Widespread coverage has been given to new advice that Bonjela should not be given to children under 16. The Sun reported a “ban on Bonjela for kids” due to fears it could cause Reye’s syndrome, a ‘deadly brain and liver condition’. The Times said the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has issued the ‘precautionary alert’ as the gel contains salicylate salts. The newspaper said these have the same effect on the body as aspirin, which is not recommended for those under the age of 16.
These reports are based on new advice from the MHRA. The drug safety agency says that although there have been no reported cases of Reye’s syndrome caused by the gel, it has made the decision to bring it into line with “other aspirin containing products which are already ‘contraindicated’ [inadvisable] in children and young people under the age of 16”.
The gel remains a safe treatment for people over age 16. The company that makes the gel also has an alternative product called, ‘Bonjela Teething Gel’ that does not contain salicylate and is safe for use in children from two months of age.
Bonjela and Bonjela cool mint.
Pyralvex, an oral paint for denture pain and the relief of mouth ulcer pain, is another product containing salicylic acid. It is a “pharmacy only medicine”, meaning that it is restricted for sale by a pharmacist, in person. Pyralvex is currently available for children over 12 years of age, but is now recommended to not be used in people under the age of 16.
The MHRA is the government agency responsible for ensuring that medicines and medical devices work and are acceptably safe.
The agency says that the first publication of a suspected case of Reye’s syndrome associated with the use of oral gel with choline salicylate was published in June 2008. This case report described a 20-month-old child who had been given too much of a salicylate-containing oral gel and developed toxicity. The MRHA said that although the symptoms were subsequently found to not be consistent with Reye’s syndrome, the case showed that very high levels of the aspirin like substance could be found in the blood following use of the adult gel.
So far, the agency has received three suspected reports of serious adverse drug reactions in children using the gels. In all cases, Reye’s syndrome was suspected but not confirmed. It emphasises that this is a precautionary measure to remove what is a theoretical risk.
Reye’s syndrome is a very rare condition that causes serious liver and brain damage. Almost all recorded cases of Reye’s syndrome have occurred in children. The exact cause of Reye’s syndrome is unknown but previous viral infection, such as flu or chickenpox and exposure to aspirin may contribute towards children developing the condition. The reported incidence rate of Reye’s syndrome has decreased since 1986.
The MHRA already recommend that children who are under 16 years of age should not take aspirin, unless a doctor has advised it.
No. This is currently only a theoretical risk and the chances of developing Reyes syndrome falls as soon as the viral infection or the aspirin-containing product is stopped.
There are a number of options and alternative products that can be used for teething. Many parents use gentle pressure with something cool such as a chilled teething ring.
Alternatively, there are several dental gels available that contain a local anaesthetic/mild antiseptic only. For pain from braces and similar orthodontic devices, the MHRA recommends salt-water mouthwashes for sore areas, and for discomfort arising from loose teeth, a paracetamol-based painkiller is recommended.
If parents/carers/young people are in doubt over which treatment to use then they should consult their pharmacist, dentist, GP or health visitor.
Bonjela Teething Gel can still be used as it does not contain salicylates. The teething gel contains two active ingredients, lidocaine hydrochloride (lignocaine hydrochloride) a local anaesthetic and cetalkonium chloride. Cetalkonium chloride is a mild antiseptic that kills a variety of bacteria and fungi that might infect sore or broken skin in the mouth.
Gels, pastes and mouthwashes containing salicylate are regarded as safe for use in adults over 16 years old.