>>New packaging for Super Poligrip: Zinc poisoning warning
Denture cream instructions

New boxes of Super PoliGrip now contain a sticker on the outside indicating for users to “Read New Information Inside”. An insert is inside that warns about the presence of zinc, and the risk of health problems with Super Poligrip.

On one side, “Important Product Information” is listed as follows:

On the reverse side are instructions about proper use, indicating “For Best Results Start with a Small Amount” in large print. Together with diagrams demonstrating the recommended amount, the following directions are provided:

SUPER POLIGRIP ZINC POISONING LAWSUIT

At the time zinc was added as an ingredient in Poligrip, it was well known that excess zinc in the body can cause significant problems, including severe neurological damage that is often irreversible. However, for years the products have been sold without adequate warnings and GlaxoSmithKline turned a blind eye to the fact that many users were unaware that they were greatly overusing the denture cream, with some people reporting that one or two tubes were used each week, as opposed to each month.

The lawyers at Saiontz & Kirk, P.A. are reviewing potential Super Poligrip zinc poisoning lawsuits (as well as Fixodent zinc poisoning lawsuits) for individuals who have been diagnosed with neurological damage caused by high zinc levels, which lowers copper levels in the blood. Potential cases are also being investigated for individuals who have experienced symptoms of zinc poisoning, such as:

• Numbness
• Tingling or Pain (Pins and Needles Sensation)
• Muscle Weakness
• Unexplained Pain
• Loss of Balance
• Difficulty Walking
• Loss of Sensation
• Paralysis

If you, a friend or family member have experienced Fixodent or Super Poligrip problems from zinc, request a free consultation and claim evaluation.

Two weeks ago an article was published in the New York Times Magazine, highlighting the dilemma many doctors face when presented with patients who are suffering from neuropathy and other neurological injuries, which have no apparent cause. In that article, Dr. Bilal Ahmed spotted a tube of denture adhesive in his patient’s hospital room and discovered that she typically used several tubes a month instead of the recommended one per month, leading him to determine that high levels of zinc were entering her body from the denture cream.

While the human body needs low levels of zinc to function, high zinc levels in the body can cause copper depletion, known as hypocupremia, which is known to cause permanent neurological problems including neuropathy, myelopathy, anemia, bone marrow failure and other problems.

Last week, an article by the Associated Press described how similar denture cream problems were discovered by 61-year-old Ronald Beaver, who figured out that he was receiving too much zinc from using Poligrip denture cream to help keep his ill-fitting dentures in place.

There are currently hundreds of other people who have filed a lawsuit alleging that GlaxoSmithKline and Proctor & Gamble Co., which respectively make Poligrip and Fixodent, failed to adequately research their products or warn about the risk of neurological damage that may be caused from using too much of the denture adhesive cream.

According to the Associated Press report, there are at least 25 Fixodent and Poligrip suits currently pending in Federal Court, which have been consolidated for pretrial litigation as part of an MDL, or multidistrict litigation, in the Southern District of Florida. In addition, more claims are expected as denture adhesive attorneys continue to investigate potential cases for individuals who have experienced neurological problems.

The recommended daily allowance of zinc is 11 mg for men and 8 mg for women, with the maximum amount of zinc that can be safely tolerated being 40 mg per day. However, studies have established that users of Fixodent and PoliGrip may be exposed to levels as high as 330 mg per day, with many denture wearers using far more cream than is recommended.

Rather than warning about the problems and taking steps to ensure that only safe amounts are used, the manufacturers withheld the information and continued to reap the benefits of selling substantially more of their products than users needed or should have been consuming.

FIXODENT AND POLIGRIP ATTORNEYS

The Fixodent and Poligrip attorneys at Saiontz & Kirk, P.A. are reviewing potential claims for users throughout the United States who have experienced problems that may be caused by zinc poisoning, such as:

• Paralysis
• Numbness
• Loss of Sensation
• Tingling or Pain in Hands or Feet
• Muscle Weakness
• Loss of Balance
• Difficulty Walking
• Unexplained Pain or Weakness

For individuals who suspect that they may be experiencing problems, it is critical that a blood or urine test be obtained to test for elevated zinc levels and depleted copper levels as soon as possible. The use of Fixodent and Poligrip results in increased amounts of zinc and reduced copper levels, which can cause permanent neurological damage. However, once use of the products are stopped, the copper and zinc levels may return to normal, even though the neurological damage remains.

If you, a friend or family member have experienced problems with denture adhesive creams that contain zinc, request a free consultation and claim evaluation.

The denture cream poisoning lawyers at Saiontz & Kirk, P.A. represent individuals throughout the country who are pursuing potential zinc poisoning lawsuits over injuries caused by use of Fixodent or Super Poligrip adhesives. As cases are filed in federal courts throughout the country, they will be transferred to the MDL, which was centralized in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida before U.S. District Judge Cecilia M. Altonaga.

According to the Transfer Order issued June 9, 2009:

On the basis of the papers filed and hearing session held, we find that these actions involve common questions of fact and centralization under Section 1407 in the Southern District of Florida will serve the convenience of the parties and witnesses and promote the just and efficient conduct of this litigation. These actions share questions of fact arising out of the allegation that the levels of zinc contained in certain brands of denture cream can cause copper deficiency and neurological injuries. Centralization under Section 1407 will eliminate duplicative discovery; prevent inconsistent pretrial rulings; and conserve the resources of the parties, their counsel and the judiciary.

While the cases are only consolidated and coordinated for pretrial litigation, most people equate an MDL with being a class action for the denture cream lawsuits. However, the cases will remain individual claims and will be judged independently.

DENTURE CREAM CLASS ACTION LAWYERS

If you, a friend or family member have been diagnosed with zinc poisoning after using Fixodent, Super Poligrip or other types of adhesives, contact our lawyers to determine if compensation may be available through a denture cream class action suit. Symptoms of denture cream poisoning could include:

• Paralysis
• Numbness
• Loss of Sensation
• Tingling or Pain in Hands or Feet
• Muscle Weakness
• Loss of Balance
• Difficulty Walking
• Unexplained Pain or Weakness

>>REQUEST A FREE CONSULTATION<<

>>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.