Denture Cream Justice News
Fox 26 Houston – Denture Cream Dangers
Ed Blizzard discusses the dangers posed by zinc in popular denture adhesive creams with Fox 26’s Melissa Wilson.
ABC Pittsburgh – Lawsuit: Super Poligrip User Became Permanently Disabled
ABC Pittsburgh reports:
A lawsuit was filed against denture adhesive maker GlaxoSmithKline by a Butler County woman who claims that the company’s product left her permanently disabled.
[Her attorney] said harmful levels of zinc in Super Poligrip caused his client, 41-year-old Terri Charpentier, to suffer a copper imbalance.
The copper deficiency forced Charpentier to leave her job and confined her to a wheelchair for a while, according to Peirce.
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette – Woman Sues Over Damage From Polygrip
The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports:
Terri Charpentier, 41, a mother of two from the Butler area, today sued GlaxoSmithKline in Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas, claiming harmful levels of zinc in Glaxo’s Super Poligrip denture cream led to a nerve disorder that forced her to resign her clerical job and left her unable to drive or to walk without a walker or a cane.
Mrs. Charpentier alleges that the zinc level led to a copper deficiency, which in turn led to a neuropathy that for a while forced her to use a wheelchair.
Psychology Today – Denture Adhesives Bite Back
Psychology Today reports on its Household Hazards blog:
In 2009, a hyper-specialized biomedical journal called NeuroToxicology published a fascinating piece of poison sleuthing (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19732792). The article documented a disturbing series of 11 cases all of whom shared an unusual and crippling constellation of troubles comprised of profound impairment of the nervous system and an inability to produce an adequate number of blood cells. The specific neurological problems included damage to peripheral nerves (called neuropathy) and the nervous system of the spinal column (called myelopathy). Four of the eleven were wheelchair-bound and four others required a walker for assistance. Moreover, these were not cases selected from an elderly, infirmed population: on average they were 46 years-old at symptom onset (the youngest was 31).
The treating physicians solved part of the puzzle early on. They established that a rare but recognized cause of combined cause of nervous system damage and bone marrow damage was at work – copper deficiency. Copper is an essential nutrient metal. We all need to take in certain amount of copper in our diets. Evolution has allowed for this to be tightly regulated in order to protect us from too much copper getting into our bodies. In fact, a failure of this system is manifest in a serious genetic illness of copper overload (Wilson’s disease). In contrast, too little copper is a hard achieve, although sometimes it is seen after gastric surgery or prolonged intravenous nutrition insufficient in copper.
There is one other well appreciated cause of copper deficiency: chronic excess intake of zinc, a practice that interferes with normal copper absorption. This problem is linked to the overuse of zinc-containing dietary supplements. A rare source of exogenous zinc is the pathological ingestion of coins associated with severe psychiatric illness; this has emerged as a particular problem following the substitution of zinc for copper as the major metal constituent of the U.S. penny. Early on for these 11 cases, the treating physicians not only documented the presence copper deficiency, but also showed that there was concomitant excess zinc. Then they hit a roadblock. Each of the patients denied knowingly ingesting heavy amounts of excess zinc; mysteriously, supplementation with copper corrected the blood deficiency yet elevated zinc levels persisted.
NPR – Zinc Levels In Poligrip Scrutinized
NPR reports:
Until very recently, the denture adhesive Super Poligrip contained high levels of zinc — enough, scientists say, to cause neurological damage in people who used too much of it. Host Linda Wertheimer talks to New York Times columnist David Leonhardt about why the product remained on the shelves for so long.
Listen here:
North American Precis Syndicate – Lawsuits Claim Denture Cream Linked To Illness
The North American Precis Syndicate reports on NJ.com:
A debilitating medical condition is taking a devastating bite out of the lives of many denture wearers.
The condition is a type of nerve damage called neuropathy–a tingling and weakness in the arms and legs. It may also develop into complete loss of sensation and make walking or standing nearly impossible.
Recent medical studies have linked zinc found in common over-the-counter denture creams to this devastating condition.
InjuryBoard – Denture Cream Linked to Zinc Poisoning
Ray De Lorenzi, of the American Association for Justice, writes on InjuryBoard:
GlaxoSmithKline sold dangerous denture cream for over 14 years, while there were plenty of studies to suggest the link between excessive zinc and copper deficiency. To alert consumers, it seems GlaxoSmithKline inserted a piece of paper into the product’s box containing statements that slightly resembled warnings. The headline on the insert read, “For Best Results Start With a Small Amount.”
It is unacceptable that GlaxoSmithKline neglected to recognize consumer safety as a top priority for over 14 years. Corporations must be held accountable when they place profits above the well-being of Americans.
24/7 Wall St. – Retirement Comes Early For Seniors Hopped Up On Poligrip
The blog 24/7 Wall St. writes:
[L]ast month, GlaxoSmithKline (the pharmaceutical company that can do nothing right) recalled a popular dental adhesive called Super Poligrip from the market because it contained high levels of Zinc, and some people who used the cream had shown some adverse symptoms associated with the effects of Zinc poisoning (they were dying)…While most of the things that go wrong with GSK are accidents caused by whatever ancient curse was placed upon them, this might not be the case with not-so-Super Poligrip. Apparently, warnings about the potential side effects of Zinc have been available for quite some time (decades). Even more troubling, at least one of these, featured in the journal Neurology, directly cited dental cream as a potential vehicle for poisoning. GSK’s response to this was to insert a tiny pamphlet in Super Poligrip boxes suggesting people apply the cream sparingly…
…Regardless, all’s well that ends well. we’re sure GSK will never market something again without exploring all possible side effects, and people with dentures can always use Procter & Gamble’s (PG) Fixodent, which only has half as much Zinc as Super Poligrip did. We’re sure that’s much safer.
New York Times – Weak Rules on Toxins and Safety
David Leonhardt of the New York Times reports:
For 14 years until just last month, GlaxoSmithKline sold a denture cream called Super Poligrip that contained high levels of zinc.
The zinc helped with adhesion and was probably safe so long as people used moderate amounts of cream. Indeed, the human body needs small amounts of zinc to function. But some people ended up using much larger amounts, and they began to develop the kind of nerve damage associated with excess zinc.
