Zinc poisoning and neuropathy are two risks associated with zinc-containing denture creams. Zinc poisoning’s symptoms can include numbness, tingling (pins-and-needles sensation), loss of balance, unexplained pain, and paralysis. And neuropathy, which is permanent nerve damage, can arise because excess zinc in the body can cause copper depletion, or hypocupremia, which can lead to irreversible neurological damage.
After people stop using Poligrip their zinc levels go down, but the pain and neurological damage that they sustained can be permanent.
Some Poligrip users who have suffered neuropathy or other serious health problems because of high zinc levels in their bodies, have sued GlaxoSmithKline.