Parents of infants and young children should not use unlicensed homeopathic teething tablets or gels which are available to buy online due to the risk of side effects, the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency said today. All six teething gels licenced in the UK contained lidocaine, which also poses a risk of overdose at higher concentrations. In the United States 22 serious adverse reactions, including deaths, have been associated with lidocaine 2% solution. Although none of the UK products contain more than 1% lidocaine, there could potentially be a risk of overdose from incorrect use. The paper published in the British Dental Journal, examined all products currently licensed by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA). The MHRA categorises teething powders as homeopathic or herbal products, whereas most teething gels, with the sole exception of Nelson’s Teetha Teething Gel, hold full product licences. If your child has experienced a side effect to any medicine you should report these to us through our Yellow Card Scheme Ends Notes to Editor

Nelsons Teetha Teething Gel 15g | Baby Teething | Superdrug

To help you decipher what’s safe and what’s not, this list of homeopathic products licensed by the MHRA(Medicines & Healthcare products Regulatory Agency)is a good starting point. 3 Do not give this medicine to the baby if he/she is allergic to any of the ingredients (see patient information leaflet) If you’re caring for a teething baby, you’ll be all too familiar with the tell-tale signs of teething pain. Red cheeks, drooling, irritability, fussiness, sleeplessness and discomfort that no amounts of cuddles can cure. You’ve probably heard fellow parents recommend teething powders as a miracle cure. But what are teething powders and are they safe for babies? What are the signs of teething? The British Dental Association (BDA) has urged parents to be on alert, as new research reveals that 9 of the 14 teething products licensed for use in the UK contain sucrose, alcohol and/or lidocaine, all of which have potential harmful side effects. First things first, how do you know if your baby’s teething? The onset of teething varies from baby to baby, but according to the NHS, most babies start teething around six months old. 1 Common baby teething symptoms

Conclusion: do teething products work?

This teetha powder is produced in a single-dose sachet product and is consistently rated 5* by our customers. A big plus of these teetha granules is convenience – simply empty contents direct into baby’s mouth. This medicine may not be suitable for some babies. Ask your doctor or pharmacist before giving it to the baby if you are not sure. CALPOL ® Infant Original Suspension, CALPOL ® Infant Suspension Sachets, CALPOL ® Sugar Free Infant Suspension, CALPOL ® Sugar Free Infant Suspension Sachets and CALPOL ® Infant Sugar Free Colour Free 120mg/5ml Oral Suspension contain paracetamol, can be used in infants from 2 months old (weighing over 4kg and not premature). For pain and fever. CALPOL ® SIXPLUS™ Suspension, CALPOL ® SIXPLUS™ Sugar Free Suspension and CALPOL ® SIXPLUS™ Fastmelts contain paracetamol,can be used in children from 6 years old. For pain and fever. CALPROFEN ® Ibuprofen Suspension contains ibuprofen, can be used in infants from 3 months old (weighing over 5Kg). For pain and fever. CALCOUGH ® Infant Syrup contains glycerol, can be used in infants from 3 months old. For dry cough. CALCOUGH ® Children's Syrup, can be used in children over one year old. For cough.CALGEL ® Teething Gel contains an anaesthetic and antiseptic, can be used in infants from 5 months. For short- term use of no more than 7 days, where non-medicinal methods have not provided relief. Always read the label. But if these methods don’t work, homeopathic teething powders or other products including teething gels may help soothe the discomfort. With a clean finger apply a pea sized amount of the gel to the sore area on the baby's gums and teeth.

TEETHING GEL PATIENT INFORMATION LEAFLET - medicines ANBESOL TEETHING GEL PATIENT INFORMATION LEAFLET - medicines

A new study reveals many teething products are not only a risk to babies' health, but are also ineffective in reducing pain. We need to see real change in the way these products are licensed and marketed, and clear guidance so parents understand the risks. If your little one is suffering then a teething ring kept cool in the fridge is all you need.' This advice follows a US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) investigation into homeopathic teething tablets and gels which could cause serious side effects such as seizures, difficulty breathing, lethargy, excessive sleepiness, muscle weakness, skin flushing, constipation, difficulty urinating, or agitation. If the baby is being given any other medicines, including medicines prescribed by your doctor, or any bought without a prescription, talk to your doctor or pharmacist before giving the baby the medicine. The medicine contains 21mg of alcohol (ethanol) in each dose which is equivalent to 3.8mg ethanol/kg body weight. The amount in one dose of this medicine is equivalent to less than 0.5ml beer or 0.2ml wine. The small amount of alcohol in this medicine will not have any noticeable effects. Box ContentsTwo products containing sucrose (table sugar) leave newly erupted baby teeth susceptible to decay, particularly as they are applied directly and repeatedly to the teeth. Six contain alcohol. Consumption of relatively low levels through breast milk can be counterproductive, arousing rather than sedating infants, meaning an increased propensity for crying and poor sleeping. Moderate exposure has been related to impaired motor development. Anyone who has bought unlicensed homeopathic products online should not use them and return them to your pharmacy for disposal. Alarmingly, not all baby teething products are considered suitable for babies. Some unlicensed products have been linked to serious side effects including seizures, difficulty breathing, skin flushing, constipation, difficulty urinating, and agitation. Whilst these unlicensed products are not readily available in the UK, they could be available through online pharmacies, so it’s important to ensure you only ever give your baby appropriately approved options. 2