Are Hyland's Teething Tablets Dangerous?

Ingredients List

• Hyland's Teething Tablets contain four primary ingredients: Calcarea phosphorica, Chamomilla, coffea cruda and belladonna. The Calcarea phosphorica helps promote healthy tooth growth, the Chamomilla soothes irritability in inflamed gums and coffea cruda addresses wakefulness and water retention. Belladonna, which is derived from a dangerous plant, helps to ease discomfort and fight inflammation in the gums. It is the belladonna that has been linked to problems in the tablets, but the company says that all the ingredients are diluted to very low levels and are safe.

Earlier Recall

• Hyland's is a division of the Standard Homeopathic Company, and the latter issued a recall of Hyland's Teething Tablets in 2010 after concerns were raised by the Food and Drug Administration. The FDA said that the tablets contained inconsistent amounts of belladonna, which meant that some batches may have contained more of the potentially toxic ingredient than was considered safe. The company overhauled its manufacturing process, and reintroduced the tablets in the summer of 2001. It now says that the tablets contain consistent amounts of belladonna, which is 0.0000000000002 mg. The company notes that some anti-spasmodic medications use 0.2 mg to 5 mg of belladonna. The bottles also feature child-resistant caps to reduce the likelihood that children would take more than is recommended.

Proper Dosage

• Though the company has refined its recipe so that Hyland's Teething Tablets contain very trace amounts of belladonna, it is still important to adhere to the proper dosage, which is two to three tablets up to four times a day. Exceeding this dosage can increase the risk of side effects. However, the company says that most children could accidentally eat an entire bottle of the tablets and still have a very low risk of experiencing adverse side effects, because the amount of belladonna in each tablet is so low.

Risk Symptoms

• Understanding the symptoms of belladonna poisoning can help you identify any adverse reactions from Hyland's Teething Tablets. The FDA says that these symptoms can include lethargy, fatigue, difficulty breathing, weakness, difficulty urinating or passing bowel movements, agitation and seizures. As with any item that is ingested, an allergic reaction is also a concern. Symptoms of allergic reaction can include difficulty breathing, coughing, sneezing, swelling and itching. Parents who notice any of these, or other adverse symptoms, should stop using the product right away and consult with a doctor.