Vast Majority of Poligrip Zinc Poisoning Lawsuits Settled by Glaxo
GlaxoSmithKline has indicated that most of the zinc poisoning lawsuits over their Super Poligrip denture cream are being settled with consumers.
The company announced the Super Poligrip settlements in its second-quarter earnings report (pdf), indicating that they have “reached an agreement in principal to settle the vast majority of cases.”
Super Poligrip lawsuits have been filed against GlaxoSmithKline by a number of individuals throughout the United States who allege that they developed severe neurological injuries as a result of the manufacturer’s failure to disclose that the denture cream contains zinc. According to the complaints, high amounts of zinc can enter the body through use of the denture adhesive, leading to permanent and debilitating neurological problems like neuropathy, numbness, tingling, pain, weakness, loss of sensation, loss of balance, paralysis and difficulty breathing.
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 MoreLast month we reported that at least some Super Poligrip settlements had been reached, as one law firm filed a motion in federal court to establish a fund to satisfy claims involving their clients while the allocation and final disbursement of monies was being finalized. The statement in the second quarter earnings reports confirms that Glaxo is making an effort to settle Super Poligrip lawsuits, and resolve the litigation.
A number of Fixodent lawsuits have also been filed against Procter and Gamble, raising similar allegations that zinc contained in that denture cream caused users to suffer permanent neurological injuries. There have been no reported Fixodent settlements to date.
All federal lawsuits over Super Poligrip and Fixodent have been consolidated as part of an MDL, or multidistrict litigation, in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida. A number of state court lawsuits filed in Pennsylvania have also been consolidated into a Mass Tort Program (MTP) in the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas.
Since litigation started, both GlaxoSmithKline and Proctor & Gamble have added zinc warnings to labels and websites for Super Poligrip and Fixodent. Earlier this year, Glaxo announced it was recalling all Super Poligrip products that contained zinc and was replacing them with non-zinc products.
7 Comments
EdJanuary 21, 2012 at 1:30 am
My wife has had severe neurapathy and pain in legs, feet, and hands since Oct. 2010. Cannot do hardly anything any more. Her life has completely been changed for the worse. It appears that it was caused from zinc poisoning . Could be caused from years of using denture cream with zinc.
SteveNovember 30, 2010 at 2:45 pm
Is there a product out there that wont kill me. I have recently started having headaches that last for days. No amount of asprin or migraine formula seems to help (up to 16 to 20 a day). I never thought it could be from the pollygrip I've been using for years. Why couldn't they post a warning like they do on cig's.
DawnOctober 29, 2010 at 4:12 am
I'm 31 and have been using Super Poligrip for 9 years and for the last 7 have experienced a downward spiral in my health. At age 25 I was diagnosed with high blood pressure. For the last 4 years I have been seeking treatment for my back and neck because of the sharp pains and burning sensations. I also have had serious tingling in my hands feet and legs and numbness. I occasionally have tremors in[Show More]I'm 31 and have been using Super Poligrip for 9 years and for the last 7 have experienced a downward spiral in my health. At age 25 I was diagnosed with high blood pressure. For the last 4 years I have been seeking treatment for my back and neck because of the sharp pains and burning sensations. I also have had serious tingling in my hands feet and legs and numbness. I occasionally have tremors in my hands, very noticeable when I play piano. I also have frequent headaches and chest pains; sometimes it shoots down my left arm. I don't remember the last time I had a BM, I think 2 weeks, and the night before I do have a BM I'm doubled over in cramps and sharp pains. I also lose control of my bladder. I don't feel hot or cold at times, this is becoming more and more frequent. I also think I'm anemic now; I shake uncontrollably when I am cold and can't move at all. I have loss of appetite and major weight loss. I also loose feeling in my face and jaw and drool uncontrollably, which is noticeable when I sing. My tongue is numb at times. I have lost strength, I can barely lift 50 pounds, and I use to be pretty strong. I have been ignored because according to all the doctors I’ve brought my concerns to say I’m too young to going through this stuff. Can zinc poisoning be transferred to fetuses and stay in the blood without treatment? And since the weather turned cold my pain has increased terribly.
MYRASeptember 14, 2010 at 9:54 pm
YES I HAVE BEEN USING SUPER POLIGRIP SINCE THE 90'S AND YES I HAVE EXPERIENCED FINGER AND LEG NUMBNESS, UNUSUAL RISE OF MY BLOOD PRESSURE, AND NEUROLOGICAL PAINS
JimSeptember 7, 2010 at 1:48 am
Does one need an attorney to be part of this lawsuit? My father in law has been using poligrip for many years and suffers from neuropathy of the lower legs.
christineAugust 12, 2010 at 3:26 pm
My mother has went through so much pain and suffereing from the poligrip she used for atleast 15 years. She is just now able to sit up on her own again, shes been in a wheelchair now for almost 9 years! At first the doctors didnt know what could be causing this zinc issue, shes takes copper vitamins daily, she has severe neuroapathy, and its all because one company couldnt simply advertise the war[Show More]My mother has went through so much pain and suffereing from the poligrip she used for atleast 15 years. She is just now able to sit up on her own again, shes been in a wheelchair now for almost 9 years! At first the doctors didnt know what could be causing this zinc issue, shes takes copper vitamins daily, she has severe neuroapathy, and its all because one company couldnt simply advertise the warnings, or atleast the ingreidents. I am glad that this company will have to pay for their actions, but it still doesnt bring back all those years of her life, or the lives of others thats used this product or their family members who if were like me, were told by the doctors to plan my mothers funeral because she was in her last stages!
MaryAugust 6, 2010 at 7:40 pm
I have been useing super polygrip for 10 years and I have a weaking in my legs and an unbalance that my Dr. said. how do I know if I have zink in my system.?