"Agreement reached to settle some Poligrip claims"
Denture Creams such as Super Poligrip, Fixodent and Others, May Be Associated With Paralysis, Numbness, Tingling, Muscle Weakness And Other Neurological Issues.
Or You May Be Diagnosed With Zinc Poisoning, Reduced Copper Levels, Neuropathy, Anemia Or Bone Marrow Failure.
6/27/10-WFAA.com WFAA-TV|Dallas/Fort Worth - Health News - Zinc danger remains in denture paste "A lot of my clients were complaining of symptoms and go to their doctors, and the doctors will simply ignore them; they are unaware of the zinc poisoning issues. They are unaware that these products even contain zinc," said Andy Alonso, part of a team of attorneys representing more than 100 plaintiffs in a mass tort. He credits News 8 reports for getting the word out.
More Info...
3/10/10-Philadelphia Daily News - Zinc in dental adhesives can cause "horrific injuries," lawyer says. More Info...
Philadelphia Daily News - News coverage of Poligrip dental adhesive. More Info...
GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) warns about a potential health risk associated with long-term, excessive use of GSK?s zinc-containing denture adhesives Super Poligrip ?Original?, ?Ultra Fresh? and ?Extra Care?. More Info...
Press Release - 2/18/2010 - Parker Waichman Alonso LLP Commends GlaxoSmithKline for its Decision to Voluntarily Stop the Manufacture, Distribution and Advertising of all Super PoliGrip Denture Cream Products Made with Zinc.
Consumer Web Advisory - 2/18/2010 - GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) warns about a potential health risk associated with long-term, excessive use of GSK's zinc-containing denture adhesives Super Poligrip 'Original', 'Ultra Fresh' and 'Extra Care'.
ABC News - Study Finds a Possible Link Between Denture Cream and Imbalance
For More Information About The Poligrip Lawsuit - Click Here
GlaxoSmithKline Stops Making 3 Super PoliGrip Products Because of Zinc Risks
The risk of zinc poisoning prompted GlaxoSmithKline to announce it would voluntarily stop manufacturing, marketing and advertising three zinc-containing Super PoliGrip denture cream products on February 18, 2010. The products affected by this announcement are: Super PoliGrip 'Original', 'Ultra Fresh' and 'Extra Care'.
Glaxo said it is currently in the process of reformulating Super PoliGrip 'Original', Super PoliGrip 'Ultra Fresh' and Super PoliGrip 'Extra Care' to non-zinc formulations. The new versions should be in stores by Mid April 2010.
A small amount of zinc is necessary for a balanced diet. However, recent research suggests that long-term excessive use of zinc-containing denture creams like the Super PoliGrip products may lead to the development of neurological symptoms. These may include numbness, tingling or weakness in the arms and legs, difficulties with walking and balance and blood problems such as anemia.
Glaxo maintains that Super PoliGrip 'Original', 'Ultra Fresh? and 'Extra Care' are safe to use as directed, but noted that some consumers may apply more adhesive than directed, or use it more than once per day. In a statement posted on its Web site, Glaxo said it stopped the manufacture, distribution and advertising of the three zinc-containing Super PoliGrip products as a precautionary measure to minimize any potential risks to consumers. The company also said it had discussed the matter with the Food & Drug Administration (FDA), and no further action is necessary.
According to Glaxo's statement, consumers who have been using zinc-containing Super PoliGrip 'Original', 'Ultra Fresh' or 'Extra Care' for several years in greater amounts than directed on the package or more than once per day, or have concerns about their health, must:
- Stop using the product.
- Talk to their doctor.
- Use a zinc-free alternative.
This action does not affect any zinc-free Super PoliGrip products, including Super PoliGrip 'Free,' Super PoliGrip 'Comfort Seal Strips', or Super PoliGrip 'Powder'. These products remain available to consumers.
Consumers with questions about this action can call Glaxo toll free at 1-866-640-1017.
Denture Cream Neuropathy
If you wear dentures and have experienced numbness, tingling or pain in your legs and arms, you might be suffering from denture cream neuropathy. This type of neuropathy has been seen in people who have been exposed to excessive amounts of zinc-containing denture cream. The denture cream neuropathy lawyers at our firm are currently offering free consultations to people who have been poisoned by the zinc in these products.
More than 35 million Americans use denture creams, such as Poligrip and Fixodent, to keep their dentures in place. If you are one of them, you might be surprised that doing so could be putting you at risk of developing serious health problems. That's because - despite repeated pleas from consumer advocacy groups - the Food & Drug Administration (FDA) does not require manufacturers to warn denture cream users about the potential dangers of these products.
