Quick answers
- What is Benzocaine and zinc chloride used for?
- The Drug Facts label of Gumsol (Kramer Novis) lists these uses: Temporarily relieves pain due to toothaches, canker sores or minor mouth injuries of the mouth and gums caused by dentures or orthodontic appliances.
- Do I need a prescription for Benzocaine and zinc chloride?
- No. The products on this page are sold without a prescription (over the counter).
- Is a store brand the same as the name brand?
- Products listed together below have the same active ingredients, in the same amount and the same form, as registered with the FDA. Inactive ingredients (such as colors, flavors and fillers) and package sizes can differ. Compare the “Active ingredient” box on both packages, and ask a pharmacist if you are not sure.
- Has Benzocaine and zinc chloride been recalled?
- No recall linked to these products appears in the FDA enforcement reports we use.
Drug Facts label
Every over-the-counter medicine must carry a “Drug Facts” box in the same order, set by FDA rules. Below is the label of one product for each common strength and form, quoted word for word. Your own package can differ (for example, children’s products have other directions): always follow the label on your package.
Gumsol · Kramer Novis
Benzocaine 1.5 g/30 mL · Zinc chloride 0.03 g/30 mL, spray (oral)
Active ingredient (in 30 mL)
Benzocaine (5%) Zinc Chloride (0.1%)
Purpose
Anesthetic Astringent
Uses
Temporarily relieves pain due to toothaches, canker sores or minor mouth injuries of the mouth and gums caused by dentures or orthodontic appliances.
Warnings
- Methemoglobinemia warning: Use of this product may cause methemoglobinemia, a serious condition that must be treated promptly because it reduces the amount of oxygen carried in blood. This can occur even if you have used this product before. Stop use and seek immediate medical attention if you, or a child in your care develops:
- Pale gray, or blue colored skin (cyanosis)
- Headache
- Rapid heart rate
- Shortness of breath
- Dizziness or lightheadedness
- Fatigue or lack of energy Allergy Alert: do not use this product if you have a history of allergy to local anesthetics such as procaine, butacaine, benzocaine or other "caine" anesthetic. If skin reaction occurs, stop use and seek medical help right away.
- Sore throat warning: if sore throat is severe, persists for more than 2 days, is accompanied or followed by fever, headache, rash, swelling, nausea, or vomiting, consult a doctor promptly
Do not use
(unless directed by a doctor):
- more than directed
- for more than 7 days
- in children under 2 years of age
- for teething. Stop use and see a doctor promptly if:
- sore mouth symptoms do not improve in 7 days
- irritation, pain or redness persist or worsen
- swelling, rash or fever develops.
If pregnant or breast-feeding
ask a health professional before use. KEEP OUT OF REACH OF CHILDREN. If swallowed, get medical help or contact a Poison Control Center right away.
Directions
| Adults and children 12 years of age and older | Dry affected area with absorbent cotton. Spray 4 times daily or as directed by physician. |
| Children under 12 years of age | Should be supervised in the usage of this product. |
| Children under 2 years of age | Do not use. |
Inactive ingredients
Aspartame, cetylpyridinium chloride, glycerin, menthol, methylparaben, peppermint flavor, propylene glycol, propylparaben, and water (purified).
Questions?
