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Ulcer gels warning for children

Mouth ulcer and teething treatments containing salicylate salts should not be used by children under the age of 16, UK experts have said.

There is a theoretical risk that these products could cause a serious condition called Reye's syndrome.

But the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) said the advice was only precautionary.

The main products affected are Bonjela and Bonjela Cool Mint Gel, but Bonjela Teething Gel is not affected.

Salicylate salts have the same effect on the body as aspirin, which experts have already warned should not be used by children.

David Pruce, of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain (RPSGB) stressed the risk was purely theoretical.

"There is a very remote risk for young children using this product and it is always best to err on the side of caution.

"There are other products on the market which have the same soothing effect, but which do not contain salicylate salts and are therefore safe to use on children younger than 16."

Reye's syndrome is a rare but potentially fatal disease that causes damage to many of the body's organs.

In particular it causes swelling of the brain, and problems with fat in the liver.

The initial symptoms include persistent vomiting, listlessness, loss of energy, and drowsiness.

Without treatment this can progress to extreme irritability, agitation, delirium, and coma.

Most children who have developed Reye's syndrome were recovering from a viral infection, usually either flu or chickenpox, and had taken aspirin to treat their symptoms.

A statement from Reckitt Benckiser, which makes Bonjela, said it had redesigned packaging to make it easier for consumers to choose the right gel.

Bonjela Teething Gel for young children contains a different formula and is unaffected.

Source of article: BBC News
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