Parents are being urged not to obtain unlicensed homeopathic teething products for their infants online.

According to the Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA), these teething tablets and gels should not be used as they could pose risks to the safety of babies.

While these products are made and supplied by manufacturers in the US, and are not licensed for sale in Ireland, they are advertised and available to purchase online.

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) carried out an investigation into a number of these products and found that they can cause serious side-effects, such as breathing difficulties, seizures, excessive sleepiness, constipation and muscle weakness.

If any parents in Ireland are using these products, the HPRA advises them to stop immediately and dispose of them safely. If a child who has been given these products is experiencing side-effects, medical advice should be sought immediately.

The HRPA emphasised that this alert does not apply to the two homeopathic teething products that are permitted for sale on the Irish market - Nelsons Teetha Teething Granules and Nelsons Teetha Teething Gel.

For more information on teething and how to deal with it, click here