Johnny Howell of Winston-Salem, N.C., who was using a tube of Poligrip a week, had to quit his job as a car mechanic and now needs a walker to get around his house. He is 53 years old. Rodney Urbanek, another Poligrip customer, began using a walker in 2007, at age 63. He died a year later, apparently a result of a copper deficiency from “zinc overload,” according to his autopsy…
…Mr. Howell, the former mechanic, who is suing GlaxoSmithKline, said he was careful to apply the cream how the instructions showed. He was less careful, however, about dosage. One of his lawyers, Stephen McCarthy, told me the packaging did not previously contain specific instructions about how much to apply. GlaxoSmithKline did not dispute this.
BNET – Glaxo, P&G Breathing Easy: Denture-Cream Zinc-Poisoning Cases Still Few and Far Between
BNet is reporting:
GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) and Procter & Gamble (PG) are on the defensive over the use of zinc in their respective denture fixative brands, Poligrip and Fixodent. But they may have less to worry about than previously thought, as an expected tidal wave of lawsuits has so far been just a trickle.
Both companies have been sued by consumers who claim that zinc in the denture creams has caused nerve damage, but they have used different tactics to deal with the claims. The suits have been boosted by a study of neurological disorders caused by zinc-based denture cream in the journal Neurology.
In response, GSK announced it would stop making Poligrip with zinc. In Japan, the company recalled its products.
Huffington Post: Proctor & Gamble Adds Zinc Warning to Fixodent Website
Ed Blizzard, partner at Blizzard, McCarthy & Nabers writes on Huffington Post today:
Recently, Proctor & Gamble, manufacturer of popular Fixodent denture adhesives, added a warning to their website alerting consumers of the dangers associated with the zinc in its products. While the potential for zinc poisoning via one’s denture cream has been making news lately, Proctor & Gamble has so far refused to take any action to secure the safety of its consumers. This new warning is at least a step in the right direction.
Facing increased media scrutiny, and a number of lawsuits, GlaxoSmithKline, maker of popular Poligrip denture cream, announced last month that it would reformulate all of its adhesive products, no longer marketing adhesives containing zinc. While stopping short of a recall – which the company did in Japan two weeks later – this announcement was the first serious acknowledgment by a major manufacturer that these denture creams pose a serious health risk.
Unfortunately, Proctor & Gamble refused to follow the example set by Glaxo. Arguing that because its Fixodent products contained significantly less zinc that Glaxo’s Poligrip products, Proctor & Gamble has so far not failed to add even a simple warning to its packaging, let alone remove its zinc-containing creams from the market.
Despite the pharmaceutical giant’s assertions that its products are safe, the case of Lillian Steele from Toledo, Ohio proves otherwise. Lillian used Fixodent products for years, unaware that her adhesive even contained zinc, let alone that it could harm her. But after loyally using the Proctor & Gamble product daily, the 51-year-old lost feeling in her legs and now fears that she will soon be relegated to a wheelchair.
The Agonist – Of Day Jobs, Dentures and Tort Deform
Nat Wilson Turner writes on The Agonist:
One of the most interesting projects I’ve been working on is an endeavor to warn people of the dangers presented by denture creams such as Fixodent and Poligrip.
This will shock some of you, and others will not be surprised, but the relatively high levels of zinc present in these products present a very real danger to people with poorly fitting dentures who use a lot of adhesive to keep their false teeth in.
My clients have launched a web site called “Denture Cream Justice” where you can learn more than you ever wanted to know about neuropathy, the terrifying nerve syndrome caused by zinc overdose.
The reason I’m bringing this up at the Agonist is to emphasize the important role the plaintiff’s bar plays in policing corporate power. GlaxoSmithKline has pulled their zinc-containing denture creams from the market due to the pressure of the law suits and bad PR they’re facing.
Like unions and every other counter-balancing force to utterly unfettered corporate power, trial lawyers have been under siege for the past fifteen years. Our right to sue those who injure us has been collateral damage — although some would say that was the target the whole time.
NPR–WCPN: Lawsuits Claim Denture Creams Are Making People Sick
Hundreds of people across the country are suing the makers of two popular brands of denture cream claiming the adhesive caused various health problems from arm and leg numbness, to loss of balance. The Plain Dealer reports this is not just grandma and grandpa’s problem. Some of the people who’ve gotten sick have been as young as 26. The two brands under the microscope are Fixodent and Poligrip.
ABC Shreveport – Denture Adhesive User Claims Health Problems
Cleveland Plain Dealer – Lawsuits Claim Two Denture Creams Are Making People Ill
The Plain Dealer reports:
Hundreds of people across the United States have developed serious health problems that researchers have tied to zinc in denture adhesives. It’s important to note that the problems surfaced after what has been called long-term, excessive use — two or more tubes a week for years.
But this isn’t just Grandpa’s problem.
Those who’ve gotten sick have been as young as 26. Many are in their 40s and 50s. Their arms have gone numb, they’ve become incontinent, their legs have weakened so badly they need walkers and wheelchairs to get around.
“These are people who are very seriously hurt,” says Ed Blizzard, a Houston attorney suing two major denture-cream makers on behalf of people who’ve gotten sick. “A number of them can’t work anymore. They need help around the house. It’s dramatically affecting their lives.”
The most severe example he’s seen, he says, involved a 63-year-old man who used large amounts of denture cream for 14 years. He went from a cane to a walker to a wheelchair in three months’ time. He went on to lose all feeling below his waist and control of his bowels before he died in 2008.
Blizzard, a founding partner of Blizzard, McCarthy & Nabers, has filed five lawsuits against denture-cream makers and plans to file at least 20 more. He’s reviewing more than 100 additional cases to see if legal action is warranted.
St. Petersburg Times – Zinc in Adhesives at Fault?
The St. Petersburg Times reports:
In the wake of news reports that the zinc found in many denture adhesives could lead to neurological problems, hundreds of denture wearers have been calling lawyers, hoping to join the growing number of suits filed against the makers of Super Poligrip and Fixodent.
One Houston firm representing 15 plaintiffs in denture adhesive suits has received about 150 inquiries, including several dozen from the Tampa Bay area, since separate stories about the lawsuits were published in the St. Petersburg Times and the Fort Worth Star-Telegram of Texas.
