Anbesol Liquid for Mouth Ulcers - 10ml

Product Summary

Anbesol Liquid helps relieve pain and discomfort associated with teething in children from 5 months of age, when other non-medicinal methods, such as massaging of the gums or the use of teething rings, do not provide the necessary relief.

The product may also be used by adults, children, and the elderly for the temporary relief of pain caused by recurrent mouth ulcers and denture irritation.

Directions

• Adults and the elderly: Apply undiluted Anbesol Liquid to the affected area using the fingertip.
• Two applications of Anbesol Liquid will normally be enough for temporary pain relief. If necessary, apply again after 3 hours.
• Babies' teething and children: Apply undiluted Anbesol Liquid to the affected area using the fingertip. If necessary, apply again after 3 hours.
• Do not apply more than 6 times in one day (24-hour period).
• If the child vomits, spits out or swallows the medicine, do not use any more product immediately. Instead, wait 3 hours before using the medicine again.
• If the child’s symptoms get worse, do not improve after 7 days of treatment, or you are concerned that the child is unwell, talk to a healthcare professional.
• Do not use for more than 7 days for each teething episode.

Ingredients

• Active ingredients: Lidocaine Hydrochloride 0.9% w/w, Chlorocresol 0.1% w/w, Cetylpyridinium Chloride 0.02% w/w.
• Also contains: Alcohol 96%, Menthol, Glycerol, Purified Water, E104, E110, E123, E142

Warnings and Restrictions

Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before using Anbesol Liquid:

• if you have open wounds or damaged areas in the lining of your mouth, as this may result in too much of the active ingredients being absorbed
• if symptoms continue for more than 7 days or recur frequently. In these cases, speak to your pharmacist, doctor, or dentist.

Pregnancy, fertility, and breastfeeding

• If you are pregnant, breastfeeding, think you may be pregnant or are planning to have a baby, ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice before using this medicine
• If you are breastfeeding, small amounts of the active ingredient lidocaine will pass into your breast milk. However, the quantities will be so small as to not harm your baby if this medicine is used as directed.

Driving and using machines

• Anbesol Liquid is unlikely to affect your ability to drive or use machines.

Do NOT use Anbesol Liquid:

• if you are allergic to lidocaine hydrochloride, chlorocresol, cetylpyridinium chloride, other anaesthetics similar to lidocaine, or any of the other ingredients in this medicine (listed in Section 6 of the information leaflet)
• if you have porphyria (a disease-causing stomach pain, constipation, changes in urine colour, skin rashes and disturbing behaviour)
• if your child is under 5 months old
• at the same time as other products containing lidocaine.

Other medicines and Anbesol Liquid

Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking, have recently taken, or might take any other medicines, as they may interfere with Anbesol Liquid.

Pharmacist FAQs

Why use Anbesol over others?

When gums hurt, and sleep is ruining your child for days, "gentle teething toys" are not on the agenda. Anbesol Liquid applies local anaesthesia right to the area. Lidocaine hydrochloride (0.9%) acts within minutes. It does not divert the pain. It suppresses it. Temporary, yes. But sometimes, that is all you need to get through the hour.

It's not just for babies. Adults with ulcers that occur at the most inconvenient time or dentures that rub raw spots—same. A few drops on the fingertip. Applied directly. Instant relief.

How often can I apply Anbesol Liquid?

Six times in 24 hours. That's your maximum. Three-hour intervals. Adhere to it. The temptation to use too early is great - especially with teething - but more is not better. If they swallow some, don't refill it immediately. Wait. Allow the lidocaine to wear off a bit before trying again.

Seven days max for teething. Beyond that, reconsider. If they're still ill, if the pain is getting worse, don't just reapply. Call someone. GP, chemist - whoever's around. Persistent pain in babies needs a proper investigation.

Anything to watch out for?

Yes. Open mouth wounds can interfere with absorption. If there is broken skin, be careful - lidocaine is absorbed more quickly than it should be. That's important in young children. And don't double up with other lidocaine preparations (gels, sprays, lozenges). Local anaesthetics pile up. Not always safely.

Don't give it to infants younger than 5 months. Their enzyme mechanisms aren't mature. It's not a comfort issue - it's pharmacokinetics.

What are the ingredients?

There’s also chlorocresol, an antiseptic. Helps with minor infections and keeps bacteria at bay. And cetylpyridinium chloride - another antimicrobial agent. The combination isn’t random. It’s designed to soothe, numb, and clean - all in one go. Yes, there’s alcohol, too. That’s not a problem unless you’ve got large areas of mucosa involved or you’re hypersensitive.

Is it safe in Pregnancy and breastfeeding?

Used properly, it's fine. Lidocaine enters breast milk in tiny amounts. Not enough to sedate a baby. But don't treat pain in pregnancy without checking first. There's a reason clinical guidelines exist—even for OTC drugs.

Anything else to know about Anbesol Liquid

This stuff discolours. Menthol, dyes, alcohol - it's not clear or neutral. Use a cotton bud if you're dealing with ulcers near visible gumlines or front teeth, especially in adults.

Mouth pain is minor - until you have it. Then, it overwhelms you. Use Anbesol properly, and it regains control for a few hours. Sometimes, that is all you need.