Fixodent Zinc Poisoning – Denture Cream Injury Lawyers
Denture wearers have long relied on Fixodent to secure their dentures. Recent evidence suggests, however, that this drugstore staple may pose a serious health risk to some users.
Some denture creams, including Fixodent, include zinc. Since the product is used orally, the use of Fixodent can lead to the ingestion of high levels of zinc. While small amounts of zinc are necessary for normal bodily processes, large amounts can cause zinc poisoning, also referred to as hyperzincemia.
Because zinc competes with copper for absorption by the body, chronic excessive zinc consumption, which may occur with the use of certain denture adhesives, can cause copper deficiency. This condition is known as hypocupremia and can cause permanent neurological damage, neuropathy and other complications.
How Much Zinc Is Too Much?
Researchers have discovered that users of Fixodent and other denture creams may be exposed to as much as 330 mg of zinc per day. The recommended intake of zinc per day for men is 11 mg per day and for women is 8 mg per day. The highest dose of zinc that can be safely tolerated is 40 mg per day, according to health officials.
In 2008, the American Academy of Neurology published a study that concluded some denture wearers were absorbing excessive levels of zinc through their denture creams. The result of excess zinc can be a serious neurologic disease. The most severe symptoms result include:
- Muscle weakness, cramps, and spasms;
- Loss of balance and coordination;
- Tingling, and numbness most often in the legs and arms;
- Pain often described as a sensation of wearing an invisible glove or sock;
- Extreme sensitivity to touch.
While zinc levels have been found to return to normal after denture wearers stop using Fixodent, the neurological damage that results from long-term usage may be irreversible. Victims of zinc poisoning are often left with painful and life-altering injuries that leave them with limited mobility.
Not all medical professionals are aware of the potential for zinc poisoning from Fixodent use, so this situation has a high probability to be misdiagnosed. To ensure that the proper diagnosis is reached, it is imperative that patients with potential exposure to denture creams who are experiencing symptoms of excessive zinc levels or copper deficiency have blood tests to determine the exact cause of their distress
Protecting the Public
Currently, manufacturers are not required by the Food and Drug Administration to list potential health risks associated with their denture creams. Zinc is not even listed as an ingredient on the Fixodent packaging. That means consumers are not aware of the zinc content, and are not warned of the dangers of high zinc levels.
The illnesses denture wearers now face because of zinc exposure might have been avoided had the manufacturers told the public of the potential dangers of zinc. Attorneys are working through the legal system to hold these companies accountable for their negligence in not warning of the danger.
For more information, contact the law firm directly.
The Arnold Law Firm has an established record of representing those injured by the actions of others. The firm has an on-staff physician who is also an attorney to assist with cases that involve medical injuries. Located in Sacramento, California, the Arnold Law Firm has extensive experience with product defect and pharmaceutical litigation. Their attorneys are well-versed in fighting powerful drug companies and large corporate entities. To discuss your case, call (916) 924-3100 today or contact the firm online.