But instead of calling a lawyer, worried denture wearers should be calling their doctor first, neurologists say. That’s because the symptoms many are reporting — numbness and tingling in the legs and arms — are more likely to be caused by problems such as diabetes, kidney or liver disorders or vitamin deficiencies than by excess zinc…
Even Ed Blizzard, a Houston lawyer handling several cases, says a potential litigant’s first visit should be to a doctor.
“We have told the people they should get tested for zinc and copper. They would need to establish first that they have neuropathy.”
Philadelphia Daily News – Zinc in Dental Adhesives Can Cause “Horrific Injuries”
The Philadelphia Daily News reports:
Numerous lawsuits filed against GlaxoSmithKline, maker of Poligrip, and Procter & Gamble, manufacturers of Fixodent, allege that the companies knew their products were dangerous and did not protect consumers.
The suits allege that adding zinc to the products had adverse – and in some cases devastating – health effects on some users…
A larger suit involving 75 plaintiffs is in federal court in Miami. In another Florida case, the family of Rodney Urbank, 63, has filed a wrongful death suit against GSK, claiming Poligrip contributed to his 2008 death.
On March 31, attorneys involved in the state suit are expected to come before Judge Moss to discuss discovery issues as the cases move to the deposition stage. The plaintiffs expect a trial as early as this fall.
ABC Dallas – Recall Issued for Super PoliGrip in Japan
ABC’s Dallas affiliate, WFAA, reports:
After GlaxoSmithKline’s recent announcement to halt production of Super PoliGrip with zinc, the product is now being recalled in Japan.
Zinc, an ingredient in Super PoliGrip has been linked to serious nerve damage called neuropathy.
A spokesperson for GlaxoSmithKline said they have issued the voluntary recall in Japan, claiming the reason why it hasn’t been recalled anywhere else is because the product is safe to use as directed.
GlaxoSmithKline Announces Recall of Poligrip in Japan
Blizzard, McCarthy & Nabers Calls on Company to Follow Suit in U.S.
HOUSTON, March 4 — Today, the Japanese subsidiary of pharmaceutical giant, GlaxoSmithKline (GSK), announced that it would begin a voluntary recall of Poligrip products that contain zinc in that country Friday. The company’s decision followed just three reports of adverse health effects in consumers of the product, sold in Japan as Poligrip EX.
Despite hundreds of American consumers reporting similar disabling effects stemming from the company’s many zinc-containing products in the U.S., Glaxo’s American subsidiary has yet to order a recall here. Rather, the company seems content to let current stocks of the potentially toxic product sell out, stating that consumers who use the products as directed, “may continue to do so safely.”
Attorney Ed Blizzard, of Blizzard, McCarthy & Nabers, which represents a number of clients crippled by Glaxo’s Poligrip products, called on the company to act responsibly and issue a similar recall in the United States. ”Hundreds of people have reported serious neurological damage associated with this company’s products, with potentially thousands more yet to come forward. If Glaxo is concerned enough to recall its products in Japan after only three similar reports, the only appropriate action to take is to follow suit here in America.”
On February 18, GSK announced that it would remove zinc from all of its denture adhesive products. That same day, it sent a letter to doctors warning them of the health risks posed by “long-term excessive use” of “zinc-containing denture adhesives Super Poligrip ‘Original’, Super Poligrip ‘Ultra Fresh,’ and Super Poligrip ‘Extra Care.’” The letter stated that in 2009, the company had “received an increased number of adverse event reports” that together with recent medical literature suggest there are serious dangers associated with the products.
For more information on the dangers associated with zinc and denture adhesive cream, visit www.denturecreamjustice.com.
Blizzard, McCarthy & Nabers, LLP, one of the nation’s leading pharmaceutical litigation firms, represents thousands of clients harmed by dangerous drugs and medical devices and has taken on some of the world’s largest corporations, including Bristol-Myers, GlaxoSmithKline, Merck, Pfizer and Dow Chemical.
Huffington Post – Denture Wearers’ Double Whammy: First They’re Poisoned, then They’re Blamed
Ed Blizzard writes in the Huffington Post:
On February 18, GlaxoSmithKline, the maker of popular denture cream products such as Super Poligrip, announced that it would remove zinc from all of its denture products. The company cited consumer safety concerns as the impetus for its decision and in a letter to doctors wrote that “long-term excessive use of GSK’s zinc-containing denture adhesives” poses a potentially serious health risk.
The pharmaceutical giant went on to state that in 2009, it received “an increased number of adverse event reports” associated with its denture cream adhesives and that together with recent medical literature, evidence is mounting that denture creams laced with zinc can be not only dangerous, but crippling. Still, the company’s willingness to take responsibility for the safety of its products ends there.
In the same letter to doctors [PDF], the company wrote “patients who have used Super Poligrip…in accordance with the instructions may continue to do so safely.” What the company fails to note is that for decades, its products carried no dosage instructions or warning about zinc at all. The products’ packaging simply told consumers to “start with a small amount” and “use more if needed.” Only within the past year did the company acknowledge the dangers associated with its product in a package insert.
Facing an ever growing number of lawsuits from consumers left permanently disabled by its products, Glaxo is utilizing a strategy that corporations often employ when confronted by their own malfeasance: blame the victim. But the company acknowledged that consumers who used excessive amounts of its product did so because they had poorly fitting dentures, which are quite costly to replace. Without clear instructions from the manufacturer, and a warning about the risk of poisoning, consumers cannot be expected to know how much of the product they can safely use.
While Glaxo’s decision to remove zinc from its products is a step in the right direction, the company cannot shrug off responsibility for the damage it’s done to countless consumers. And while its actions will hopefully prevent future cases of zinc poisoning, a shocking number of denture wearers have already been crippled by a product that most Americans consider innocuous, denture cream.
Denture Cream Maker Warns Doctors of Product Dangers
GlaxoSmithKline Continues to Blame Patients Crippled by Poligrip
HOUSTON, March 3 — Pharmaceutical giant, GlaxoSmithKline (GSK), has taken the extraordinary step of warning doctors about the dangers posed by its denture cream, while continuing to blame and mislead patients crippled by its products. On February 18, the company announced that it would remove zinc from all of its denture adhesive products, citing concerns about the “safety and health” of its consumers. GSK has added the potentially hazardous mineral to its adhesives for decades, despite overwhelming evidence that consuming large quantities of zinc over an extended period of time can cause serious neurological damage.
