Pharmacy Guide

Patient leaflets and SmPCs, drug interaction checker, official dosages and NHS pharmacy opening hours — all in one place.

Pharmacy Guide

Patient leaflets and SmPCs, drug interaction checker, official dosages and NHS pharmacy opening hours — all in one place.

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Bonjela

⚠ This medicine appears to have been discontinued

The electronic medicines compendium (emc) no longer publishes a Summary of Product Characteristics for this product, which usually means it is no longer marketed in the UK. The patient leaflet below is kept for reference, but the product may not be available.

If you were prescribed this medicine, other products containing Cetalkonium chloride, Choline salicylate may still be available. Do not stop your treatment — ask your pharmacist or GP what to use instead.

Active substance: Cetalkonium chloride, Choline salicylate
Source: electronic medicines compendium (emc)
Official leaflet: Read the PIL on emc

What it is and what it is used for

FOR bonjela is used to

  • relieve the pain and discomfort of common mouth ulcers and cold sores.
  • aid healing of sore spots and ulcers due to dentures and braces. bonjela is a clear, almost colourless gel, which is applied to the inside of the mouth or gums. It contains choline salicylate (a pain killer and anti-inflammatory) which soothes sore areas in the mouth and an antiseptic called cetalkonium chloride,

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138 mm

Read all of this leaflet carefully before you start using this medicine because it contains important information for you.

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choline salicylate, cetalkonium chloride INFORMATION FOR THE USER

Pharmacode Reads This Way

Trident Reference No:

which kills bacteria and helps prevent infection. bonjela is intended for adults and children over the age of 16.

What you need to know before you take it

E BONJELA Do not give to children or adolescents under 16 years of age. This is because there is a possible link between salicylates and Reye's syndrome when given to children. Reye's syndrome is a very rare disease which affects the brain and liver and can be fatal. Do not use if you are

  • suffering from a stomach ulcer
  • allergic to salicylates, Asprin or other NSAIDs (e.g. ibuprofen), or to any other ingredients in this product (see section 6) Warnings and precautions This product contains salicylates. Talk to your doctor before taking this product with Aspirin or other salicylates. Other medicines and bonjela Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking, have recently taken or might take any other medicines. Salicylates may increase the effect of blood thinning medicines (anticoagulants) and can decrease the effect of medicines to treat gout (uricosurics) such as probenic acid, benzbromarone. Pregnancy and breast-feeding If you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breast-feeding, speak to your doctor or pharmacist. Important information about some of the ingredients in bonjela This medicine contains 46.83 mg of alcohol (ethanol) in each dose. The amount in each dose of this medicine is equivalent to less than 2 ml beer or 1 ml of wine. The small amount of alcohol in this medicine will not have any noticeable effects. 0000000

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Frequently asked questions about Bonjela

What is the active substance in Bonjela?

The active substance in Bonjela is cetalkonium chloride, choline salicylate.

Where does this information come from?

This leaflet reproduces the patient information leaflet approved for Bonjela, as published on the electronic medicines compendium (emc). The version printed inside your medicine’s packaging is the one that applies to you.

Can I get Bonjela without a prescription?

Whether a medicine is available over the counter or on prescription only depends on its licence. Check the leaflet, or ask your pharmacist — they can tell you straight away.

About this leaflet

The text above reproduces the patient information leaflet approved for this medicine, restructured for easier reading.

Medical disclaimer: This page is for information only and does not replace advice from your doctor or pharmacist. Always read the leaflet supplied with your medicine. If you are unwell, call NHS 111; in an emergency, call 999.

Medicines with the same active substance: Cetalkonium chloride, choline salicylate (1 medicine)
See every medicine containing this substance, or browse the full A–Z of active substances.
⚕For healthcare professionals — Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC)Full SmPC: dosage, interactions, contraindications, warnings+
Technical information intended for healthcare professionals (doctors and pharmacists). The Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC) is the official document approved by the MHRA/EMA. It does not replace the patient leaflet or a doctor’s advice.

4.1. Therapeutic indications

For the relief of pain, discomfort and inflammation caused by common mouth ulcers, cold sores, denture and sore spots, as well as mouth ulcers, and sore spots due to orthodontic devices. To help to fight minor mouth infection and aid healing of sore spots and ulcers due to dentures and orthodontic devices.

4.2. Posology and method of administration

By topical application to the oral mucosa.

Adults and children over the age of 16: Using a clean finger massage approximately half an inch of the gel onto the sore area, not more than once every 3hours.

There is no indication that dosage need be modified in the elderly.

Denture irritation: Apply and leave at least 30 minutes before reinsertion of the dentures. Do not apply this product directly to the dentures.

4.3. Contraindications

Not to be used in children and adolescents under the age of 16. This is because there is a possible association between salicylates and Reye's syndrome when given to children. Reye's syndrome is a very rare disease which affects the brain and liver and can be fatal.

