May 24, 2018 — The FDA is warning parents not to use over-the-counter teething gels containing benzocaine due to the risk of a rare but potentially deadly blood disease known as methemoglobinemia.
After hundreds of children were injured, the FDA is asking manufacturers to stop selling benzocaine teething products.
Parents might be tempted to buy benzocaine teething gels, but the FDA believes the gels are not very effective because they wash out of the child’s mouth so quickly.
Methemoglobinemia causes oxygen levels in the blood to drop dangerously low, and it can be deadly. The symptoms include fast heartbeat, lightheadedness, trouble breathing, unusual sleepiness, headache, pale ski, and nails that are blue or gray.
The symptoms of methemoglobinemia can start within a few minutes, or up to 2 hours, after using a benzocaine teething gel product. Babies who develop symptoms require emergency medical treatment.
Benzocaine teething products are sold as gels, sprays, ointments, solutions and lozenges under brand names, such as:
- Anbesol
- Baby Orajel
- Cepacol
- Chloraseptic
- Hurricaine
- Orabase
- Orajel
- Topex
- Generics and store-brands
Church & Dwight Co. is immediately discontinuing the distribution and sale of Orajel teething products containing benzocaine, including the following products:
- Orajel Medicated Teething Gel
- Orajel Medicated Nighttime Teething Gel
- Orajel Medicated Daytime & Nighttime Teething Twin Pack
- Orajel Medicated Teething Swabs
The FDA previously warned about the risk of methemoglobinemia from benzocaine teething products in 2011. At the time, over 400 cases of benzocaine-associated methemoglobinemia were reported.
Do I have a Baby Orajel Lawsuit?
The Schmidt Firm, PLLC is currently accepting Baby Orajel induced injury cases in all 50 states. If your child or somebody you know was diagnosed with methemoglobinemia, you should contact our lawyers immediately for a free case consultation. Please use the form below to contact our Defective Drug Litigation Group or call toll free 24 hours a day at (866) 920-0753.
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