On the same day it announced that it would discontinue using zinc, the pharmaceutical giant sent a letter to doctors across the country warning them of the “potential health risk” posed by “long-term excessive use of GSK’s zinc-containing denture adhesives Super Poligrip ‘Original’, Super Poligrip ‘Ultra Fresh’, and Super Poligrip ‘Extra Care.’” [PDF] The letter stated that in 2009, the company had “received an increased number of adverse event reports” that together with recent medical literature suggest that there were serious dangers associated with denture adhesives spiked with zinc.
Even as Glaxo warned doctors of the dangers posed by its denture cream, the company continued to blame users of its products, writing, “some patients apply more adhesive than directed and use it more than once per day.”
Leading pharmaceutical attorney, Ed Blizzard of Blizzard, McCarthy & Nabers, noted that Super Poligrip lacked any labeling warning of these risks until recently. “It is more than a little unfair to blame denture wearers for using the product as needed. These victims weren’t eating their adhesives like frosting. They were merely trying to keep their dentures in their mouth.”
Currently, about 70 lawsuits have been consolidated into multi-district litigation in Miami against both GlaxoSmithKline and Proctor & Gamble, makers of denture adhesive containing zinc. And at least 20 other mass tort claims have been filed in Philadelphia, where GlaxoSmithKline’s headquarters are located. Recently, Blizzard was named to the Plaintiffs’ Steering Committee for the Miami MDL.
While GSK’s decision to remove zinc from its adhesives bodes well for future consumers of its products, Fixodent, made by Proctor & Gamble, still contains the mineral. It’s crucial that anyone currently using either Poligrip or Fixodent and experiencing weakness or numbness seek medical attention immediately. For more information about the dangers of zinc and denture adhesives, please visit www.denturecreamjustice.com.
Blizzard, McCarthy & Nabers, LLC, one of the nation’s leading pharmaceutical litigation firms, represents thousands of clients harmed by dangerous drugs and medical devices and has taken on some of the world’s largest corporations, including Bristol-Myers, GlaxoSmithKline, Merck, Pfizer and Dow Chemical.
For more information on the symptoms of denture adhesive cream zinc poisoning, please visit our Denture Cream FAQ page.
For more information about Blizzard, McCarthy & Nabers, please visit our About Us page.
Consumer Affairs – Super PoliGrip to Go Zinc-Free
Consumer Affairs reports:
The manufacturer of Super PoliGrip announced last week that it is removing zinc from its denture cream formula, the latest and most dramatic response to criticism from consumer groups and an ever-growing list of lawsuits claiming health problems as a result of excessive zinc intake.
An extreme case was Elizabeth Gilley, a 26-year-old woman profiled earlier this month in Time Magazine. Gilley has worn dentures and used denture cream on a daily basis since a genetic condition ate away at her teeth when she was a teenager. Gilley experienced numb extremities and heavy breathing, symptoms which got worse over a six-month period, and eventually caused her to collapse. She is now confined to a wheelchair, and is one of many American consumers who have filed suits against GSK.
WFAA – FDA comments on denture paste poisoning reports
WFAA in Dallas reports:
A spokesperson with the Food and Drug Administration now says they became concerned about the potential of zinc overload from denture adhesives early last year.
Thursday, GlaxoSmithKline announced it will quit making and supplying stores with Super PoliGrip until it can be reformulated zinc-free.
Huffington Post – Admitting Guilt on Deadly Denture Cream
Ed Blizzard writes in the Huffington Post:
In 2008, Rodney Urbanek, a healthy 64-year-old Miami man began having trouble walking. Within months, he was paralyzed below the waist and confined to a wheelchair. Rodney was unable to move his limbs and eventually, unable to get out of bed. His condition worsened and his paralysis extended to his diaphragm, which ultimately led to his death in May 2008. What led to Rodney’s symptoms and eventual death? His denture adhesive, Poligrip.
Just months after Rodney’s death, a groundbreaking study published in the medical journal Neurology established a connection between the zinc found in popular denture adhesives brands and serious nerve damage. The study showed that patients who used heavy amounts of denture cream suffered zinc overload, which can purge the body of copper, a mineral needed for healthy brain and nervous system function. Copper deficiency can cause anemia, weakness, numbness in the limbs, difficulty walking and permanent paralysis.
Facing over a hundred lawsuits over its failure to warn consumers of the risks associated with its products, GlaxoSmithKline announced February 18 that it would voluntarily remove zinc from its adhesives. The company cited “potential health risks associated with long-term excessive use” and announced plans to release reformulated denture creams by April or May of this year.
As promising as Glaxo’s actions may be, consumers are not yet out of the woods. Proctor & Gamble, makers of the popular denture adhesive Fixodent, also add zinc to their products. Amid the media frenzy surrounding GSK’s announcement Thursday, Proctor & Gamble were disturbingly silent. It is critical that Proctor & Gamble follow Glaxo’s lead and remove zinc from its denture products. Further, consumers must demand that companies disclose any health risks their products might pose. No one should suffer the fate of Rodney Urbanek again.
St. Petersburg Times – Super Poligrip to go zinc-free after consumer complaints
The St. Petersburg Times writes:
Facing scores of lawsuits from consumers who say denture adhesive caused them serious health problems, the maker of Super Poligrip announced Thursday that it will stop making and distributing all its denture products that contain zinc.
The manufacturer, GlaxoSmithKline, also warned consumers of the “potential health risks associated with long-term excessive use” of the products, which may include numbness, tingling or weakness in the arms and legs, difficulties with walking and balance and anemia.
Ed Blizzard, a Miami lawyer who has filed several suits, called the announcement “a responsible action for GSK to take and a victory for consumers,” but said it came years too late.
Blizzard represents the family of Rodney Urbanek, a longtime Miami resident who died in 2008 in South Carolina at age 64 of respiratory distress syndrome, linked to neurological problems caused by longtime use of Super Poligrip.
Fort Worth Star-Telegram – GlaxoSmithKline to stop manufacturing denture creams that contain zinc
The Fort Worth Star-Telegram reports:
The maker of a popular denture adhesive said Thursday that it will stop making the product and reformulate it to remove zinc, which has been linked to neurological problems.
