The FDA has notified healthcare professionals and patients that they are receiving reports of methemoglobinemia, a serious and potentially fatal side effect, associated with benzocaine products.

The condition can occur when benzocaine is used either as a spray used during medical procedures to numb the mouth and throat, or as over-the-counter gels and liquids used to relieve pain from conditions such as teething and canker sores.

Methemoglobinemia is a condition in which the amount of oxygen carried through the blood stream is greatly reduced. In severe cases, methemoglobinemia can result in death.

According to Drugs.com: "Methemoglobinemia has been reported with all strengths of benzocaine gels and liquids, and cases occurred mainly in children aged two years or younger who were treated with benzocaine gel for teething."

Dr. Mercola’s Comments:

This will probably come as a surprise to most people, but it’s just another example of how all drugs have potentially serious side effects—even those sold without a prescription and/or used topically as opposed to being swallowed.

The Potentially Lethal Side-Effect of Benzocaine

Benzocaine is a local anesthetic commonly used as a topical pain reliever. You can also find it in cough drops, throat sprays, and gels or liquids used for teething and canker sores (cold sores).

However, you need to be careful when using these products, especially on children. The FDA is now sounding the alarm as they continue receiving reports of methemoglobinemia, which is a potentially life threatening side effect of the drug.

This side effect has been reported with all strengths of benzocaine gels and liquids, including a single dose of benzocaine throat spray. They’re now advising against the use of benzocaine products on children under the age of two, as most of the cases included infants given teething gel containing benzocaine.

Methemoglobinemia is a condition in which the amount of oxygen in your blood stream is greatly reduced. In severe cases, it can result in death.

Signs and symptoms of this severe adverse reaction include:

  • Pale, gray or blue colored skin, lips, and nail beds
  • Headache
  • Lightheadedness
  • Shortness of breath
  • Rapid heart rate
  • Fatigue

Symptoms can appear at any point, either after the initial or any subsequent application, but usually become apparent within minutes to hours of application.

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