Bonjela teething and mouth ulcer gels to be pulled from supermarket shelves under new Therapeutic Goods Administration rules

A popular baby teething gel will soon be removed from supermarket shelves due to concerns about abuse and toxicity levels.

Bonjela Teething Gel and Mouth Ulcer Gel will only be available in pharmacies from October 1 after the products are reclassified by the Therapeutic Goods Administration.

The gels have been reclassified from a Schedule 1 drug to a Schedule 2 drug due to concerns about toxicity levels.

Both products contain choline salicylate, a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory that can lead to toxicity if overdosed or if the products are not used as directed.

Toxicity can occur when too much of the product is used, used too often, or when used for an extended period of time.

“This decision has taken a long time,” pharmacist Alyssa Fusillo told Seven News.

“These things happen all the time with drugs. As soon as we get more information, the schedule may change.’

Supermarket giants Coles and Woolworths are phasing out existing stocks before the products are pulled from shelves by September 30.

The TGA has confirmed that all products containing choline salicylate for oromucosal use (delivered through the mucus systems in the mouth) will be pharmacy drugs from October 1.

Bonjela’s supplies have been hit by a rule change restricting sales of oral painkillers in New Xealand. Babies fear that they could get seriously ill if they get too much of it.