Product Safety Alert

Warning: Teething Gel Linked to Infant Deaths

The American Food & Drug Administration (FDA) has today warned of teething products linked to infant deaths in the USA. The very same Hyland’s products are still on the shelves in chemists around Australia.

10 deaths of children who had used the Hyland’s homeopathic teething products have been reported to the FDA resulting in a warning released on Wednesday urging parents to stop using them immediately. Another 400 cases recorded as ‘adverse events’ are linked to Hyland’s including seizures, vomiting and tremors.

The FDA called for parents to stop using the popular product, which is commonly used to soothe teething babies. Further recommendations included to take an infant or child to a doctor immediately if they display any side effects or problems and have ingested the product.

The agency is specifically investigating “the relationship of these deaths to the homeopathic teething products” according to their website.

Hyland’s this week released an emailed statement saying, “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.”

Currently in both Australia and American there is no formal recall on the product range, which includes Hyland’s Baby Teething Tablets, Hyland’s Baby Teething Tablets Nighttime and Hyland’s Baby Teething Gel. This means that use of Hyland’s products is at the discretion of parents.

If you have questions about the use of this product please speak to your pharmacist or doctor.

If you’re looking for other ways to relief the pain of teething: 10 Natural Remedies for Teething has some handy tips!

Do you use Hyland’s products? Do they work for you? Will you continue to use them based on the US warnings? Share your thoughts below!

Avatar of Belinda Jennings

Belinda's a passionate advocate for community and connection. As the founder of the Mum Central Network she’s committed to celebrating the journey that is Australian parenthood. Mum to two cheeky boys, and wife to her superstar husband, they live a busy but crazy lifestyle in Adelaide. Great conversation, close friends and good chocolate are her chosen weapons for daily survival. Oh, and bubbles. Champagne is key.

1 Comment

  1. Avatar of DISQUS1987
    DISQUS1987 Reply

    My baby loves the teething tablets, I give her 1-2 within recommended time frames. I was aware of the claims before I purchased, however the pharmacist recommended them, and all comments in support of Hylands were by customers, whereas the negative comments were only opinions. I am of the understanding that they have a new formula. I’d also like to point out that commercial products have severe reactions also, but we rarely hear about those.

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