Table.
Adverse effects following over-the-counter benzocaine gel exposure in children.
| Outcome and clinical effects | Number of cases (n=99)† |
|---|---|
| No effect | 74 |
| Minor effect | 16 |
| Drowsiness | 6 |
| Vomiting | 3 |
| Reported wheezing/trouble breathing (normal upon MD exam) | 2 |
| Swollen cheek | 1 |
| Blisters/erythema on cheek | 1 |
| Cough | 1 |
| Cyanosis (normal upon MD exam) | 1 |
| Ocular pain/irritation | 1 |
| Tachycardia | 1 |
| Hypertension | 1 |
| Moderate effect | 3 |
| Corneal abrasion | 1 |
| Difficulty breathing | 1 |
| Cyanosis | 1 |
| Lethargic | 1 |
| Vomiting | 1 |
| Major effect | 5 |
| Elevated methemoglobin levels | 4 |
| O2 saturation < 90% | 3 |
| Cyanosis | 3 |
| Seizure | 1 |
| Metabolic acidosis | 1 |
†
The outcome of one case was lost to follow-up.