Not to be used in patients suffering from active peptic ulceration.

Not to be used in patients with hypersensitivity to salicylates, Acetylsalicylic Acid (Aspirin) or other NSAIDs, or to any of the excipients.

Salicylates and Acetylsalicylic acid: doses > 100 mg/day during the third trimester of pregnancy

4.4. Special warnings and precautions for use

Label warnings: Do not exceed the stated dose. Consult your doctor or dentist before use if you are in the first or second trimester of pregnancy or when symptoms persist for more than seven days. Keep out of the reach of children.

This medicinal product contains 46.83 mg of alcohol (ethanol) in each dose. The amount in each dose of this medicine is equivalent to less than 2 ml beer or 1 ml of wine. The small amount of alcohol in this medicine will not have any noticeable effects.

It may cause burning sensation on damaged skin.

This medicine contains less than 1 mmol sodium (23 mg) in each dose, that is to say essentially 'sodium-free'.

This medicine contains fragrance with d-limonene, anisyl alcohol and linalool. d-Limonene, anisyl alcohol and linalool may cause allergic reactions.

This product contains salicylate and should not be used with acetylsalicylic acid (aspirin) or other salicylates except under the direction of a doctor.

4.5. Interaction with other medicinal products and other forms of interaction

Salicylates may enhance the effect of anticoagulants and inhibit the action of uricosurics.

4.6. Fertility, pregnancy and lactation

Pregnancy:

Salicylates and Acetylsalicylic acid: low doses (up to 100 mg/day):

Clinical studies indicate that doses up to 100 mg/day for restricted obstetrical use, which require specialised monitoring, appear safe.

Breast feeding:

Low quantities of salicylates and of their metabolites are excreted into the breast milk. Since adverse effects for the infant have not been reported up to now, short-term use of the recommended dose does not require suspending breastfeeding.

Fertility:

There is no information on the effects of topical oral choline salicylate and fertility.

4.7. Effects on ability to drive and use machines

None known.

4.8. Undesirable effects

The list of the following adverse effects relates to those experienced with topical oral salicylates at OTC doses, in short-term use. In the treatment of chronic conditions, under long-term treatment, additional adverse effects may occur. Adverse events which have been associated with salicylates are given below, listed by system organ class and frequency. Frequencies are defined as: very common (≥ 1/10), common (≥ 1/100 and <1/10), uncommon (≥ 1/1000 and <1/100), rare (≥ 1/10,000 and <1/1000), very rare (< 1/10,000) and not known (cannot be estimated from the available data). Within each frequency grouping, adverse events are presented in order of decreasing seriousness.

System Organ Class

Frequency

Adverse Event

Respiratory, Thoracic and Mediastinal Disorders

Not known

Bronchospasm, and asthma1.

Immune System Disorders

Not known

Hypersensitivity

1Salicylates may precipitate bronchospasm and induce asthma attacks in susceptible patients.

Reporting of suspected adverse reactions

Reporting suspected adverse reactions after authorisation of the medicinal product is important. It allows continued monitoring of the benefit/risk balance of the medicinal product. Healthcare professionals are asked to report any suspected adverse reactions via the Yellow Card Scheme at: www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard.

4.9. Overdose

Salicylate toxicity can result if the stated dose is exceeded.

Salicylate poisoning is usually associated with plasma concentrations >350 mg/L (2.5 mmol/L). Most adult deaths occur in patients whose concentrations exceed 700 mg/L (5.1 mmol/L). Single doses less than 100 mg/kg are unlikely to cause serious poisoning. Patients should be given supportive therapy or treatment for salicylate poisoning as necessary. This may include treatment like activated charcoal, urinary alkalinisation and in severe cases haemodialysis.

🇵🇱 Known in Poland as

Medicines sold in Poland with the same active substance: W Polsce znany jako

⚠ Not the same combination. This medicine contains Cetalkonium chloride, Choline salicylate. The products below do not contain exactly the same set of active substances — they are not direct substitutes.

⚠ Same active substance, but a different pharmaceutical form (for example a gel instead of a tablet). Not interchangeable — ask a pharmacist.

  • 11C-cholina partial — not the same combinationCholine (11C) · injection / infusion

Some of these do not contain exactly the same active substances — check each one. The strength, the form and whether you need a prescription can differ. Always ask a pharmacist before you switch. Polish medicines in the UK →

💬 Ask about this leaflet

Ask anything about Bonjela. The assistant answers only from this leaflet — if the leaflet does not cover it, it will say so. It does not give medical advice.

Answers come from the patient leaflet published on the electronic medicines compendium (emc). They are not medical advice. Ask a pharmacist or your GP if you are unsure. For urgent help call NHS 111, or 999 in an emergency.

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