Fixodent Zinc Side Effects Warning Added to Proctor and Gamble Website

Proctor & Gamble has recently added a information to their denture cream website about the potential risk of problems from zinc in Fixodent, advising users to apply as little of the adhesive as possible. However, the company has given no indication that they will issue a Fixodent recall or reformulate their products to remove zinc, as GlaxoSmithKline recently did with their Super Poligrip denture creams.

The warning follows months of scrutiny and calls for the two manufacturers to take action to address the side effects of zinc in Fixodent and Super Poligrip denture cream. For years the products were sold with no warnings or even indication that they contained zinc.

When the products are used over a long period of time, or if too much of the denture cream is applied, high levels of zinc can enter the body. This can deplete copper levels and lead to the development of neuropathy and other neurological injuries.

Did You Know?

Millions of Philips CPAP Machines Recalled

Philips DreamStation, CPAP and BiPAP machines sold in recent years may pose a risk of cancer, lung damage and other injuries.

Learn More

A number of Fixodent lawsuits and Super Poligrip lawsuits have been filed against Proctor & Gamble and GlaxoSmithKline, alleging that users suffered permanent and disabling problems as a result of the manufacturers’ failure to warn that their denture cream products contained zinc and that use of adhesives could cause zinc poisoning.

In October 2009, GlaxoSmithKline finally added a zinc warning to Super Poligrip, indicating that use of excessive amounts of the adhesive could cause “serious health effects” and last month the company indicated it would discontinue Super Poligrip with zinc in the United States due to the risk of zinc poisoning.

Although the same risk of zinc problems with Fixodent exist, Proctor & Gamble has resisted placing any warnings on their product, claiming that Fixodent does not have as much zinc as Super Poligrip and is safe for use. However, according to a report by NewsInferno.com, new information was added in recent days to Proctor & Gamble’s Fixodent website, DentureLiving.com, warning that zinc is contained in the product and highlighting usage instructions.

The new Fixodent warning reads: “CAUTION: Contains zinc (less than 4%). Some reports suggest that excessive and prolonged zinc intake may be linked to adverse health effects.” The warning recommends that Fixodent be used as directed and that consumers should consult with their doctors if they are using other zinc-based products. It is unclear whether a similar warning and usage instructions will added to Fixodent products themselves.

Image Credit: |

17 Comments

  • MichaelJanuary 31, 2024 at 11:07 pm

    Idk if this is connected if had all these type symptoms. But am told may be diabetes by doc. And done all.test but don't know why now I've been having vision issues I have been using fixodent 20 years. Could this be why ??,

  • KarenNovember 14, 2020 at 8:48 am

    I’m ruined by something and cannot get any answers. I have extreme neuropathy of the hands and feet. I have explosions of pain, from the simplest tasks, including writing. My hands feel like very harsh pins and needles are covering them. I also have severe burning and itching, followed by blisters rising and the skin taking on an alligator skin roughness and the blisters peeling. It happens 2[Show More]I’m ruined by something and cannot get any answers. I have extreme neuropathy of the hands and feet. I have explosions of pain, from the simplest tasks, including writing. My hands feel like very harsh pins and needles are covering them. I also have severe burning and itching, followed by blisters rising and the skin taking on an alligator skin roughness and the blisters peeling. It happens 24 hours a day. I have unexplained lesions on the brain. I’ve had a lymph node taken off of my aorta, which was so big it was collapsing my lung. I had one taken off of the top of my leg by the hip, which stopped me from lifting my leg. I have enlarged lymph nodes on all of my joints and severe pain. The pain is outside the joints where the lymph nodes are located. They feel like golf balls. I’ve suffered from facial paralysis and partial seizures. Nothing can be explained by any expert. My hands at this moment are on fire and feel like someone is hitting them with a hammer. I’m extremely fatigued, lethargic and have memory loss. I’ve used the stuff for 30 years and I’m sick and tired of doctors acting like this is mental illness and I’m imagining it all. I’ve had high copper levels in tests and have been told not to worry about them. I no longer trust anyone in the medical profession. I call them practitioners, because they’re always practicing and can never manage to get it done. They suck. When I ask about the adhesive I’m brushed off

  • Armstrong LaureenOctober 14, 2020 at 4:37 pm

    Unlike their competitor, GSK, P G continues to market Fixodent with zinc. However, P G has added a warning on their corporate website and the product s packaging to alert consumers that they should only use minimal amounts of Fixodent. We believe those warnings remain inadequate. Mr. Chaffin s appointment to the leadership levels of the federal multi-district litigation (MDL) and Philadelphia, Pen[Show More]Unlike their competitor, GSK, P G continues to market Fixodent with zinc. However, P G has added a warning on their corporate website and the product s packaging to alert consumers that they should only use minimal amounts of Fixodent. We believe those warnings remain inadequate. Mr. Chaffin s appointment to the leadership levels of the federal multi-district litigation (MDL) and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania state-court Mass Tort Program (MTP) for denture cream lawsuits, including Fixodent lawsuits in particular.