Despite the FDA's failure to act, the manufacturers of Poligrip, Fixodent and other denture creams still have a duty to warn consumers of their risks. While these companies are very aware that denture creams can cause zinc poisoning, they still have not provided adequate warnings. The denture cream neuropathy lawyers at our firm believe the victims of this negligence are entitled to compensation for their injuries.
Zinc Poisoning
The zinc in denture creams is the reason these products can be so damaging to your health. Exposure to excessive amounts of zinc can cause the levels of copper in your body to drop. If not corrected, copper depletion will cause symptoms of neuropathy, a nerve disorder that can be severely disabling. Without intervention, zinc poisoning can even lead to death.
In August 2008, the journal "Neurology" reported on four patients suffering from neuropathy and other neurological symptoms typical of zinc poisoning and copper depletion. It was determined that excess use of dental creams could have been responsible for their symptoms. The article noted that one tube of denture cream should last 3 to 10 weeks, but patients in the report were all using at least two tubes a week. Three had also lost their teeth at a relatively young age, meaning they had used "extremely large amounts of denture adhesive daily for years."
Blood tests revealed that all of the subjects suffered from excessive zinc and insufficient copper levels. In a couple of cases, patients who took copper supplements and/or stopped using denture cream had improved copper and zinc levels. But only two patients showed "mild neurological improvement" after they began the supplements and stopped using denture creams, while the others had no improvement whatsoever.
Possible Misdiagnoses of Denture Cream Neuropathy
Studies have shown that zinc copper deficiency can cause the myelin sheath that covers the nerve cells to deteriorate. This would explain the neurological problems, such as neuropathy, that can occur because of zinc copper depletion.
Many doctors are not aware that denture creams can cause zinc copper depletion and neuropathy. Because of this, a patient exhibiting numbness or tingling in the extremities; muscle weakness, muscle spasms, or difficulty in moving; or any other of the problems typical of denture cream neuropathy may not be correctly diagnosed.
Our denture cream neuropathy lawyers are aware of several instances where people suffering from zinc copper deficiency were misdiagnosed with other disorders that involve destruction of the myelin sheath. Some of the demyelinating diseases most often misdiagnosed in patients with denture cream neuropathy include:
Multiple Sclerosis: People with denture cream neuropathy are often suspected to be suffering from Multiple Sclerosis. This is not surprising, as Multiple Sclerosis affects more than 400,000 people in the U.S. Many of the symptoms of Multiple Sclerosis are identical to those of zinc copper depletion. Multiple sclerosis can be difficult to diagnose early in the course of the disease, because symptoms often come and go — sometimes disappearing for months.
Demyelinating Syndrome: This syndrome is often associated with other diseases, such as lupus. Typical symptoms include odd sensation in legs, arms, chest, or face, such as tingling or numbness, or weakness; blurriness or double vision; loss of dexterity; and coordination problems.
Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy (CIDP): A rare neurological disorder in which there is swelling of nerve roots and destruction of the myelin sheath over the nerves. This disorder causes weakness, paralysis and/or impairment in motor function, especially of the arms and legs. Sensory loss may also be present causing numbness, tingling, or prickling sensations. The motor and sensory impairments usually affect both sides of the body, and the degree of severity may vary.
Guillain-Barré Syndrome: A disorder in which the body's immune system attacks part of the peripheral nervous system. Early symptoms of this disorder-such as varying degrees of weakness or tingling sensations in the legs-are similar to those caused by zinc copper deficiency. In many instances the weakness and abnormal sensations spread to the arms and upper body. These symptoms can increase in intensity until certain muscles cannot be used at all. When severe, a patient may suffer life-threatening paralysis.
If you or someone you know has suffered from symptoms of a demyelinating disease and use denture cream, you should ask you doctor to test the zinc and copper levels in your blood. That way, your doctor can rule out denture cream neuropathy before you begin any treatment.
Other Related Links
Excess use of denture cream tied to nerve damage
More claims of denture cream poisoning
Compensation for Victims of Denture Cream Neuropathy
Despite the ever-growing body of evidence showing that the excess zinc in denture cream is causing denture cream neuropathy, the makers of these products still refuse to provide warnings about their dangers. As a result, millions of denture cream users have put their health at risk without even realizing it. The denture cream neuropathy lawyers at our firm are committed to holding these companies accountable for their negligence.
If you or someone you love suffers from neuropathy that could be tied to the use of denture creams, you have valuable legal rights. Please fill out our online form or call 1-800 LAW INFO (1-800-529-4636) as soon as possible to discuss your case with one of our denture cream neuropathy lawyers.
