"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 Adhesive Neuropathy
If you are one of the 35 million Americans who uses denture adhesives, such as Poligrip and Fixodent, we have an urgent warning. The use of zinc-containing denture adhesives has been linked to serious neurological problems, including neuropathy. These injuries can be permanently disabling and even life-threatening. Yet, the makers of denture adhesives have refused to put labels on these products warning of their dangers.
No one knows how many people are suffering from neuropathy or other neurological problems because of toxic denture adhesives. The denture adhesive neuropathy lawyers at our firm are currently evaluating potential lawsuits against the manufacturers who failed to adequately warn consumers about the health problems these products can cause.
Neuropathy is a serious nerve disorder that affects the extremities. It is often caused by exposure to a toxin, and it is a side effect of some drugs. Excessive exposure to zinc - an ingredient in many denture adhesives - is also associated with the development of neuropathy and other neurological problems.
If you use denture adhesive on a regular basis, and suffer from the following symptoms, you might be a victim of denture adhesive neuropathy:
- tingling or numbness in the extremities
- loss of ability to move legs, feet, arms, or hands
- poor balance and coordination
- decrease in walking stride
- abnormal blood pressure and heart rate
- reduced ability to perspire
- constipation and bladder dysfunction.
Denture Adhesives and Zinc Poisoning
Many people with ill-fitting dentures rely on denture adhesives to keep them in place. But because these adhesives contain zinc, this is not a safe solution. If you ingest too much of the zinc in denture adhesives, you might eventually experience copper depletion. People who suffer from chronic low levels of copper in their blood can develop severe neurological problems, including neuropathy.
Researchers at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas recently found a very strong link between zinc-containing denture adhesives and neuropathy. Their study, published in a 2008 issue of the journal "Neurology" determined that neuropathy in four patients was likely caused by their exposure to zinc in denture adhesives.
The patients in the University of Texas study used an average of two tubes of denture adhesive every week. Normal blood levels of copper range from 0.75 to 1.45 micrograms per milliliter (mL), but levels for the patients in the report ranged from less than 0.1 to 0.23 micrograms per mL. The top normal number for zinc blood levels is 1.10 micrograms per mL, but patients had levels ranging from 1.36 to 4.28 micrograms per mL.
Unfortunately, the damage the patients suffered was not easily reversed. To treat symptoms, one patient took copper supplements but didn't stop using denture cream. His copper levels improved, but his zinc levels remained too high and he showed no improvement in his neurological symptoms. A second patient, who took copper supplements and stopped using denture adhesive showed improvement in copper and zinc levels, but no improvement in neurological symptoms.
Another patient's neurological symptoms included weakness in the hands and poor balance, while another had weakness in her arms and legs that made her wheelchair dependent, along with cognitive decline and urinary incontinence. These patients showed only "mild neurologic improvement" after they quit using denture adhesives and began taking copper supplements.
Possible Misdiagnoses of Denture Adhesive Neuropathy
Many doctors are not aware that denture adhesives can cause zinc copper depletion and neuropathy. This can lead to a mistaken diagnosis.
Most often, if a patient with denture adhesive neuropathy is misdiagnosed, they are thought to have a demyelinating disease. These types of disorders involve destruction of the myelin sheath - the protective covering of the nerve cells. Our denture adhesive neuropathy lawyers are currently investigating several cases of zinc copper deficiency that were first diagnosed as one of these diseases.
All demyelinating diseases can cause tingling in the extremities, muscle weakness, muscle spasms, motion problems, and other symptoms typical of denture adhesive neuropathy. If you or someone you know has suffered from symptoms of a demyelinating disease and use denture adhesive, you should ask you doctor to test the zinc and copper levels in your blood. That way, your doctor can rule out denture adhesive neuropathy before you begin any treatment.
Some of the demyelinating diseases most often misdiagnosed in patients with denture adhesive neuropathy include:
Multiple Sclerosis: People with denture adhesive 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.
Other Related Links
Excess use of denture cream tied to nerve damage
More claims of denture cream poisoning
Denture Adhesive Neuropathy Lawsuits
Even though zinc-containing denture creams pose a serious threat to people who use them, the Food & Drug Administration (FDA) does not require dental adhesives to carry warning labels about zinc poisoning. Millions of people use, and continue to use, denture adhesives, unaware that doing so might lead to the development of neuropathy and other neurological problems. The denture adhesive neuropathy lawyers at our firm believe the victims of this disorder are entitled to compensation.
If you or someone you love used denture adhesive on a regular basis, and now have neuropathy or other neurological problems, 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 adhesive neuropathy lawyers.
