"Agreement reached to settle some Poligrip claims"
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.
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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.
Fixodent Zinc Lawsuits
Did you know that zinc contained in Fixodent has been linked to serious health problems, including neuropathy? It's not clear how many people might be suffering as a result of Fixodent zinc poisoning, because Proctor & Gamble is not required to warn consumers of this health risk. However, our law firm has received inquiries from Fixodent users who developed neuropathy and other symptoms typical of zinc poisoning. We are currently investigating several Fixodent zinc lawsuits.
Evidence is building that the zinc in Fixodent can cause severe injuries, including neuropathy. Yet, even as this evidence continues to grow, Proctor & Gamble has failed to provide any warnings about excessive exposure to the zinc in Fixodent. Because of this negligence, users of Fixodent may be eligible to receive compensation for their medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
If you or someone you know uses Fixodent, and have experienced numbness, tingling, pain or weakness in your hands and feet, or you have been diagnosed with neuropathy that has no known cause, zinc in Fixodent may be to blame. We urge you to contact us as soon as possible to discuss filing a Fixodent zinc lawsuit.
Fixodent Zinc Poisoning
Fixodent, like most denture adhesives, is made with zinc. In small amounts, zinc is harmless. However, ingesting excessive amounts can cause copper deficiency, which in turn can lead to neurological problems and even neuropathy. People who use large amounts of denture creams to keep ill-fitting dentures in place are the most at risk for zinc poisoning.
The neurological problems caused by excess exposure to the zinc contained in Fixodent can be devastating. In some cases, patients suffering from zinc poisoning have been confined to wheelchairs. While stopping the use of Fixodent results in improvement of zinc levels in the blood of most patients, victims may only experience a mild improvement of their symptoms.
Zinc poisoning from denture creams can lead to a nerve disorder called neuropathy. Symptoms of neuropathy vary, but may include numbness or tingling in the feet, legs, hands, and/or arms; a reduction in strength or ability to move legs or feet, or arms and hands; unexplained pain in the extremities; a tendency to stumble or fall down; instability and lack of balance; or a change or decrease in walking stride. Severe neuropathy can even lead to abnormal blood pressure and heart rate, reduced ability to perspire, constipation, bladder dysfunction, and sexual dysfunction.
A study published in the journal "Neurology" in 2008 provided compelling evidence of the connection between zinc in denture creams, like Fixodent, and neuropathy. The study looked at four neurology patients, all of whom had used large amounts of denture cream for an extended period of time. All had elevated levels of zinc in their blood, and all suffered from a copper deficiency. The researchers who conducted the study concluded that the use of denture cream - and exposure to the zinc it contained - was to blame for the study subjects' neuropathy.
In addition to neuropathy, zinc poisoning can lead to a variety of other major health problems, including:
- Anemia: A blood disorder that occurs when the level of healthy red blood cells in the body becomes too low. Anemia can lead to serious health problems, including fatigue and impaired bodily organs.
- Bone Marrow Failure Syndromes: These diseases are disorders of the hematopoietic stem cells that can involve either one cell line or all of the cell lines (erythroid for red cells, myeloid for white blood cells, megakaryocytic for platelets).
- Paresthesias: Spontaneous feelings of numbness, tingling, pinching, sharp, deep stabs, electric shocks, or buzzing in the arms and legs. Other types of paresthesias include feelings of cold, warmth, burning, itching, and skin crawling.
- Dysesthesias: Unpleasant abnormal sensations that occur when a patient touches something, or is exposed to some other type of stimulus. Patients suffering from this disorder may feel burning, wetness, itching, electric shock, "pins and needles" and other uncomfortable sensations in their extremities, especially their hands and feet.
If you are a Fixodent wearer, and have been experiencing numbness, tingling, weakness or pain in your extremities, or you have been diagnosed with neuropathy, you might be suffering from Fixodent zinc poisoning. If you suspect this is the case, ask your doctor to test your blood for excess zinc, as it is critical that you seek medical treatment for the symptoms of zinc overdose. You should also consider contacting an attorney to discuss the possibility of filing a Fixodent zinc lawsuit to obtain compensation for your current and future medical condition.
Possible Misdiagnoses Fixodent Zinc Poisoning
The symptoms of Fixodent zinc poisoning are very similar to many other neurological disorders, especially those known as demyelinating diseases.
A demyelinating disease is any condition that causes or is characterized by destruction of the myelin sheath of the nerves. Both zinc copper deficiency and destruction of the myelin sheath can lead to the following symptoms:
- numbness or tingling in the extremities
- muscle weakness, muscle spasms, or difficulty in moving
- difficulties with coordination and balance
- problems in speech or swallowing
- visual problems
- fatigue
- acute or chronic pain
- bladder and bowel difficulties.
Some of the demyelinating diseases most often misdiagnosed in patients with Fixodent zinc poisoning include:
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.
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.
Multiple Sclerosis: Multiple Sclerosis affects more than 400,000 people in the U.S., and it is 2-to-3 times more common in women than men. Multiple sclerosis can be difficult to diagnose early in the course of the disease, because symptoms often come and go — sometimes disappearing for months.
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.
Our Fixodent zinc lawsuit lawyers are aware of several instances where people suffering from zinc copper deficiency were misdiagnosed with a demyelinating disease. 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 neuropathy before you begin any treatment.
Other Related Links
Excess use of denture cream tied to nerve damage
More claims of denture cream poisoning
Legal Help for Victims of Fixodent Zinc Poisoning
Our firm is working hard to make sure the victims of Fixodent zinc poisoning are compensated for their pain and suffering. We will make sure that Proctor & Gamble is held accountable for failing to warn of the dangers posed by Fixodent. If you or someone you know are dealing with health problems related to zinc in Fixodent, please fill out or online form, or call 1 800 LAW INFO (1-800-529-4636) to discuss your legal rights.