The announcement surprised Elizabeth Gilley, who recently filed a lawsuit against GlaxoSmithKline, which makes the adhesive that she started using at age 15. The 26-year-old Mineral Wells woman, who developed neurological problems after using the denture cream, was featured in a Star-Telegram article this month.
GlaxoSmithKline has added the potentially hazardous material to its adhesive for decades, despite evidence that consuming large amounts of zinc over an extended period can cause serious neurological damage, said Houston lawyer Ed Blizzard, who represented Gilley in the lawsuit.
“Today’s announcement is a responsible action for GSK to take and a victory for consumers,” he said. “Unfortunately, it comes far too late for the hundreds, if not thousands, of people who have been crippled by zinc.”
Raleigh News & Observer – GSK to halt sales of denture adhesive Poligrip
The Raleigh News & Observer reports:
GlaxoSmithKline announced today it will stop making, selling and advertising its Super Poligrip brands of denture adhesives that contain zinc.
The announcement comes after numerous people, including a Winston-Salem man, said they suffered permanent neurological damage when they ingested the mineral, which had been included as an adhesive. Many consumers used large amounts of the creams to keep ill-fitting dentures in place.
Johnny Howell of Winston-Salem said he blames his disability on years of using Poligrip products. His legs buckle unexpectedly, causing him to fall and injure himself. He cannot drive, nor work. He said today he is pleased the company will no longer sell the products.
“I hope it is a victory, because the fact that it could happen to me, it could end up hurting or killing someone else,” Howell said.
FindLaw – Denture Cream Manufacturers: What Did They Know?
Recent media attention about over-the-counter denture cream causing crippling neurological damage raises two obvious questions for the drug companies: What did they know and When did they know it? When you are trying to determine what a drug company knew, and when they knew it, the first place to look is the medical literature. They do after all make billions of dollars selling products to be placed in our bodies. And general legal principles and FDA regulations, not to mention, the Hippocratic oath, dictate that drug companies carefully analyze the potential toxicity of the ingredients of their products. So when GlaxoSmithKline and Proctor & Gamble began putting Zinc in denture cream, what did the medical literature tell them about the health risks to the people buying their products?
The answer: It told them that excess zinc can cause a crippling neurologic syndrome, involving myelopathy and sometimes polyneuropathy. This syndrome is characterized by a loss of the ability to feel or use the arms and legs, and can even result in complete paralysis.
MyDD – Denture Cream With Zinc Latest Unsafe Product to Leave the Market
MyDD writes:
There has been a succession of stories recently about people getting dreadful diseases from use of popular denture creams and Glaxo is probably feeling the liability heat.
Blizzard has launched a web site called Denture Cream Justice to advise those who fear they have been harmed by zinc in their denture cream.
NPR – Glaxo Pulling Some Poligrip From Market Over Zinc Risk
NPR reports:
Wearing dentures isn’t anybody’s idea of fun. But nobody expects that the glue used to hold the darn things in place could lead to nerve damage.
Glaxo removing Poligrip containing zinc from the market.
Glaxo warned about health risks from these three formulas of Poligrip. (GSK)
Amid a rising tide of lawsuits that claim some denture adhesives containing zinc have caused serious nerve problems, drugmaker GlaxoSmithKline is pulling some Poligrip products from the market while the company works on zinc-free formulas.
Ed Blizzard, a plaintiffs lawyer, praises Glaxo’s action in a statement and called it “a victory for consumers.” But, he says, “it comes far too late for the hundreds–if not thousands–of people who have been crippled by zinc poisoning.”
Wall Street Journal – Glaxo to Remove Zinc From Denture Cream
The Wall Street Journal reports:
GlaxoSmithKline PLC Thursday warned consumers about denture creams that contain zinc and said it had taken “voluntary, precautionary” measures to stop making and supplying those products, which it said have been linked with health problems if used excessively over a long period.
“We are taking these actions because we have become aware of potential health problems associated with the long-term excessive use of our zinc-containing denture adhesive products,” the company said on its Web site.
[...]
A combined federal case with more than 70 patients was established in 2009 in Miami. Plaintiffs allege several neurological problems, including crippling nerve damage impeding their ability to walk or use their hands.
There are fewer suits against P&G, according to tort lawyer Ed Blizzard of Houston. That product may contain a lower zinc concentration, according to a 2008 study in the medical journal Neurology. The study was done by researchers at the University of Texas, the University of Colorado and the Mayo Clinic, with no disclosed ties to drug makers.
The 2008 Neurology study prompted some of the litigation. It said dental creams may be the source of “excess zinc” found in patients. High doses of zinc, the study said, cause copper deficiency, which has been linked to nerve damage for about a decade. The study indicated that regular use of large amounts of adhesive—such as two tubes a week—provided several times the recommended daily allowance of zinc. Mr. Blizzard said some patients need to use a lot of denture adhesive to keep their teeth in.
AP – Glaxo to remove zinc from denture cream
The AP reports:
WASHINGTON — GlaxoSmithKline says it will remove zinc from its denture cream, following reports that excessive use has caused neurological damage and blood problems in consumers.
The British manufacture will cease manufacturing and marketing Super Poligrip Original, Ultra Fresh and Extra Care products in the U.S. The company plans to reformulate the creams without zinc.
Glaxo’s voluntary action follows dozens of lawsuits filed against the company alleging Poligrip caused nerve damage, resulting in symptoms such as weakness and numbness, as well as blood problems like anemia.
The company says its products are safe when used as directed, but some consumers use the cream excessively to help make their dentures fit.
Attorney Ed Blizzard, who represents several dozen plaintiffs, said Poligrip contains 38 milligrams of zinc per ounce.
Although one tube is meant to last 8 to 10 weeks, Blizzard says some of his patients were using a tube of Poligrip a week, giving them about 45 times the recommended dose of zinc.
Blizzard is encouraged by Glaxo’s decision to phase out the product, but he says it’s no indication the company plans to settle the lawsuits.
Copyright © 2010 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.
Consumer Advisory – 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’.
GlaxoSmithKline posted the following consumer advisory today:
This communication is to alert consumers to a potential health risk from long-term excessive use of zinc-containing denture adhesives Super Poligrip ‘Original’, ‘Ultra Fresh’ and ’Extra Care’.
While zinc is an essential part of the diet, recent publications suggest that an excessive intake of zinc-containing denture adhesives over several years may lead to the development of neurological symptoms and blood problems such as anemia. Neurological symptoms may include numbness, tingling or weakness in the arms and legs and difficulties with walking and balance.
