Homeopathic Teething Tablets Pose Serious Danger to Babies

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration recently announced that an investigation revealed inconsistent amounts of belladonna, a toxic substance, in certain homeopathic teething remedies. In many instances, the level of belladonna greatly exceeded the amount claimed on the labeling. The FDA issued a warning to consumers stating that the teething tablets pose a major risk to infants and advised consumers not to use these homeopathic products.

Throughout the last decade, the FDA has collected and analyzed reports of over three hundred and seventy (370) children who had been harmed by homeopathic teething tablets and similar products. Hyland, a homeopathic medicine business, has been specifically targeted by the FDA for selling these dangerous products. The FDA’s records revealed eight cases in which babies died after using Hyland’s products, although whether those products caused the deaths is still being investigated. Other infants suffered from seizures and uncontrollable twitching after using Hyland’s homeopathic teething remedies.

Unlike pharmaceutical drugs, the FDA does not evaluate or approve a homeopathic product’s effectiveness before hitting the market. Homeopathy is a multi-billion dollar industry, and Hyland and its parent company are considered giants within it. Because of its extensive lobbying efforts, the industry has been able to exempt itself from various legislation and FDA regulation.

Despite the FDA’s investigation, Hyland continues to refuse to conduct a recall of its teething tablets and gels.

For decades, the attorneys at Swartz & Lynch have provided legal representation to victims of unsafe products. If you are concerned that you or a loved one has suffered because of an unsafe or defective product, an attorney at Swartz & Lynch LLP can evaluate your case for free.