What Happened with Benzocaine?
When some babies are given products that contain benzocaine, a local anesthetic, they can develop a rare but serious condition called methemoglobinemia. The FDA even issued a warning about the risk for babies under 24 months. When in doubt, always talk to your doctor.
What Is Methemoglobinemia?
Methemoglobinemia is when the amount of oxygen carried in the blood is greatly reduced because the blood has too much of a substance called methemoglobin. Methemoglobin is a form of hemoglobin that carries much less oxygen than the body needs to function properly.
What Are the Signs?
The signs of methemoglobinemia can start as quickly as 1 minute or as late as 2 hours after taking a medication with benzocaine. If you notice the below symptoms in your baby, please seek medical care immediately.
- Shortness of breath
- Blue, grey, or pale skin color
- Dizziness
- Fatigue
- Rapid heart rate
Symptoms Include:
In the most severe cases, methemoglobinemia can be fatal. Treatment includes provision of supplemental oxygen and specific intravenous medications.
Why Are Orajel™ Baby Products Safe?
Due to the potential dangerous risk of benzocaine, we reformulated our teething products without benzocaine so that they are drug-free and ultra-safe for your baby.
In fact, they are also free of:
Artificial Colors, Menthol, Sugar, Parabens, Belladonna, Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, Gluten, Dairy, Eugenol
