Teething Tablet Dangers

When a baby cries out in pain from teething, it is only natural to want to soothe your baby and ease this painful process. While it is normal to want to soothe your baby’s pain, it is important to use safe products to do so. It has recently come to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) attention that homeopathic teething tablets and gels are not the choice to make when looking to soothe your little one. If you have them in your home, the FDA is asking that you stop using them immediately and dispose of them properly.

Homeopathy is a natural form of medicine used by over 200 million people worldwide to treat both acute and chronic conditions. It is based on the principle of 'like cures like'. In other words, a substance taken in small amounts will cure the same symptoms it causes if it were taken in large amounts.

The teething tablets and gels are used on infants and toddlers and are said to help kids deal with the often painful process of teething. You can easily find them at any CVS, Hyland’s or Walgreen’s. But what makes these teething tablets so dangerous? Despite being able to find them almost anywhere, like many homeopathic items, the products haven’t been assessed or approved by the FDA. Health officials cannot confirm that they are safe or effective.

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.

In 2010, the FDA warned parents not to use homeopathic teething tablets and gels after receiving reports of babies having experienced negative side effects – such as seizures – from these products. The FDA is currently testing product samples and did release a safety alert that said “Hyland’s Teething Tablets contained inconsistent amounts of belladonna, a substance that can cause serious harm at larger doses.”

Teething problems can be managed in other ways including small doses of Tylenol or Advil. To find out what is best for your baby, it is important to talk with your doctor or pharmacist before purchasing and giving your baby any medications, homeopathic or not. It is also extremely important to always verify the correct dosage of medication to give your baby. Medication overuse in babies can lead to dangerous consequences. If you have any questions concerning teething tablets or dosage amounts, please do not hesitate to contact the Texas Poison Center Network for more information 24/7 at 1-800-222-1222.