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.

Numbness and Tingling:

Zinc poisoning can lead to conditions called paresthesias and dysesthesias. Paresthesias leads to feelings of numbness, tingling, pinching, sharp, deep stabs, electric shocks, or buzzing in the arms and legs. Dysesthesias refers to unpleasant abnormal sensations that occur when a patient touches something.

Impaired Sense of Position:

Because of the numbness in their feet, victims of zinc poisoning may lack coordination when walking.

“Glove and Stocking Sensation”:

Patients may have a feeling of wearing stockings or gloves or slippers even though their hands and feet are completely bare.

Weakness in the Arms or Legs:

The copper deficiency that accompanies zinc poisoning can damage the nerves leading to the legs and arms. This can cause difficulty walking or running, and a feeling of “heaviness” in the legs. These symptoms can make walking and other daily functions quite difficult.

Diagnosis that may be determined due to 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).

NeuropathySevere 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.

These neurological problems caused by excess exposure to zinc contained in denture creams can be devastating. In some cases, patients suffering from zinc poisoning have been confined to wheelchairs. Tests for zinc levels in the blood can determine quickly if a zinc overdose is to blame.

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.

Demyelinating diseases are characterized by numbness, tingling pain or weakness in the extremities; coordination and movement problems; and many of the other symptom suffered by the victims of denture cream side effects. Demyelinating diseases occur when the myelin sheath – a protective coating of the nerve cells – deteriorates or is destroyed. Research has shown that victims of severe copper deficiency also show evidence of demyelination. Because of these similarities, people who use denture cream and suffer from such symptoms should ask their doctors to test zinc and copper levels in the blood to rule out denture cream side effects.

Some of the demyelinating diseases most often misdiagnosed in patients with denture cream side effects include:

Demyelinating Syndrome: Typical symptoms of this disorder 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. This syndrome can be associated with other diseases, such as lupus.

Multiple Sclerosis: Multiple sclerosis can be difficult to diagnose early in the course of the disease, because symptoms often come and go — sometimes disappearing for months. Because of this difficulty, doctors may at first think that a patient has Multiple Sclerosis, when in fact they are suffering from denture neuropathy.

Guillain-Barré Syndrome: A disorder in which the body’s immune system attacks part of the peripheral nervous system. The first symptoms of this disorder include varying degrees of weakness or tingling sensations in the legs. 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.

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.

Other Related Links

Excess use of denture cream tied to nerve damage

American Academy of Neurology: An unusual source of excess zinc, leading to hypocupremia and neurologic disease

More claims of denture cream poisoning

If you or someone you love suffers from neuropathy or other neurological symptoms that you believe were caused by zinc in denture creams, you have valuable legal rights. Please fill out our online form or call 1-800 LAW INFO (1-800-529-4636) to speak to a denture cream zinc poisoning lawyer at our firm.

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Lawsuits Pending: Denture Creams Such As Super Poligrip, Fixodent and Others, May Be Associated With Side Effects Such As Paralysis, Numbness, Tingling, Muscle Weakness And Other Neurological Issues.

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 Parker Waichman LLP, 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.

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Philadelphia Daily News – News coverage of Poligrip dental adhesive.

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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?.

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Press Release – 2/18/2010 – Parker Waichman 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