Denture Cream

Denture cream containing zinc may have caused your nerve damage.

Memphis, Tennessee attorneys Tim Edwards and Ed Wallis are providing free case evaluations for those affected by zinc poisoning from denture cream products such as Fixodent and PoliGrip.  Hundreds of people are suing consumer products giants Procter & Gamble Co., which makes Fixodent, and GlaxoSmithKline, maker of PoliGrip, the Associated Press reported in an article on September 18, 2009.

Lawsuits currently filed claim the denture cream products are defective, that the companies failed to adequately warn people about the potential dangers and that no corrective steps were taken.  In fact, on June 4, 2008, the medical journal Neurology published a study about a possible link between denture cream zinc and nerve damage. The study was conducted by doctors at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas. The research involved four patients who all used large amounts of denture cream and developed nerve-related disorders. Additionally, the National Institutes of Health has warned consumers that too much zinc can purge the body of copper, and a copper deficiency can cause nerve damage.

Nerve damage may cause symptoms such as:

• weakness and numbness in arms and legs;
• tingling, pinching, sharp, deep stabs, electric shocks, or buzzing in the arms and eggs;
• unpleasant sensations when touching (dysethesias);
• difficulty walking and loss of balance, and
• cognitive or memory impairment.

There have been numerous reports of people experiencing paralysis, developing numbness, tingling in hands, loss of sensation or unexplained pain and muscle weakness in legs and arms, as well as numerous other neurological problems as a possible result of the zinc in Super Poligrip, Fixodent and other denture creams. If you have experienced any of these symptoms and are using Fixodent or Poligrip please call us at 901-527-2125.

There are six likely diagnoses from zinc poisoning:

• Dysesthesias: Dysesthesias refers to unpleasant abnormal sensations that occur when a patient touches something, or is exposed to some other type of stimulus. Dysesthesias is associated with lesions of the peripheral or central nervous system, and causes patients to feel burning, wetness, itching, electric shock, “pins and needles” and other uncomfortable sensations in their extremities, especially their hands and feet.
• Paresthesias: Paresthesias leads to feelings of numbness, tingling, pinching, sharp, deep stabs, electric shocks, or buzzing in the arms and legs. While the symptoms of parenthesis are similar to dysesthesias, a patient with paresthesias does not have to come in contact with a stimulus in order to experience its symptoms. Other types of paresthesias include feelings of cold, warmth, burning, itching, and skin crawling
• Copper Deficiency: Exposure to excess zinc inhibits the absorption of copper. Fatigue, paleness, skin sores, edema, slowed growth, hair loss, anorexia, diarrhea and dermatitis can be symptoms of copper deficiency. Copper deficiency can also affect the immune and cardiovascular systems. The condition also can cause reduced red blood cell function and reduced red blood cell life span, which can lead to impaired energy levels and cause weakness and labored respiration from decreased oxygen delivery.
• Anemia: One of the more common blood disorders, anemia occurs when the level of healthy red blood cells in the body becomes too low. This can lead to health problems, including fatigue and impaired bodily organs, because red blood cells contain hemoglobin, which carries oxygen to the body’s tissues.
• Bone Marrow Failure: Bone marrow failure syndromes include a group of disorders than can be either inherited or acquired. These diseases are disorders of the hematopoietic stem cell 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).
• Neuropathy: Severe zinc poisoning can lead to neuropathy, a condition that affects the nerves. 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.

What does the FDA say?

Currently denture creams containing zinc have not been recalled by the FDA. They encourage people who believe they’ve been poisoned to come forward and file reports so they can compile information about zinc poisoning claims. In other words, the more people experiencing problems, the more likely it will be that the FDA issues a recall. Not everyone who uses denture creams experiences problems, but a recall can help make these products safer for everyone. That’s why it is so important to file a lawsuit if you’ve experienced problems, even if you don’t need the money. After talking to your doctor, call a personal injury lawyer with pharmaceutical experience to learn more about your rights against those responsible for your medical problems.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not require disclosure of the potential for denture cream zinc poisoning. Further, manufacturers do not warn of potential problems. In fact, they deny that the amount of zinc in their products pose any hazard whatsoever. Interestingly, zinc was not found in denture cream until the 1990’s but manufacturers claim it is an essential ingredient.

Blood tests for zinc and copper levels are standard and will quickly determine if unhealthy mineral levels exist. If not detected early and then treated, the effects of zinc poisoning may be permanent.

If you have more questions, we welcome you to visit our FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

If you have developed nerve damage after the use of denture cream products such as Fixodent and PoliGrip, please call us as soon as possible. Let us put our experience and expertise to work for you. We are currently helping others who have received a defective Advanced Bionics cochlear implant, Transvaginal mesh/sling devices, or took prescription drugs such as Trasylol, Chantix, Digitek, Byetta, Ortho Evra, Seroquel, Reglan, and Yaz/Yasmin. The firm also handles medical malpractice claims.

Tim Edwards
Ed Wallis
Glassman, Edwards, Wade & Wyatt, PC
26 N. 2nd Street
Memphis, TN 38103
(901) 527-2125
(901) 275-0600 (after hours, weekends)
EMAIL BY CLICKING HERE

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