Are Benzocaine Products Safe?

Following reports about the adverse reactions to pain relievers, Health Canada is now evaluating the safety of benzocaine products.

Benzocaine is found in some of the commonly used over-the-counter creams such as anti-itch creams, sprays to alleviate pain from sore throats and creams to reduce pain of burns, and hemorrhoids.

Now US FDA Proposes Behind-the-counter (BTC) Drugs
Prescription, over-the-counter and now behind-the-counter. US Food and Drug Administration is seeking public opinion on such a new category.

Benzocaine is also found in mouth gels which can relieve toothache. They are also employed during dental procedures to make the mouth and throat numb.

There are some risks with the use of topical benzocaine products, and one of them which is rare yet serious is a blood condition known as methomoglobinemia. Methemoglobinemia is a serious condition, when red blood cells are unable to deliver oxygen throughout the body.

Those sensitive to benzocaine products must watch for symptoms of breathlessness, headache, confusion, and nausea.

Pharmacogenetics Testing Reduces Adverse Drug Reactions
Pharmacogenetics testing offers way to prevent adverse drug reactions or even toxicity.

Source-Medindia

Elders Suffer Adverse Drug Reactions More
As one ages, one tends to take more and more drugs. In the process one also becomes liable to adverse reactions, leading to hospitalization. And that in turn weighs down the public health system.

Psychotropic Drugs Blamed for Adverse Drug Reactions in Danish Kids
Between 1998 and 2007, psychotropic medications were associated with 429 adverse drug reactions (ADRs) in children under 17 in Denmark.