Supermarkets will cease promoting Bonjela Teething Gel and Bonjela Mouth Ulcer Gel from subsequent month.
The TGA has reclassified the merchandise from a Schedule 1 medication to a Schedule 2 medication over considerations about toxicity ranges following misuse.
It signifies that supermarkets will cease promoting the merchandise from October 1. They will, nevertheless, nonetheless be obtainable in pharmacies.
The reclassification comes amid considerations that Bonjela’s energetic ingredient – choline salicylate, a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAID) – can result in toxicity when the product is used too usually.
The rise of toxicity is best in kids.
Signs of choline salicylate overdose embody uncommon sleepiness, fever and speedy respiration.
A TGA spokesperson informed 7NEWS.com.au: “Choline salicylate is an ingredient in a number of teething products such as Bonjela Teething Gel.
“Other products for the relief of pain, inflammation and discomfort associated with mouth ulcers/sores and new dentures or braces also contain choline salicylate.
“Substances in Schedule 2 may require advice from a pharmacist for safe use, which should be available from a pharmacy or, where a pharmacy service is not available, from a licensed person.
“From October 1, 2023, products containing choline salicylate for oromucosal use (administered via the mucus systems in the mouth) will be pharmacy medicines (Schedule 2).”
Pharmacist Alyssa Fusillo mentioned it was vital to make use of Bonjela not more than six occasions each three hours and it shouldn’t be used for longer than three days.
Parents ought to converse to their pharmacist if they’re discovering they should use Bonjela for longer than three days.
“If parents are finding that they are needing to rely on this product for longer than that timeframe, they should be speaking to their pharmacist for further advice,” she mentioned.
“We know that things like chilled teething rusks, and oral analgesics like paracetamol and ibuprofen can be beneficial, as well as distracting your little one and offering them other cool things like yoghurt.”
The change within the classification of Bonjela is available in response to an software to amend the Poisons Standard, which was acquired in July 2021, and based mostly on considerations concerning the dangers related to misuse and overuse.
The TGA mentioned it didn’t advocate mother and father use teething gels as there may be little proof they work and the “potential for harm”.
Source: www.news.com.au
