The US Food and Drug Administration has warned parents not to use Hyland's homeopathic teething products which contain belladonna (deadly nightshade) - a poisonous plant that has been used as medicine since ancient times. The FDA announced that they have found inconsistent amounts of belladonna in some teething tablets, with some far exceeding the amount claimed on the label.
Inconsistent Amounts Of Belladonna Have Been Found Since 2010
FDA News Release said that they have contacted Standard Homeopathic Company regarding a recall of its homeopathic teething tablet products. The company said they have discontinued its product October 7.
The FDA has originally issued a warning in 2010 about the use of Hyland's Teething Tablets, WNEM reported, when their laboratory test showed inconsistent amounts of belladonna, and since then, they have received at least 400 reports of adverse events linked to using the teething products.
Lyndsay Meyer, a spokeswoman for the FDA said that most of the reports describe serious effects like seizures. "We are also aware of reports of 10 deaths during that time period that references homeopathic teething products," Meyer said.
Parents Should Talk To Doctors Or Health Experts For Advice On Safer Alternatives
Janet Woodcock, M.D., director of the FDA's Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, said that children under two years of age who are given belladonna are put in unnecessary risk. Woodcock said that they are urging parents and caregivers to talk to doctors and health experts for alternatives and to stop giving these products to children.
Although they have been discontinued, Mary C. Borneman, a spokeswoman for Hyland's stands by the safety of their products. "They are a top-selling product and a consumer favorite, and sadly it resulted in the loss of 24 jobs." The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends, though, that instead of using Hyland's products, parents or caregivers can gently massage the child's gums and giving the child a cool (not cold) teething ring or a clean, wet, cool washcloth to chew on.
