Linked of Homeopathic Teething Tablets in Children Deaths. Homeopathic teething tablets may be linked to the deaths of 10 children, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) warned. The agency has received 400 adverse events involving the products, and is urging caregivers to stop using them. Homeopathic teething tablets are used to alleviate pain in teething babies.
The FDA is reviewing the adverse events and deaths to determine their cause. In a statement, the FDA said “the relationship of these deaths to the homeopathic teething products has not yet been determined and is currently under review,” Over the past six years, the FDA has received reports of fever, lethargy, vomiting, sleepiness, tremors, shortness of breath, irritability and agitation associated with homeopathic teething tablets.
Following the FDA announcement, a maker of homeopathic teething tablets and gels said it would no longer distribute products in the United States. “This decision was made in light of the recent warning issued by the Food & Drug Administration against the use of homeopathic teething tablets and gels.
This warning has created confusion among parents and limited access to the medicines,” Hyland said in a letter, according to CNN. “Putting you in a position of having to choose who to trust in the face of contradictory information is burdensome and undermines the FDA.”
Hyland’s homeopathic teething products include Hyland’s Baby Teething Tablets
Hyland’s homeopathic teething products include Hyland’s Baby Teething Tablets, Hyland’s Baby Teething Tablets Nighttime and Hyland’s Baby Teething Gel. CVS said it was taking the products off the shelves and Walgreens reported the same, according to CNN.
Hyland’s recalled its homeopathic teething products in 2010, after the FDA issued a safety alert. The agency conducted laboratory testing and found inconsistent amounts of belladonna in the teething tablets. Additionally, the adverse events involving the products were indicative of belladonna poisoning. The FDA also warned that the bottles were not child-resistant.
Belladonna, also known as “deadly nightshade” is a plant that is used for some medicinal purposes such as sedation. WebMD notes that belladonna is “widely regarded as unsafe”. Hyland says it reformulated its products since 2010 and reduced the amount of belladonna.
HealthyChildren.org, a website launched by the American Academy of Pediatrics, warns parents against using teething products with belladonna and benzocaine. The physician group says as an alternative, parents can massage the child’s gums with a clean finger, use a solid teething ring, wet chilled washcloth or frozen bananas.
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