Side Effects of Poligrip and Fixodent

The side effects that have been associated with the use of Poligrip and Fixodent include the following:

• Numbness

• Tingling in the Hands or Feet

• Anemia

• Paralysis

• Muscle Weakness

• Unexplained Pain

• High or Elevated Zinc Blood Levels

• Low or Depleted Copper Levels

• Symptoms of Nerve Damage

• Bone Marrow Failure

While the examples above are not exhaustive in nature, each is a very serious health problem that puts the consumer in an immediate situation of danger.

The Most Serious Side Effect of Defective Denture Cream

However, the most serious side effect that’s been associated with the use of these products is a condition known as neuropathy, which is commonly a result of zinc poisoning. Neuropathy is a disorder that already tends to affect older people based on statistics, and it affects the peripheral nerves, including the spinal cord to the skin, muscles and internal organs.

In general, neuropathy remains somewhat of a medical mystery, in that it can be progressive in nature but doesn’t always play out in that manner, it can come and go in terms of the severity of the symptoms, and it can become completely debilitating. While there have been exceptions, most cases of neuropathy cannot be cured. Symptoms of neuropathy include:

• The sensation of wearing an invisible cover of a hand or foot

• Sensations of burning, freezing or being shocked with electricity

• Extreme sensitivity to touch

• Abnormal blood pressure

• Reduced ability to perspire

• Bladder problems

Other Zinc Poisoning Symptoms

It should initially be noted that overexposure to zinc will generally lead to zinc poisoning, and if this condition is left untreated it can ultimately be deadly. However, before the condition reaches that point, there are other common symptoms associated with zinc poisoning, and examples of them include:

• Intestinal problems

• Stomach cramps

• Diarrhea

• Nausea

• Vomiting

• Jaundice

• Fever

• Metallic taste in the mouth

Toxic Effects of Zinc Poisoning

Zinc is a substance that can cause harm if someone either does not ingest enough or takes in too much. In terms of over-ingestion, zinc toxicity can be both acute and chronic in form. Many of the effects of a high intake of zinc have been mentioned above, including nausea, vomiting, etc, but other problems that can arise include low copper status, an altered iron function, a reduction in the strength of the immune system and ultimately death.

Nutritional guides suggest that the average adult should ingest between 8 and 11 mgs of zinc per day, and those who have consumed between 150 – 450 mg of zinc per day have been more prone to the long-term effects of zinc poisoning.

How to Test for Zinc Poisoning

If you suspect that you are suffering from acute zinc poisoning, officials recommend that you drink milk and get to the emergency room. For both acute and chronic cases of zinc poisoning, doctors will generally perform the following tests to determine the extent of the damage:

• Urine test A Zinc RBC

• Urine test A Copper RBC

• Spot urine text for zinc

• Blood test for ceruloplasmin

What should be clear is that you need to obtain medical attention as soon as possible if you believe you’re suffering from zinc poisoning as a result of using Poligrip or Fixodent.

Poligrip and Fixodent Lawsuits

To this point, there have been several lawsuits filed against both GlaxoSmithKline PLC, the makers of Poligrip and Procter & Gamble Co., the manufacturer of Fixodent. There have been at least 12 lawsuits filed in federal court on behalf of consumers in California, Colorado, Florida, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania and Tennessee. These cases remain pending until a result is achieved from a multidistrict litigation panel hearing in Louisville, Kentucky.

The basic merit of these lawsuits should seem obvious – those who used these products developed neuropathy and other side effects indicative of zinc poisoning, and that the products at issue were the causes of these problems. For those who want to pursue their own legal rights, contacting a defective products attorney is the best place to start.

Anyone who’s been injured by these products should also save the containers of them and any documentation that proves that they used them. Potential plaintiffs should also request and save any medical records and/or insurance claims that relate to the health problems associated with the use of Fixodent and Poligrip.