FDA: Lidocaine should not be used to treat teething pain among infants

Parents should be warned not to use oral viscous lidocaine solution to treat teething pain in infants, according to a recent FDA update.

Viscous lidocaine (lidocaine hydrochloride, Roxane Laboratories, Inc.) is not approved by the FDA to treat teething pain, but the agency is requiring a boxed warning be added to the drug label to highlight the dangers of use among infants. Too much viscous lidocaine can cause seizures, severe brain injury, and heart problems among infants and young children.

The FDA recommends parents and physicians follow the AAP’s recommendations for treating teeth pain, which include:

Use a teething ring chilled in the refrigerator, not frozen;
Gently rub or massage the child’s gums with fingers to relieve pain.

Incorrect dosing and accidental ingestion have resulted in hospitalization or death in infants and children.