Super Poligrip is safe to use as directed in the product label (see below). The majority of consumers follow these directions. However, some consumers apply more adhesive than directed and use it more than once per day. Therefore, as a precautionary measure to minimize any potential risks to these consumers, GSK has voluntarily stopped the manufacture, distribution and advertising of these products. GSK has discussed this situation with the FDA and no further action is required.
What consumers should do
If you 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 your health, you must:
1. Stop using the product.
2. Talk to your doctor.
3. Use a zinc-free alternative such as Super Poligrip ‘Free,’ Super Poligrip ‘Comfort Seal Strips’, or Super Poligrip ‘Powder’.People with ill-fitting dentures should seek help from their dental care professional, rather than compensate for poorly fitting dentures by using excessive adhesive.
Polident Denture Cleanser tablets contain no zinc and are not affected by this announcement.
GSK will soon be introducing zinc-free versions of Super Poligrip ‘Original’, ‘Ultra Fresh’ and ’Extra Care’. Zinc Free Formula will be clearly shown on the new packaging.
Consumers with questions may call GSK toll free on 1-866-640-1017.
For more information on Super Poligrip and zinc, visit http://www.poligrip.com.
Super Poligrip ‘Original’, ‘Ultra Fresh’ and ’Extra Care’ directions for safe and effective use:
DIRECTIONS: Super Poligrip holds all day. Apply once a day for secure hold. Start with a small amount. Using too much adhesive can cause oozing. If oozing occurs, use less adhesive next time. Do not apply more than once a day. A 2.4 oz tube should last about 8 to 10 weeks. If not, you are using too much adhesive which may be a sign of ill-fitting dentures. See your dentist regularly. Routine dental examinations are part of good oral health and necessary to check the fit of your denture.
APPLYING
1. Clean and dry your dentures.
2. Apply adhesive in two or three short ¼” strips, not too close to denture edges.
3. Rinse mouth before inserting dentures.
4. Press dentures in place, hold firmly, and bite down for a few seconds to secure.
• To keep tip from clogging, keep cap and nozzle dry.REMOVING
1. Swish mouth with water.
2. Slowly remove dentures by using a rocking motion.
3. Remove denture adhesive residue from denture and mouth with warm water and a soft brush.
4. Use Polident Denture Cleanser to thoroughly clean your denture.IMPORTANT PRODUCT INFORMATION:
• This product contains zinc. Talk to your doctor before using this product if you are taking daily zinc supplements.
• Do not use if you have sensitivity to any of the cream ingredients. If discomfort occurs discontinue use.
• Swallowing small amounts of this product, when used as directed, may occur and is not harmful.
• Use only as directed. Using excessive amounts of this product over a prolonged period of time has been reported to result in serious health effects from increased zinc intake.
Leading Denture Cream Litigation Firm Welcomes GSK Announcement of Removal of Zinc From Its Denture Creams
Untold Numbers of Consumers Still Left Disabled By Its Products
WASHINGTON, Feb. 18 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — GlaxoSmithKline, the maker of popular denture adhesives Poligrip and Super Poligrip, announced today that it will remove zinc from all of its denture adhesive products. The pharmaceutical giant has added the potentially hazardous mineral to its adhesives for decades, despite overwhelming evidence that consuming large quantities of zinc over an extended period of time can cause serious neurological damage.
The leading national pharmaceutical litigation firm, Blizzard, McCarthy and Nabers, which represents dozens of consumers poisoned by denture cream zinc, welcomed the announcement:
“Representing dozens of patients poisoned by zinc in denture cream, we have seen the damage wrought by this toxin,” said attorney Ed Blizzard. ”Today’s announcement is a responsible action for GSK to take and a victory for consumers. Unfortunately, it comes far too late for the hundreds – if not thousands – of people who have been crippled by zinc poisoning. While we applaud the efforts of GlaxoSmithKline to make their products safer, the reality is, it should have removed zinc from its adhesives years ago.”
Currently, about 70 lawsuits have been filed in Miami’s Multi-District Litigation against both GlaxoSmithKline and Proctor & Gamble, makers of denture adhesive containing zinc. And at least 20 other mass tort claims have been filed in Philadelphia, where GlaxoSmithKline’s headquarters are located. Recently, Blizzard was named to the Plaintiffs’ Steering Committee for the Miami MDL.
“While today’s announcement is a positive step, consumers are still largely unaware of the dangers posed by zinc-laced denture adhesives,” said Scott Nabers, partner at Blizzard, McCarthy and Nabers, who is handling the firm’s cases in the Philadelphia Mass Tort Program. ”Poligrip products are also not the only adhesives on the market spiked with the mineral. Procter & Gamble, the makers of Fixodent, should also withdraw it’s zinc-containing denture cream product as it carries the same zinc poisoning risks to consumers.”
Over the last two years, three separate scientific studies have reported a direct connection between the use of zinc-laden denture adhesives and serious neurological disorders such as neuropathy. A 2008 study published in Neurology concluded, “chronic excessive use [of denture adhesives] may result in…serious neurological disease.” Another study published last year in NeuroToxicology identified 11 patients suffering zinc-related neurological damage and concluded that the “use of denture cream appear[ed] to be the sole source of excess zinc in these patients.”
GSK’s statement on its decision to remove zinc from its products can be found here: http://www.gsk.com/media/denture-adhesive.htm.
For more information, see stories in the Fort Worth Star-Telegram and the St. Petersburg Times.
More information about denture cream is available at www.denturecreamjustice.com.
Blizzard, McCarthy & Nabers, LLC, one of the nation’s leading pharmaceutical litigation firms, represents thousands of clients harmed by dangerous drugs and medical devices and has taken on some of the world’s largest corporations, including Bristol-Myers, GlaxoSmithKline, Merck, Pfizer and Dow Chemical.
Minot Daily News – Unraveling a Mystery: Persistent Weakness, Nausea Traced to Zinc Overload
The Minot Daily News writes:
Karen Erickson, a Minot resident, reviews medical studies suggesting a link between the use of a denture adhesive and zinc poisoning. In 2007, Erickson was diagnosed with zinc induced copper deficiency.
