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Products with lidocaine for teething to be sold only in pharmacies
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Products containing lidocaine in the treatment of teething in babies and children will only be sold in pharmacies from next year, the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has said.
A review by the MHRA found there was a lack of evidence that using lidocaine for teething before non-medicinal products was beneficial and stressed “these medicines should only be used when non-medicinal options do not provide necessary relief.”
The MHRA said: “Our evidence of any risk associated with these products is very small given the wide usage of these medicines. A pharmacist or healthcare professional can provide appropriate guidance.”
Dr Sarah Branch, deputy director of MHRA’s vigilance and risk management of medicines division, said: “Our review showed there is a lack of evidence of benefit to using teething gels. To help babies and children with teething, parents and caregivers should try non-medicine options such as rubbing or massaging the gums or a teething ring.
“We want to make sure you get the right information about teething. If your child continues to have problems with teething, talk to your pharmacist or healthcare professional about the best options.”
Royal Pharmaceutical Society president Ash Soni said: “It’s natural for parents to be concerned if their baby is experiencing discomfort with sore gums when teething. Your local pharmacist can provide parents and caregivers of teething babies with expert advice and recommend the best course of treatment.
“Your pharmacist is always a good first port of call for any common condition your child develops.
“It’s advised that you give a teething baby something to chew on like a teething ring that’s been in the fridge but, if that isn’t enough, then your pharmacist can give you expert advice about using a teething product containing lidocaine and how to use it safely.”
(Pictured: sdominick - iStock)