G. C. Rodgers, M. Tenenbein
Jan 1, 1994
Citations
0
Influential Citations
18
Citations
Journal
Pediatrics
Abstract
The use of bittering agents as "aversives" has been advocated as a possible method of preventing toxic ingestions in children. The most commonly recommended agent, denatonium benzoate (Bitrex, Bitter Safe, and other brand names) is a chemical related to lidocaine. It was developed initially as a possible local anesthetic but was found to have an unpleasant and bitter taste at as low as 50 ppb in liquid products. Because of this property it has been used for many years as a denaturant for alcohol to prevent ingestion. It has been suggested that denatonium benzoate would be effective in preventing a significant number of pediatric ingestions if it were widely used as an aversive agent in potentially toxic products found in the home.