The cause of Karen Erickson’s symptoms was unknown. All she knew was that she felt weak and nauseated, starting back in 2005. In October of 2005, she sought treatment from her primary physician.
Erickson was later referred to a neurologist, because she was also experiencing numbness in her hands and feet. She didn’t respond to the medications prescribed. But her primary physician had noticed that in her blood work, her red and white blood cell counts were low.
[...]
“I kept looking, trying to find an answer. I stumbled across some information that denture cream had a lot of zinc. I didn’t think that would apply to her,” Makoni said.
“Out of the blue he asked me if I used it (denture cream) and it all came together,” Erickson said.
Makoni explained that zinc is a mineral used in denture creams to help them cement dentures to the gums.
Houston-based pharmaceutical attorney Ed Blizzard has filed a lawsuit on behalf of Erickson in Philadelphia, where the headquarters of Poligrip’s maker, GlaxoSmithKline, are located. About 20 other claimants have also filed suits in mass tort court in Pennsylvania.
The St. Petersburg Times – Denture adhesives cited in lawsuits
The St. Petersburg Times writes:
A Miami man in his 60s suddenly has trouble walking. A Colorado woman in her 40s starts losing the use of her legs. A Texas woman in her 20s feels tingling, then numbness that starts in her feet and crawls up to her thighs.
All three blame an unlikely suspect: denture adhesives.
A growing number of lawsuits are being filed against the manufacturers of popular products like Super Poligrip and Fixodent, alleging that the zinc in the adhesives is leading to serious neurological problems — and in one case, death. In Miami alone, more than 70 such cases have been filed, and although none is in Tampa Bay area courts, local prosthodontists say their denture-wearing patients are asking how they can protect themselves.
[...]
Denture adhesive manufacturers “didn’t tell anybody the right amounts to use. They didn’t warn people that if they didn’t use the right amounts that they could be crippled,” said attorney Ed Blizzard, who filed a suit in Miami in December against GlaxoSmithKline on behalf of the family of Rodney Urbanek.
Urbanek, a longtime Super Poligrip user, started having trouble walking in late 2006, according to his wife, Gisela. Eventually he became paralyzed below the waist and died in May 2008 at age 64 in a hospital in South Carolina, where the couple moved after living in Miami for many years. Blizzard said an autopsy showed Urbanek’s paralysis and death were linked to his use of denture adhesive.
Huffington Post – Is Your Medicine Cabinet Poisoning You?
Edward Blizzard writes in the Huffington Post:
Last year, the Food & Drug Administration pulled the cold remedy [Zicam] from shelves because it was causing consumers to permanently lose their sense of smell. The FDA documented more than 130 cases of consumers who suffered long-lasting or even permanent nerve damage as a result of the drug.
Now, Americans have yet another product to be wary of: denture adhesive. As strange as it sounds, dozens of consumers have been left permanently disabled by this seemingly innocuous product. The makers of popular brands of denture cream, Poligrip and Fixodent, have been adding zinc to their denture cream product for years – and not just trace amounts. In fact, Poligrip denture cream contains more than four times the recommended daily dose in each gram of the adhesive.
Consumed in large quantities over extended periods of time, zinc can cause serious neurological problems, including a condition known as neuropathy. The American Academy of Neurology published a study in October 2008 documenting the medical link between denture cream and neurological disease. This condition, which generally manifests itself through a loss of sensation or tingling in the hands and feet, is progressive and often extremely debilitating. More information on the disturbing symptoms of denture cream zinc poisoning is available online at www.denturecreamjustice.com.
As an attorney, I’ve seen the damage these denture creams can do first hand. Currently, I represent eight consumers who have been permanently disabled by their denture adhesives – one of whom, Rodney Urbanek, actually died. And my clients are not alone. So far, approximately 85 lawsuits have been filed in Miami and Philadelphia against the makers of these zinc-laden Fixodent and Poligrip denture creams, GlaxoSmithKline and Proctor & Gamble.
United Press International – Denture cream zinc allegedly harmful
United Press International reports:
A Texas woman allegedly became wheelchair-bound from using more than the recommended amount of denture cream containing zinc, a lawsuit indicates.
[...]
Ed Blizzard of Houston, Gilley’s attorney, said denture wearers did not know they should use a particular amount of the cream because until recently there were no warnings against using as much as they needed.
“In fact, on the box, it said that if the amount you’re using doesn’t work, use more,” Blizzard said.
Time Magazine – A potential danger in denture cream?
Time Magazine’s Wellness Blog reports:
According to a report from a Fort Worth, Texas newspaper, a previously healthy 26-year-old woman may now be permanently handicapped because long-term exposure to zinc in denture cream eroded her health. At age 26, Elizabeth Gilley, was rushed to the hospital after her unexpected symptoms—numbness in her feet and legs, labored breathing—worsened over six months, until she finally collapsed, the Star-Telegram reports. At the hospital, she was originally diagnosed with leukemia, yet when the blood tests didn’t bear out the diagnosis, doctors were left scratching their heads. It wasn’t until a year after that initial visit that a doctor finally homed in on the potential cause—her denture cream.
Forth Worth Star-Telegram – Suspected culprit in Mineral Wells woman’s debilitating disorder: denture cream
The Forth Worth Star-Telegram writes:
It began with a tingling sensation, as if her foot was going to sleep.
Then numbness set in. It crept up to Elizabeth Gilley’s calf and onto her thigh.
Over the next six months, the Mineral Wells woman grew weaker, her skin turned pale, and she could barely walk across the room without gasping for breath.
When she collapsed in 2007, Gilley was taken to a hospital.
After a year of seeing doctor after doctor, she finally found out what was causing the symptoms, but she could hardly believe what the physician was telling her.
“Within five minutes of seeing him, he asked me if I wore denture cream,” said Gilley, 26, who was forced to get dentures as a teenager after a genetic condition ruined her teeth. “I handed him the tube; he told me to stop using it.”
But dozens of people have been permanently disabled after using the cream for years, and at least one person has died, said Ed Blizzard of Houston, Gilley’s attorney.
“I believe this is just the tip of the iceberg,” he said. “I think a lot of people out there have neuropathy and don’t know it could be connected to their dentures.”
This story was reprinted in the Boston Herald, Sacramento Bee, Deseret News, South Florida Sun-Sentinel and St. Paul Pioneer Press.
