The maker of Zicam Cold Remedy products, Church & Dwight Co., Inc., has agreed to pay up to $6 million to settle a class action lawsuit that charged it with promoting the products to reduce the severity of cold symptoms and reduce the duration of colds without reliable scientific evidence.

Zicam Cold Remedy products are labeled as a homeopathic “zinc formula” that “shortens colds,” although the amount of zinc in products is not listed on the label. (See ConsumerLab’s Zinc Supplements and Lozenges Review to see the amount of zinc our tests found in Zicam Cold Remedy and other products, as well as the clinical evidence for zinc for reducing cold symptoms).

The lawsuit alleged that claims used to promote Zicam brand “Pre-Cold” products, including Original RapidMelts, Ultra RapidMelts, Oral Mist, Wild Cherry Lozenges, Medicated Fruit Drops, Elderberry Citrus, RapidMelts, and Elderberry Medicated Fruit Drops, were deceptive and misleading. The claims included that the products could “shorten colds,” and “reduces severity of cold symptoms” – such as sore throat, stuffy nose, sneezing, coughing, and nasal congestion.

In 2013, the National Advertising Division advised marketers of Zicam against claiming that Zicam products could prevent colds, and in 2009, the FDA warned consumers not to use three Zicam Nasal Gel/Nasal Swab products that were linked to reports of permanent loss of smell.

As part of the settlement agreement, consumers who purchased any Zicam product before October 17, 2024 are eligible to receive a refund of up to $5 per product up to a maximum of $30. Consumers who wish to submit a claim must do so by February 21, 2025 (11:59 PM Pacific Time).