The FDA has come out with a warning saying that numbing medication for teething infants and toddlers could be fatal.
According to Reuters, the warning came after the FDA had 22 reports come in regarding children in which injuries or death occurred after they received oral lidocaine 2 percent solution.
They are making it a requirement that the medication should not be given to children for teething and they will ask that a warning be put on the box.
A statement from the FDA said, “When too much viscous lidocaine is given to infants and young children or they accidentally swallow too much, it can result in seizures, severe brain injury, and problems with the heart.”
The advice given by the American Academy of Pediatricians is to use a teething ring that has been put in the refrigerator or to use your finger to gently massage the area along the child’s gums.
Forbes reported that the viscous lidocaine is not normally a recommended use for teething pain. The medication is used for adults for mouth pain and also in dental procedures.
The FDA also stated that the anesthetic benzocaine should not be used for teething.