The FDA is warning parents about the dangers of benzocaine and lidocaine in products used for treating teething pain in children. These topical medications offer little to no benefit and are associated with serious risks. The products include creams, gels, and homeopathic teething tablets. Benzocaine is a local anesthetic that temporarily numbs. It is the active ingredient in several nonprescription oral health care products, including Anbesol, Cepacol, Chloraseptic, HurriCaine, Orabase, Orajel, and Topex. These products should not be used for teething pain in children because they can be dangerous. Using benzocaine products can lead to a serious, and sometimes fatal, condition called methemoglobinemia, in which the oxygen-carrying capacity of red blood cells is greatly … [Read more...]
FDA Takes Action Against OTC Teething Products That Contain Benzocaine
The FDA is warning consumers that over-the-counter (OTC) teething products that contain Benzocaine pose "a serious risk to infants and children." The agency announced that those products containing that pain reliever should no longer be marketed, and is asking companies to stop selling these products. If the companies do not comply, the FDA will initiate a regulatory action to remove those products from the market. The FDA is also asking that companies add warnings to all other benzocaine oral health products to describe some serious health risks. FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb said, "The FDA is committed to protecting the American public from products that pose serious safety risks, especially those with no demonstrated benefit. Because of the lack of efficacy for teething and the … [Read more...]
