Lawsuit Alleges Denture Cream Zinc Poisoning

December 8, 2009, 4:15PM. By Gordon Gibb

Miami, FLA lawsuit has been launched against the manufacturers of Fixodent denture adhesive and Super PoliGrip alleging denture cream zinc poisoning.

According to the complaint, the plaintiff, 61-year-old Jennifer J. Cornett, started wearing dentures nine years ago and has used both Fixodent and Super PoliGrip. The Nebraska woman was later diagnosed with neuropathy linked to elevated levels of zinc and a corresponding depletion of copper in her body.

Denture adhesive zinc poisoning can occur when excessive amounts of denture adhesive are used. Zinc is an active ingredient in the denture creams named in the lawsuit—products that carry recommendations for correct use but do not, it is alleged, adequately warn consumers of the presence of zinc in the products or discourage deviation from accepted use.

A healthy body requires a delicate balance of zinc and copper. When zinc levels spike, the corresponding levels of copper fall, and health issues can develop. As noted in the November 24 issue of Drug Law Weekly, Cornett currently suffers from profound and permanent neurological injuries that have robbed her of the capacity to perform her normal, customary and daily activities.

In August 2008, the peer-reviewed journal Neurology reported on four patients suffering from neuropathy and other neurological symptoms typical of zinc poisoning and copper depletion. It was determined that excess ingestion of zinc contained in denture cream could have been responsible for their symptoms.

Many users of denture cream who are unaware of the risks use excessive amounts of the product to anchor ill-fitting dentures or make sure their dentures don't slip.

Cornett argues that she would never have used Super PoliGrip and Fixodent if the defendants—GlaxoSmithKline (Super PoliGrip) and Procter and Gamble Manufacturing Corp. (Fixodent)—had properly disclosed the risks associated with the products. She alleges that the defendants failed to warn about the product risks.

Cornett's lawsuit has been consolidated with dozens of others for centralized and coordinated pre-trial proceedings in the Denture Cream Products Liability Litigation in the US District Court for the Southern District of Florida, Miami Division, before the Honorable Judge Cecilia Altonaga.