HomeBlogTeething Gels and Tablets

Teething Gels and Tablets

Jamie King

Jamie King

Marketing Manager

April 22, 2017 Dental Billing 2 min read

Like many people, I have used homeopathic medications to try to alleviate certain symptoms thinking that perhaps they were safer than the over the counter drugs so readily available.

If you ever read the list of ingredients most you will not recognize but you can google to get the definition.   When shopping for baby shower gifts the thoughts of how my own babies suffered when teething came to mind. Spotting the homeopathic teething gels and tablets the thought of maybe this works better than numb it gel or teething rings.

If in doubt of a product, it is a good idea to check it against the warnings of the FDA.  This agency takes reports about the products effectiveness and possible dangers to consumers.  Here is an article of interest to many of us who have young babies and young grandchildren.

FDA warns against use of homeopathic teething gels and tablets

October 04, 2016 On September 30, 2016, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration warned consumers that homeopathic teething tablets and gels may pose a risk to infants and children.1 The FDA recommended that consumers stop using these products and dispose of any in their possession.  Although homeopathic treatments are regulated as drugs under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, the FDA does not evaluate the remedies for safety or effectiveness.2  Manufacturers of homeopathic teething gels and tablets list ingredients such as Calcarea Phosphorica, Chamomilla, Coffea Cruda, Belladonna, Calcarea Carbonica, Passiflora Incarnata, and Terebinhina.

According to the FDA, “Consumers should seek medical care immediately if their child experiences seizures, difficulty breathing, lethargy, excessive sleepiness, muscle weakness, skin flushing, constipation, difficulty urinating, or agitation after using homeopathic teething tablets or gels.”

The FDA is analyzing adverse events reported to the agency regarding homeopathic teething tablets and gels since a 2010 FDA consumer safety alert on teething tablets.3  The FDA urges both healthcare professionals and consumers to report adverse events to the FDA’s MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program.4

References

  1. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. FDA warns against the use of homeopathic teething tablets and gels; 2016.
  2. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health Homeopathy. 2015.
  3. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Hyland’s Teething Tablets may pose a risk to children; 2010.
  4. U.S. Food and Drug Administration MedWatch: The FDA Safety Information and Adverse Event Reporting Program. 2016.
Jamie King

By Jamie King

Marketing Manager

1 Comments

  • Wow!! I never would have thought of this! It is good information to have for all mothers who are just trying to bring some relief when their child is in pain. Thanks for posting this.

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