FDA warns teething medicines unsafe, wants them off shelves

[Eugene]

Source: Associated Press

FDA warns teething medicines unsafe, wants them off shelves

By MATTHEW PERRONE
27 minutes ago

WASHINGTON (AP) — Federal health officials warned parents Wednesday about the dangers of teething remedies that contain a popular numbing ingredient and asked manufacturers to stop selling their products intended for babies and toddlers.

The Food and Drug Administration said that various gels and creams containing the drug benzocaine (BEN-zoh-keyn) can cause rare but deadly side effects in children, especially those 2 years and younger.

The agency has been warning about the products for a decade but said reports of illnesses and deaths have continued. Now, it wants teething products off the market, noting there is little evidence they actually work.

“We urge parents, caregivers and retailers who sell them to heed our warnings and not use over-the-counter products containing benzocaine for teething pain,” said FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb, in a statement.

The FDA said it will take legal action against companies that don’t voluntarily remove their products for young children.

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Read more: https://apnews.com/81189f1f418f43c490bb1f160db3fc34/FDA-warns-teething-medicines-unsafe,-wants-them-off-shelves

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Related: FDA takes action against the use of OTC benzocaine teething products due to serious safety risk, lack of benefit (U.S. Food & Drug Administration)

[OneBlueDotBama]

1. Takes me back to the 1980's

With my kids and teething, out of the blue my mother said she used rye whisky on her finger when I was experiencing similar problems in the early 1950's... I said what? That explains much mom, thanks... but yes, we have some good rye, but no, we'll stick with the frozen teething ring and I'll drink rye to sooth myself.

[SarasotaDem]

2. Mom used this ...

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paregoric

Opium and alcohol ... she said it worked well

[tazkcmo]

3. Schnapps n/t

[elleng]

4. 'The agency has been warning about the products for a decade

but said reports of illnesses and deaths have continued. Now, it wants teething products off the market, noting there is little evidence they actually work.'