Anbesol ok to use?

sarahlisa00

I think I had a minor allergic reaction to a spice I ate and I now my tongue is slightly swollen. It's super uncomfortable, particularly in one spot. I feel like anbesol might help but wasn't sure if that was ok to take. Anyone received the ok already from their doc? Am I just being overly cautious?

peanutmuse

Anbesol has benzocaine, with is a category C drug. Cat C drugs are generally fine in moderation, in my personal opinion.

quidditchcapn1120

It's category C so I personally don't advocate my patients using it during pregnancy.  In addition, the baby formulation of orajel (same formulation as anbesol) was recalled due to some pretty severe adverse reactions.  

The other thing is that since it's pretty close to bedtime, you shouldn't use a numbing medication in your mouth.  It can cause you to not be as aware of tongue position and you can inadvertently close off your airway.

sarahlisa00

What about antihistameines? Looks like that may help? Is Benadryl a no no? @peanutmuse or @quidditchcapn1120

peanutmuse

quidditchcapn1120 said:

In addition, the baby formulation of orajel (same formulation as anbesol) was recalled due to some pretty severe adverse reactions.  

@quidditchcapn1120 -- what type of reactions?

(P.S. @sarahlisa00, listen to quidditch before you listen to me on this one. I was speaking in generalities about cat c drugs.)

quidditchcapn1120

peanutmuse said:

quidditchcapn1120 said:

In addition, the baby formulation of orajel (same formulation as anbesol) was recalled due to some pretty severe adverse reactions.  

@quidditchcapn1120 -- what type of reactions?

(P.S. @sarahlisa00, listen to quidditch before you listen to me on this one. I was speaking in generalities about cat c drugs.)

Specifically (and rarely but it still happens), methemoglobinemia.  Causes breathing issues, doesn't allow enough circulating oxygen to the tissues, which can obviously lead to some pretty serious consequences.

quidditchcapn1120

sarahlisa00 said:

What about antihistameines? Looks like that may help? Is Benadryl a no no? @peanutmuse or @quidditchcapn1120

Benadryl is a-ok in my book (and is also on my OB's list of approved meds).

AnnikaD20

Benadryl is on my OB's approved list. Would an antihistamine help?

sarahlisa00

Thanks guys! I so rarely take anything I always forget to look in that little booklet my doc gave me. It's listed there as well. Have a great night! Hopefully I'll sleep a little better now.

peanutmuse

quidditchcapn1120 said:

Specifically (and rarely but it still happens), methemoglobinemia.  Causes breathing issues, doesn't allow enough circulating oxygen to the tissues, which can obviously lead to some pretty serious consequences.

@quidditchcapn1120 -- were the reactions just in babies, or in older children and/or adults too?

quidditchcapn1120

peanutmuse said:

quidditchcapn1120 said:

Specifically (and rarely but it still happens), methemoglobinemia.  Causes breathing issues, doesn't allow enough circulating oxygen to the tissues, which can obviously lead to some pretty serious consequences.

@quidditchcapn1120 -- were the reactions just in babies, or in older children and/or adults too?

It's a known adverse effect of benzocaine topicals in all age groups.  However, the FDA recall of Orajel (with the active ingredient benzocaine) was mostly made in response to several cases of kids under age 2 being treated for teething pain.  Only the infant formulation was recalled.

ETA:  Do you know someone who had a reaction?

peanutmuse

quidditchcapn1120 said:

It's a known adverse effect of benzocaine topicals in all age groups.  However, the FDA recall of Orajel (with the active ingredient benzocaine) was mostly made in response to several cases of kids under age 2 being treated for teething pain.  Only the infant formulation was recalled.

ETA:  Do you know someone who had a reaction?

@quidditchcapn1120 -- No, I was just curious. When I am sick or under a lot of stress, I am a chronic canker sore sufferer. Not the little annoying ones -- the 1/2 long, 1/4 inch wide gaping, oozing ones. My mother also gets them frequently and with a similar intensity, so I was thinking about the future for this little guy, if he gets them too. I actually use Kanka, because I like the protective film that it creates. The pastes feel icky to me.

I actually had a small version of one (only about 1/4 inch long) when I was first diagnosed with the kidney stones and hydronephrosis. I didn't take anything for it though, just kind of rode it out, because I was already putting more drugs into my system than I was really comfortable with.