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Ulcer treatment bonjela - Source: ONE News -
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A mouth gel often used for soothing teething infants has been declared safe.
The safety of Bonjela was called into question last month when British health authorities issued a warning about an ingredient in it.
Bonjela manufacturer Reckitt Benckiser said the products it sold in New Zealand, including Bonjela Teething Gel, all contained salicylate salts, which had the same effect on the body as aspirin.
Britain's Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) issued a warning over treatments containing salicylate salts, saying three children had been hospitalised with suspected Reye's syndrome, a rare but serious condition, after using oral gels such as Bonjela.
However, Medsafe group manager Dr Stewart Jessamine said on Thursday after reviewing the available data, it was satisfied with the safety of the oral gels.
The products had been used in New Zealand for more than 30 years, Jessamine said.
There had been no reports of adverse reactions received by the Centre for Adverse Reactions Monitoring (Carm).
New Zealand Poisons Centre data showed the products were sometimes used too much, and had been involved in a number of unintentional overdoses.
He reminded people to stick to the recommended dose.
