FDA Warns Parents, Lidocaine Can Be Dangerous for Teething Infants

Health officials are warning parents that a common oral anesthetic, lidocaine, used to help teething infants could be dangerous. According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in Science World Report, many caregivers who use benzocaine products for children under 2 should discontinue the medication’s use, an ingredient that’s commonly found in brand name products such as Anbesol, Baby Orajel, Hurricaine and Orabase. Parents should look at the ingredients list of any oral anesthetic to see if benzocaine is used.

Lidocaine is also sometimes prescribed by physicians in a more concentrated form. The prescription 2 percent lidocaine solution should not be used to treat infants or children teething. The FDA made the statement to physicians as well as parents in their release. The FDA notes that products can actually cause death in infants if not properly measured. The FDA notes that in rare cases, lidocaine products can lead to a fatal condition called methemoglobinemia, in which the amount of oxygen carried throughout the blood stream is compromised.

Forbes reports that in 2014, the FDA reviewed 22 case reports of serious adverse reactions, including deaths, in infants and young children 5 months to 3.5 years of age who were given oral viscous lidocaine 2 percent solution for the treatment of mouth pain, including teething and stomatitis, or who had accidental ingestion. Forbes notes that the product can be labeled in various forms such as “Lidocaine Viscous” or “Xylocaine Viscous.” If parents are unsure, they should discontinue use immediately.

The FDA has went so far as to say that parents should discontinue use of any “gum-numbing” agent including common Baby Orajel containing Benzocaine. However, the marketing of these products could confuse parents. Just look at the common packaging for this Baby Orajel product. The child in the photo looks well under the age of two.

So what should a parent do about teething pain? According to the FDA, absolutely nothing in regards to medication or homeopathic remedies. The tried and true massaging of the gums and cold teething rings or rags should be used. The FDA strongly urges parents to skip oral teething ointments or gels altogether.

Ethan Hausman, M.D., a pediatrician and pathologist at FDA, states:

Teething is a normal phenomenon; all babies teethe. The FDA does not recommend any sort of drug, herbal or homeopathic medication or therapy for teething children.

You can read the full FDA release on the dangers of teething medications both over-the-counter and prescription, specifically lidocaine and benzocaine here. The FDA also has recently pondered the safety of antibacterial soap.

What do you think about the latest release? Should teething pain medicine companies be able to market to babies if these types of dangers exist?

[Image Credit: Medscape]