of a prescription drug.  Zicam is NOT a prescription drug, thus it does not require FDA approval.

p.s. a LOT of FDA approved prescription drugs turn out to be useless and/or do great harm.  Thalidamide, Vioxx, Ritalin, Premarin, and SSRI's come to mind.

Answer 2

The Food & Drug Administration does not grant "approval" to ANY dietary supplements or homeopathic remedies (i.e. non-medications). This is not because they are not necessarily good, but because the role of the FDA is only to regulate when a supplement that does not require a prescription is unsafe, not to grant any sort of "approval".

Answer 3

im not homeopathy expert, but to my knowledge in true homeopathy the more diluted something is supposedly the more potent it is. also, they use ingredients that would mimic the symptoms, not treat it. zicam nasal gel contains zinc gluconate, 2X. in homeopathy a 1X dilution is one part in 10, or 10%. so 2X is one part in 10 of one part in 10, or 1% (I think this is how their dosing works, i might be wrong). a 1% zinc solution isnt that weak of a dilution. so in they eyes of homepathy, this a 2X dilution is an extremely weak product. but in the eyes of modern medicine, there is a pretty decent amount of zinc in there. in fact there have been a few case reports of people claiming to have diminished senses of smell when using zicam intranasal products long term, and studies in rats have backed up that intranasal zinc might cause permanent impairment to the sense of smell.

so really although they claim its homepathic on the label, its really not all (assuming i am correct on the dosing and the 1% strength, which I could be wrong about). if this is the case im really surprised they havent gotten nailed for false adverstising.

but personally i also doubt it works either way