  • barbaraOctober 25, 2019 at 3:20 pm

    I have full dentures and have used extra hold Fixodent for about 20 years. For years there is soreness and redness at corners of my mouth, no product to cure this has helped. Just recently have read the warning about zinc poisining and convinced this the cause I have also has joint problems

  • srcSeptember 6, 2017 at 7:54 pm

    i have used fixodent, for about 3yrs. it was not a problem with my mouth until recently i only have to use it to keep a partial retainer in my mouth at night, just recently i started experiencing very dry throat and my jaw and remaining teeth are aching. now not to say that there could be another reason for the achy jaw and teeth but i have no cavities, the most bothersome is the very dry throat, [Show More]i have used fixodent, for about 3yrs. it was not a problem with my mouth until recently i only have to use it to keep a partial retainer in my mouth at night, just recently i started experiencing very dry throat and my jaw and remaining teeth are aching. now not to say that there could be another reason for the achy jaw and teeth but i have no cavities, the most bothersome is the very dry throat, and the reason i think it is this product is because i left my retainer out for a nite and woke up with no dry throat, but when i used it again the next nite i had the bad experience once again. this product fixodent is the best adhesive i have ever used and #1 to poligrip in which i had to use often.

  • RayNovember 19, 2015 at 9:23 pm

    I'm a victum zinc poisoning)

  • maryOctober 11, 2014 at 11:48 am

    I am experiencing neuropathy symptoms, having been using Fixodent, poligrip for many years. I need a substitute that does not contain zinc. Does anyone have any ideas for me?

  • JimmySeptember 8, 2014 at 11:25 am

    Yes my husband has been sick for 1year 1/2 has went and went to the doctor all kind of test done they can't find out anything he did stop using fixodent and shop for another kind when we read about fixodent I just want my husband back he'll always tried head spending can't eat and he has been like that a long time.

  • ShirleyDecember 20, 2012 at 11:19 pm

    I was using fixodent....I haven't had my dentures a year yet...I am experiencing a constant sore throat...went to doctor thought it was strep throat was not. How can i get rid of this discomfort? how do i flush zinc out of my body?

  • kathiMarch 16, 2012 at 3:36 pm

    In 2009 I had a upper denture put in and started using Fixodent. Six months later I had two compression fractures in my spine. Five months later I had a "Frozen Shoulder" that took months of therapy. That ended in 2010. January of 2010 I noticed my left leg dragging when I walked. Dizziness and balance issued followed. In june of 2010 I felt numbness in my right leg that came and went. 2011 came t[Show More]In 2009 I had a upper denture put in and started using Fixodent. Six months later I had two compression fractures in my spine. Five months later I had a "Frozen Shoulder" that took months of therapy. That ended in 2010. January of 2010 I noticed my left leg dragging when I walked. Dizziness and balance issued followed. In june of 2010 I felt numbness in my right leg that came and went. 2011 came the pins and needles in my hands, fingers, toes. Sharp stabbing pains in head, legs, arms and fingers. Starting in 2011 (April) I went to several doctors and specialist because my legs stopped working most of the time. I had to use a wheelchair, cane, and walker to get around. Double vision followed, Optic Neuritis, terrible headaces, and loss of bladder control at times. Some of the specialist think it could be MS, others aren't so sure. On March 3, 2012 I read the article on Zinc poisoning so I immediately stopped using the Fixodent. Within a week I was walking better but still have alot of issues with that, and my tremors are getting better. Now tell me there is no way this product isn't responsible for making me an invalid at 59 years old. I went from cleaning 18 houses a week to being totally handicapped in a matter of months. I want the product off the market, I don't want to see anyone have to live the life I do everyday for the rest of my life. It's horrible. The pain is unbearable at times. It's humiliating to be so helpless.

  • DennisJanuary 26, 2012 at 8:44 pm

    I had both the upper and lower teeth pulled in 1992.I would go through at least a tube and a half of Fixodent a week, mainly because of the bottom. In 2005 at work I got a hernia so I thought I was going to go back to work and I started having symptoms. I would get out of bed and sometimes just fall to the floor.Had severe pain in my legs and couldn't walk a long distance. I had all kinds of test [Show More]I had both the upper and lower teeth pulled in 1992.I would go through at least a tube and a half of Fixodent a week, mainly because of the bottom. In 2005 at work I got a hernia so I thought I was going to go back to work and I started having symptoms. I would get out of bed and sometimes just fall to the floor.Had severe pain in my legs and couldn't walk a long distance. I had all kinds of test done and they couldn't really figure it out so they just diagnosis me with M.S but yet I don't have all the symptoms they have. Just recently had a MRI which showed 2 lesion in my brain but my Dr. said they were not M.S. lesions.Now he is confused again.

