The US Food and Drug Administration is warning caregivers to stop using Hyland’s homeopathic teething tablets on children, as they continue their investigation of 10 seemingly related childhood deaths and over 400 adverse events associated with the tablets.
The warning came Wednesday, and CVS pharmacies have removed the products from their shelves in light of the statement. The FDA has stated, “the relationship of these deaths to the homeopathic teething products has not yet been determined and is currently under review.”
The FDA is now taking claims seriously after reports of death and illness have been piling in over the past 6 years. They are warning caregivers not to use these homeopathic teething products until they fully investigate the claims and figure out the link.
Symptoms related to the deaths and adverse reactions seem to include fever, lethargy, vomiting, sleepiness, tremors, shortness of breath, irritability and agitation.
The FDA is warning parents who use these products to take their child to the doctor immediately if they exhibit any of the above symptoms.
Hyland’s, the maker of the homeopathic teething tablets issued this statement to CNN: “Hyland’s has not been made aware of any data that supports the claims in the warning against our teething tablets and gels. Our understanding is that the Food and Drug Administration’s investigation of these products is still ongoing. The fact is that we have not been made aware of any medical or statistical evidence to support a causal link between homeopathic teething tablets and adverse outcomes at this point. We continue to request any available information and statistics from the FDA.”
Despite their confusion about the product having any adverse effects, they have stopped distributing the product in the United States until the product is fully investigated.
As an alternative to teething tablets or gels, the American Academy of Pediatrics suggests that parents “massage the child’s gums with a clean finger when a baby is in pain; use a solid teething ring or clean, wet washcloth that’s been chilled in the freezer; frozen bananas, berries or bagels.” Parents can also give their child a weight-appropriate dose of acetaminophen.