Louisville Courier-Journal – Denture cream, zinc under fire; neurological problems cited
The Louisville Courier-Journal reports:
Using denture cream might seem like an innocuous thing. But if it contains zinc, you should be mindful of possible health risks, some health-care providers say.
Dr. Sharon Nations, a Texas neurologist, and colleagues have seen neurological problems in people who used large amounts of zinc-containing denture cream, such as two or more tubes a week. And similar cases have spawned lawsuits across the country, according to media reports.
[...]
Health problems among the patients included limb weakness; abornormal sensations, such as numbness or tingling; incontinence; and poor balance.
Victoria Advocate – Zinc poisoning caused by too much use of denture cream
The Victoria Advocate reports:
[Lawsuits] began following a 2008 study performed at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center that described four patients who all used excessive amount of denture cream and had various nerve-related disorders.
[...]
It appears it’s the overuse of the product that is causing the problem. A tube is supposed to last three to 10 weeks, with directions calling for only small dabs of the adhesive to keep dentures in place.
The Scotsman – Toxic denture cream killed my husband, says widow
The Scotsman reports:
An American widow has launched a lawsuit alleging that her husband was killed by his dentures.
The family of Rodney Urbanek, 64, claim he died from deadly levels of zinc ingested from a toxic denture adhesive that he used for 14 years.
It is believed to be the first case in the United States of a death blamed on poisoning from denture cream.
Mr Urbanek was healthy in early 2007, but became paralysed below the waist a few months later and confined to a wheelchair, according to the lawsuit filed against the US arm of GlaxoSmithKline. He died from pneumonia in a nursing home in 2008.
Edward Blizzard, the lawyer representing Mr Urbanek’s widow Gisela, 59, and daughter Deanne, 38, said: “The makers of these adhesives knew full well that high levels of zinc posed a serious threat to the health of their consumers, but did nothing.”
NBC Miami – Lawsuit: Deadly Dentures Killed Miami Man
NBC Miami reports:
The widow and daughter of a Miami man who died at a South Carolina nursing facility in 2008 have filed a lawsuit against the maker of his denture adhesive, claiming his paralysis and death were a result of toxic Poligrip.
The family of Rodney Urbanek claims the 64-year-old ingested deadly levels of zinc through the product, causing him paralysis and ultimately death through pneumonia. It may be the first denture death in the U.S., the family’s attorney claims.
[...]
“Rodney’s case is a troubling example of what can happen when manufacturers fail to warn consumers about the risks associated with their products,” said attorney Ed Blizzard, in a released statement. “The makers of these denture adhesives knew full well that high levels of zinc posed a serious threat to the health of their consumers, but did nothing.”
Huffington Post – Zinc Dentures Risk: Adhesives Blamed For Nerve Damage
Huffington Post reports:
Zinc in denture adhesives has been blamed in dozens of cases of nerve damage, including that of a North Carolina man who says 20 years of using the glues caused him to become disabled.
About 40 million Americans have dentures and use adhesives to secure them, and the products have long been considered benign.
McClatchy Newspapers – Zinc Blamed for Denture-Wearers’ Problems
McClatchy Newspapers reports:
Zinc in denture adhesives has been blamed in dozens of cases of nerve damage, including that of a North Carolina man who says 20 years of using the glues caused him to become disabled.
The products, namely Poligrip brands from GlaxoSmithKline and Fixodent from Procter & Gamble, use zinc as a bonding agent. Scientists have only recently drawn a link between the zinc-containing denture creams and possible neurological problems.
[...]
Ed Blizzard, a Houston lawyer who is representing Howell and dozens of other patients, said many of the people he represents have suffered permanent disabilities, and at least one person has died.
As a result, he said, GSK’s disclosure and warnings come too late. For years, he said, consumers had no idea that the tubes of adhesive contained zinc, or that zinc could be so harmful in high doses.
“Glaxo says don’t use the product in excess,” Blizzard said, “as if these people were alcoholics or something. They’re just trying to keep their teeth in their mouth.”
Story reprinted in the News & Observer, St. Louis Post-Dispatch, The Times Leader, Sacramento Bee, Fort Wayne Journal Gazette, and Abilene Reporter News.
L.A. Times – Zinc may ward off viruses but there are dangers
The L.A. Times reports:
Zinc raised other alarms last year, when researchers began to notice weakness, balance and memory issues and other neurological trouble in some patients. Sleuthing revealed the only common link: All of the patients used large amounts of denture cream enhanced with zinc.
In some cases, nerve damage was permanent. Packages of Super Poligrip now include inserts telling people to talk to their doctors if also taking zinc supplements and to use the products as directed.
New York Times – Fear of Falling
The New York Times reports:
“What can you do for me that all the doctors who have already seen me haven’t?” the woman demanded. Her face was puckered with frustration, her voice edged with irritation. Poorly fitting dentures clipped her words. “I’m too weak to walk and almost too tired to care,” she added, her voice dropping to a whisper. Dr. Bilal Ahmed nodded sympathetically. He had heard about the woman’s mysterious debility from the resident who admitted her to Highland Hospital in Rochester the night before.
A couple of years earlier she started “walking like a drunk,” she told the slender, middle-aged doctor. Her legs were weak and her feet were numb. The only feeling she had in them was a pins-and-needles sensation, as if her feet had gone to sleep and never woke up. A few months ago she started falling. She broke her ankle in a particularly bad fall; the ankle got better, but she didn’t. Now she was in a wheelchair.
New York Times – F.D.A. Warns Against Use of Popular Cold Remedy
The New York Times reports:
Federal drug regulators warned consumers to stop using Zicam, a popular homeopathic cold remedy, because it could damage or destroy their sense of smell.
The action is an early indication that the Obama administration is likely to take far more aggressive enforcement actions against drug companies than the Bush administration did.
The Food and Drug Administration received 130 reports from consumers and doctors of people losing their sense of smell after using one of the Zicam nasal products, which include Zicam Cold Remedy and Zicam Cold Remedy Swabs. The reports date to 1999, when Matrixx Initiatives of Scottsdale, Ariz., first introduced the products.
In 2006, Matrixx paid $12 million to settle 340 lawsuits from Zicam users who claimed that the product destroyed their sense of smell, a condition known as anosmia. Hundreds more such suits have since been filed.
