Denture fixative cream and the potential for neuropathy.

UNLABELLED: The body requires zinc in small amounts to remain healthy. Because the body balances zinc and copper, people who ingest excessive zinc have resulting dangerously low levels of copper. An acute zinc overdose itself may be toxic and chronic zinc ingestion results in bone marrow suppression and degeneration of the spinal cord, usually resulting in crippling nerve damage. It's been called'human swayback disease' A case of a 54-year-old female whose nerve damage greatly reduced her mobility due to copper deficiency myelopathy as a result of the use of denture fixative cream, Fixodent, is discussed.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Many cases of mysterious nerve damage turn out to be caused by overuse of popular denture products, e.g., Fixodent. Thus we are encouraging patients to read the manufacturer's leaflet and follow the instructions carefully.