FDA Issues Warning About Baby Teething Medication

Today the Federal Drug Administration issued a warning to consumers about the potentially deadly risks of over-the-counter teething medications for infants and toddlers under 2 years old.

Medications such as Orajel contain the drug benzocaine, which the FDA warns "pose[s] a serious risk to infants and children." The FDA's warnings also stated, "Benzocaine, a local anesthetic, can cause a condition in which the amount of oxygen carried through the blood is greatly reduced. This condition, called methemoglobinemia, can be life-threatening and result in death."

According to CBS6Albany, "Benzocaine is used to treat sore gums, sore throats, and irritation in infants and children. The anesthetic can be found in such brands as Orajel, Baby Orajel, Cepacol, Chloraseptic, Anbesol, Hurricaine, Orabase, and Topex."