  • maryDecember 30, 2011 at 3:47 pm

    I have upper denture for ten years. I started using Fixodent cleanser a year ago. My gums have holes in them and bones protruding and a big round yellow sore on the upper right side of my gums. Never a problem until recently. Could this possibly be caused from the fixodent scope cleanser. Does anyone else have this problem. Thank you.

  • cynthiaMarch 25, 2011 at 5:40 pm

    i've used a form of denture adhesive sence i had my teeth pulled and plate put right in after they were pulled,and that has been almost 34 years now for the top plate and about 12 years for the bottom plate. I lost all my enamel from carring babys. My reumatoligist has been treating me for the most part for psoriatic arthritis for almost 10years. I've had corpral tunnel in both hands ;surgery on o[Show More]i've used a form of denture adhesive sence i had my teeth pulled and plate put right in after they were pulled,and that has been almost 34 years now for the top plate and about 12 years for the bottom plate. I lost all my enamel from carring babys. My reumatoligist has been treating me for the most part for psoriatic arthritis for almost 10years. I've had corpral tunnel in both hands ;surgery on one ,the other one i decieded to wait on till i couldn't move it . I've had lymphnodes taken out because they became filled with unknown substance ,at least no one told me what it was. I have had surgery on my right arm shoulder cup just bone spurs build up they swore i had a tear! .So i have weakness in me hand and feet and have been told hip,knees are going to be next. at not yet 53 i'm falling apart and to think a lot of it has came from the medication taken over the years for pain or just using products we thought would do us no harm because of the FDA told us it was ok to use the product,now years later we learn differentlly

  • RoseFebruary 20, 2011 at 8:33 pm

    I have had a top denture since 2001. I started using Fixodent to hold the top in since it became loose & I couldn't keep going & having adjustments.. Since 2001 I have had intense pain in my arms hands, knee joints & face. I had pains in my chest and this last 2 years have spent a enormous amount of money CT scans, MRI . I suddenly started with pains in my face head neck & had a lo[Show More]I have had a top denture since 2001. I started using Fixodent to hold the top in since it became loose & I couldn't keep going & having adjustments.. Since 2001 I have had intense pain in my arms hands, knee joints & face. I had pains in my chest and this last 2 years have spent a enormous amount of money CT scans, MRI . I suddenly started with pains in my face head neck & had a lot of testing. I was told I had trigeminal neuralgia . The doctors have had me on pain meds for over 2 years. The last was morphine, and sent me to a physical therapist & neurological doctor. They say that I have major nerve damage in arms & hands. I don't know what to think. I have had a lot of memory forgetfulness, but I thought maybe all the meds I was on was doing this? I do know that I have weakness in my arms & hands I can no longer open jars & use a can opener with really hurting myself, I am without feeling in my fingers & sometimes can't write with a pen or pencil so there is still something wrong.

  • PeggyOctober 26, 2010 at 12:55 am

    I had the same problem only I had 3 Stress Fractures within 1 1/2 years 2 were in my left knee and 1 in my right knee and two broken toes it was the worse pain I ever felt. I could not walk without cruches. And then only when I had to. I found out that it was coming from Actos medication you can find it on line but not in a doctor's PDR book. I quit taking Actos in Feb. 2010 and have not had a pro[Show More]I had the same problem only I had 3 Stress Fractures within 1 1/2 years 2 were in my left knee and 1 in my right knee and two broken toes it was the worse pain I ever felt. I could not walk without cruches. And then only when I had to. I found out that it was coming from Actos medication you can find it on line but not in a doctor's PDR book. I quit taking Actos in Feb. 2010 and have not had a problem since.

  • sharonOctober 25, 2010 at 4:37 am

    this is the first time I have heard of this...and i .at 52 yrs...have suffered so long with arm and leg weakness...i can't wear certain shoes anymore and I too don't like to walk anymore because of the aches and pains and weakness in my legs.....i can;t wait to talk to my doctor about getting tested

  • SusamOctober 24, 2010 at 5:05 pm

    It feels like my bones are getting eating at,pain everyday starting to walk less & less dayly it takes awhile but I get their, working out help lots if I dont work out can\'t walk my musles are stiff,and I get musle spanum. seen 4 different doctors done 9.000.00 w/med. bills know one can tell me whats wrong,I say its my age but I just turned 60yr I am in my prime its all about my legs.

Share Your Comments

I authorize the above comments be posted on this page*

Want your comments reviewed by a lawyer?

To have an attorney review your comments and contact you about a potential case, provide your contact information below. This will not be published.

NOTE: Providing information for review by an attorney does not form an attorney-client relationship.

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

More Top Stories