Denture Cream Poisoning Warnings Should Have Been Provided

By Austin Kirk
Posted June 2, 2009

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Despite a growing body of evidence that their denture cream products were a likely source of zinc poisoning, GlaxoSmithKline and Proctor & Gamble, the manufacturers Super Poligrip and Fixodent denture cream respectively, downplayed the dangers, misled consumers and continued to sell their products without even warning consumers that zinc was an ingredient.

>>INFORMATION: Denture Cream Poisoning Lawsuits

Studies have associated the use of adhesive denture cream products like Super PoliGrip and Fixodent to high exposure to zinc, which can lead to copper depletion and a number of debilitating neurological disorders like neuropathy, myelopathy, hypocupremia and other problems.

The risk associated with excess levels of zinc entering the body were well known at the time GlaxoSmithKline and Proctor & Gamble added zinc as an ingredient. However, no warnings were ever provided about the risk of denture cream poisoning and they have continued to provide inadequate instructions about the proper use of their products.

Even after reports were received of users suffering from zinc poisoning and a number of lawsuits were filed, steps were still not taken to protect the public. After the filing of one of the first Super PoliGrip lawsuits, Glaxo released the following statement (emphasis added):

GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare stands by the safety and efficacy of SUPER POLIGRIP®, which is approved and regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Although we can’t comment on this person’s claim, we want to assure consumers that SUPER POLIGRIP is safe and effective when used as directed. When someone uses SUPER POLIGRIP for their dentures, the vast majority of the zinc in the product remains in the adhesive and is not released into the mouth. Thus the potential for absorption of zinc throughout the gums is minimal. Although it is expected that a small amount of SUPER POLIGRIP would be swallowed when used as directed, the amount of zinc that is released into the stomach and absorbed into the bloodstream is very small. Therefore, the possibility of experiencing adverse effects from exposure to zinc in SUPER POLIGRIP is highly unlikely when the product is used as directed.

This statement is misleading and attempts to place blame for denture cream poisoning on the users for deviating from directed use. However, the manufacturers take no steps to provide directions that may prevent deviation from directed use or to notify consumers about the risk associated with overuse. In fact, many responsible denture wearers are unknowingly using substantially more of the adhesive cream than they need to, and the manufacturers have to be well aware of this.

Why didn’t Glaxo, or Proctor & Gamble for that matter, come out and take any steps to reduce the overuse of their products and ensure that they are “used as directed.” Unfortunately, it is likely another example of a corporation placing profits before consumer safety, knowing that with proper use consumers will likely only use one or two tubes per month, as opposed to one or two tubes per week (as many do).

FIXODENT AND POLIGRIP DENTURE CREAM POISONING LAWSUITS

The denture cream lawyers at Saiontz & Kirk, P.A. are reviewing potential Super PoliGrip lawsuits and Fixodent lawsuits for users of the adhesive creams who have been diagnosed with zinc poisoning, neuropathy, myelopathy or other neurological injuries, with symptoms like:

• Weakness or Unexplained Pain
• Numbness, Tingling or Burning in the Hands and Feet (some describe it as feeling like they are wearing gloves or socks even when their skin is bare)
• Loss of Sensation
• Poor Balance or Lack of Coordination

To review a potential denture cream poisoning lawsuit and determine if financial compensation may be available, request a free consultation and claim evaluation.