Kramer Novis San Juan, PR 00917. Monday to Friday (8am-4pm). 787-767-2072 www.kramernovis.com
— FDA label of Gumsol, Kramer Novis, effective November 15, 2025. See the official label on DailyMed →
KANKA SoftBrush · Blistex Inc
Benzocaine 20 mg/100 g · Zinc chloride 0.1%, gel (oral)
Active ingredient
Purpose Benzocaine 20.0% (w/w) Oral anesthetic/analgesic Zinc Chloride 0.1% (w/w) Oral astringent
Purpose
Active ingredients Purpose Benzocaine 20.0% (w/w) Oral anesthetic/analgesic Zinc Chloride 0.1% (w/w) Oral astringent
Uses
for the temporary relief of pain due to toothaches, canker sores, minor irritation of the mouth and gums caused by dentures or orthodontic appliances, or minor injury of the mouth or gums
Warnings
METHEMOGLOBINEMIA WARNING Use of this product may cause methemoglobinemia, a serious condition that must be treated promptly because it reduces the amount of oxygen carried in blood. This can occur even if you have used this product before. Stop use and seek immediate medical attention if you or a child in your care develops: pale, gray, or blue colored skin (cyanosis) headache rapid heart rate shortness of breath dizziness or lightheadedness fatigue or lack of energy
- Allergy alert: do not use this product if you have a history of allergy to local anesthetics such as procaine, butacaine, benzocaine, or other "caine" anesthetics.
Do not use
for teething in children under 2 years of age
When using this product
do not use this product for more than 7 days unless directed by a dentist or doctor. If sore mouth symptoms do not improve in 7 days; if irritation, pain, or redness persists or worsens; or if swelling, rash or fever develops, see your dentist or doctor promptly. do not exceed recommended dosage.
Keep out of reach of children
If more than used for pain is accidentally swallowed, get medical help or contact a Poison Control Center right away.
Directions
adults and children 2 years of age and older: twist base clockwise to dispense. It may take up to 10 full turns to dispense the initial dose, but subsequent uses should require less than 1 turn. to clean brush tip, rinse with cold water dry affected area and apply medication by gently brushing the affected area. use up to 4 times daily, or as directed by a dentist or doctor children under 12 years of age should be supervised in the use of this product children under 2 years of age: do not use
Inactive ingredients
flavors, glycerin, PEG-8, PEG-75, phenoxyethanol, silica, sucralose
— FDA label of KANKA SoftBrush, Blistex Inc, effective December 12, 2024. See the official label on DailyMed →
This page is not medical advice. Read the label on your package, and ask a pharmacist or doctor if you are not sure a medicine is right for you, for your child, or with your other medicines.
Same medicine, other brands
Each group lists the products that have exactly the same active ingredients, in the same amount and form, as registered with the FDA (NDC Directory). A store brand in the same group has the same medicine as the name brand; inactive ingredients, flavors and package sizes can differ. Each product links to its own official label.
Benzocaine 1.5 g/30 mL · Zinc chloride 0.03 g/30 mL · spray (oral) · 1 product
Drug Facts for this strength and form ↑
| Brand or product name | Company on the label | Label |
|---|---|---|
| Gumsol | Kramer Novis | DailyMed |
Benzocaine 20 mg/100 g · Zinc chloride 0.1% · gel (oral) · 1 product
Drug Facts for this strength and form ↑
| Brand or product name | Company on the label | Label |
|---|---|---|
| KANKA SoftBrush | Blistex Inc | DailyMed |
Companies that sell this medicine
The company named on the package (maker or distributor), as listed in the FDA NDC Directory, with its number of over-the-counter products of this medicine.
- Kramer Novis1 product
- Blistex Inc1 product
Recalls
No recall linked to these products (by their NDC code or label) appears in the FDA enforcement reports.
Next steps
- Find a pharmacy near youA pharmacist can answer questions about this label
- Latest FDA drug recallsPrescription and over-the-counter, newest first
- All over-the-counter medicinesSearch by ingredient, brand or Spanish name
Sources
- Drug labeling (SPL, openFDA) — U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), FDA data exported October 30, 2026, retrieved October 31, 2026
- NDC Directory (openFDA) — U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), FDA data exported October 30, 2026, retrieved October 31, 2026
- Drug recall enforcement reports (openFDA) — U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), FDA data exported October 27, 2026, retrieved October 31, 2026
- FDA rule for the Drug Facts label (21 CFR 201.66)
Only medicines marketed under FDA rules for nonprescription drugs (an FDA monograph or an FDA approval) are listed. Homeopathic products are not listed: the FDA does not evaluate them for safety or effectiveness.