An email saying that the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) UK has issued a warning about the medicine Bonjela gel saying that the gel is not good for children because of salicylate salts has been authenticated by the local Medicines Authority.

The MHRA press release carrying the warning is factual but it should be noted that the dangers posed by Bonjela gel and Bonjela cool mint gel used in children is still theoretical, the two bodies said.

It could potentially, not certainly, lead a child developing Reye’s syndrome, a rare but serious condition. The potential threats of Reye’s syndrome depend on the different stages of the clinical manifestation of the syndrome and the speed with which it progresses into the different stages.

Salicylate containing compounds such as aspirin would have a similar adverse event profile but not identical. Documented Reye’s syndrome in adults was rarely reported and the recovery in adults is generally complete.

To date no serious event relating to Bonjela gel use has been reported to the Medicines Authority although in the MHRA press release the UK agency said it received three suspected serious adverse drug reaction reports associated with the use of similar gels in children.

Bonjela gel is used to treat pain associated with teething and mouth ulcers. The Medicines Authority recommends parents or carers to use gentle pressure with something cool such as a chilled teething ring to help treat teething pain and ulcers in infants. There are a number of alternative products on the market, which contain a local anaesthetic or mild antiseptic that can be used for the treatment of oral pain in children and young people and which do not contain salicylates. Carers and young people who are not unsure how to use Bonjela gel should seek the help of a doctor, dentist or a pharmacist.

Bonjela is a licensed treatment for mouth pain in adults and young people over 16 years of age available in pharmacies. Bonjela cool mint gel is not available in the Maltese islands. Both products have been repacked and are clearly labelled ‘adult’ to avoid confusion. This does not affect Bonjela teething gel which does not contain salicylates. To date, no recall of the product both in Malta and the UK has been warranted.