Warnings on Orajel, Anbesol, etc.

[Susanne]

I've noticed lately that over-the-counter benzocaine numbing medications such as Anbesol and Orajel now contain a black box type of warning about a side effect involving the amount of oxygen in the blood and which potentially can be fatal. How likely is that to occur with occasional use of the product and should we be concerned about it? Is that side effect a possibility with the numbing "caine" anesthetic the dentist uses?

 

[Gordon]

Not in the slightest, unless you're in the habit of ingesting multiple tubes of the stuff for prolonged periods.

No it's not an issue with the locals dentists use.

 

[comfortdentist]

As Gordon said don’t worry about it. But like all drugs someone somewhere will abuse the drug so we get these warnings. The following is an example:

Her Blood Turned Blue, How It Happened

You can be a blue blood or have blue blood. A woman had the latter after using medication for a toothache.

www.google.com

Do NOT use these on young children!