The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) in the UK is advising parents not to use mouth ulcer and teething treatments containing salicylate salts for children under the age of 16. This is because there is a theoretical risk that these products can cause a serious illness called Reye’s syndrome.
The best known products affected by this advice are Bonjela and Bonjela Cool Mint Gel – but Bonjela Teething Gel, which is prepared specifically for infants with different ingredients, is NOT affected. Other teething products NOT affected by this warning include Anbesol Teething Gel, Anbesol Liquid, Calgel and Dentinox.
This advice comes after three children were admitted to hospital after being given oral gels containing a chemical called choline salicylate, although none of these children actually developed Reye’s Syndrome. In another four cases, children were given Bonjela for teething pain and then experienced diarrhea and vomiting.
According to experts, salicylate salts are similar to aspirin in terms of the effects they have on the body – and parents have already been warned NOT to give aspirin to children.
Dr June Raine from the MHRA says there are lots of products for parents to choose from for the treatment of teething pain and ulcers – and that, although the risk from Bonjela and other products containing salicylate salts is only theoretical, it still makes sense to avoid them –
…We are not aware of any confirmed cases (of Reye’s syndrome), but when there are alternatives available, any risk is not worth taking.