"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.
Poligrip Zinc Lawsuit
Are you a Poligrip user who has been plagued by numbness, tingling and weakness in your arms and legs, or has recently been diagnosed with neuropathy? Did you know that Poligrip, which contains zinc, can be poisonous when used in large quantities? If you are suffering from neuropathy or any of these other symptoms, Poligrip zinc poisoning could be to blame. If you think your health has suffered because of this product, you should know that we are currently offering free case evaluations for Poligrip zinc lawsuits.
The maker of Poligrip, GlaxoSmithKline, has already been named in several Poligrip zinc lawsuits. If you or someone you know uses Poligrip, and have suffered any of these health problems, you too may be entitled to compensation. We urge you to contact us right away to discuss the possibility of filing a Poligrip zinc lawsuit.
Millions of people use Poligrip, making it clear that Poligrip zinc poisoning is a serious threat to public health. Yet few people know how risky Poligrip can be. That's because the Food & Drug Administration (FDA) considers products like Poligrip to be Class I medical devices. As a result, the Poligrip label contains no warnings about the risk of zinc poisoning. By filing a Poligrip zinc lawsuit, you will be helping to shed much-needed light on this serious health concern.
University of Texas Study
At least 35 million Americans wear dentures, and a great number rely on creams like Poligrip to hold their dentures in place. What most don't know is that Poligrip and similar products contain zinc, which can seriously threaten health when used in large amounts. Excess zinc can lead to the depletion of copper in the body, which in turn can cause numbness, tingling, and weakness in the extremities. If the problem is not addressed, the copper depletion caused by zinc poisoning can result in neuropathy.
Recent research has found a direct link between the use of Poligrip and similar products, and the development of neuropathy. In 2008, researchers at the University of Texas published a case study involving four neuropathy patients. The subjects in the study used an average of two tubes of denture cream every week. Under normal use, a tube of denture cream should last for several weeks.
Normal blood levels of copper range from 0.75 to 1.45 micrograms per milliliter (mL), but levels for the patients in the study 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 neurological 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.
The third patient's neurological symptoms included weakness in the hands and poor balance, while the fourth 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 Poligrip Zinc Poisoning
Our Poligrip zinc lawsuit 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. The myelin sheath, which covers the nerve cells and acts somewhat like insulation, is vital for the nervous system to function properly.
If you or someone you know has suffered from symptoms of a demyelinating disease and use Poligrip, you should ask you doctor to test the zinc and copper levels in your blood. That way, your doctor can rule out Poligrip zinc poisoning before you begin any treatment.
Some of the demyelinating diseases most often misdiagnosed in patients with Poligrip zinc poisoning 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.
Other Related Links
Excess use of denture cream tied to nerve damage
More claims of denture cream poisoning
Legal Help for Victims of Poligrip Zinc Poisoning
Millions of people use Poligrip everyday, unaware that doing so might lead to the development of neuropathy and other neurological problems. Because the problem of Poligrip zinc poisoning is not well known, no one knows how many people have been sickened. GlaxoSmithKline is guilty of terrible negligence because it failed to warn Poligrip users of this risk. Victims of this negligence may be entitled to payment for medical bills, lost wages and pain and suffering. The lawyers at our firm will work hard to make sure the victims of Poligrip zinc poisoning receive the compensation they deserve.
If you or someone you love used Poligrip on a regular basis, and now have symptoms of zinc poisoning, 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 filing a Poligrip zinc lawsuit.
