Symptoms of an overdose of tetrahydrozoline include drowsiness, slow breathing or absence of breathing, slow heartbeat, hypothermia and possibly even coma. No, she didnt just have bad aim. Eye drops designed to treat rednessare not intended to be consumed orally. A.D.A.M. Eye drops like Visine, Murine Plus,and Clarine are marketed as ways for you to get the red out of your eyes. We report a case of unintentional tetrahydrozoline ingestion with cardiovascular . 20 February 2002. Whileeye dropscan be dangerous if swallowed, experts say the chemical used to get the red out of your eyes is safe when used correctly. The UF College of Dentistry is the only public-funded dental school in Florida and is recognized as one of the top U.S. dental schools for the quality of its educational programs, oral health research enterprise and commitment to patient care and service. More than 100 of these products contain an ingredient, tetrahydrozoline, that is similar to a commonly used blood pressure-lowering medication called clonidine. Sure, some causes of red eyes may be relatively benign. J Emerg Med. According to figures provided in an email by the American Association of Poison Control Centers, there were no reported deaths from tetrahydrozoline from 2016 through 2019. is also a founding member of Hi-Ethics. It does NOT need to be an emergency. While it is true that Visine is readily obtainable (it's an non-prescription eye drop manufactured by pharmaceutical giant Pfizer), a drink spiked with it is not a sure-fire means of producing diarrhea in the one unfortunate enough to swallow it, and ingestion of such a concoction is downright dangerous, making this "harmless" form of retaliation fraught with hazard. Seek medical help right away. It was a popular one with the ancient Greeks, who used it to kill off their prisoners. It does NOT need to be an emergency. Symptoms Symptoms may include: Coma Difficulty breathing or no breathing Blurred vision Blue lips and fingernails Change in pupil size Changes in blood pressure (high at first, low later) Fast heartbeat Headache Irritability Low body temperature Nausea and vomiting Nervousness Seizures Tremors (unintentional trembling) Home Care Even a small ingestion can cause clinical signs of vomiting, lethargy/depression or . This is a free and confidential service. Lowering body temperature to dangerous levels, Making breathing difficult, or even halting it entirely, Elevating and then dropping blood pressure, In 1995 an adult customer at a Whole Foods market (a retail chain of natural and organic foods) had his wheat-grass smoothie spiked with a bottle of Visine by a clerk intent upon playing a practical joke. Tetrahydrozoline is sold under the following brand names: Note: This list may not be all inclusive. Unintentional pediatric ophthalmic tetrahydrozoline ingestion: case files of the medical toxicology fellowship at the University of California, San Francisco. The former Veterans Affairs nurse and South Carolina resident had pleaded guilty of putting Visine eye drops in her husbands drink. The desire for revenge runs deep in all of us. All medications can have side effects. It was said in court that she admitted to putting eye drops in his water, Leslie Robinson, assistant solicitor for York County, said in an interview on Friday. Products containing tetrahydrozoline can interact with many prescription drugs. In exchange, prosecutors have agreed to recommend a sentence of up to four years in the Wyoming Women's Center. Anyone can read what you share. UPDATE (1/22/2020): Johnson & Johnson has provided the following statement about the cases: Were deeply saddened to learn of this news and are devastated that anyone would use our product for such an abhorrent act. 9 January 2009. Hemlock or Conium is a highly toxic flowering plant indigenous to Europe and South Africa. Most cases of poisoning are not criminal, but accidental by children or petswho find the small bottles of odorless, clear solution. This article is for information only. In: Aronson JK, ed. Typically, correct use is no more than two drops in your eyes six times a day. Always read the label before using any over-the-counter (OTC) product. That is why we provide online Continuing Medical Education (CME) courses for you to complete for CME credits. Death comes in the form of paralysis-your mind is wide awake, but . 19 June 2009. Givens, Ann. Take the container with you to the hospital, if possible. In Patient Centered Medicine. The Houston Chronicle. Tetrahydrozoline can be absorbed through your gastrointestinal tract into your main blood circulation much more readily and then travel to your heart and central nervous system. In young children, serious adverse events can occur from ingesting only a small amount (1 to 2 mL, or several drops) of tetrahydrozoline. Yin S. Over-the-counter cough and cold preparations: Approach to pediatric poisoning. Tetrahydrozoline hydrochloride | C13H17ClN2 | CID 10648 - structure, chemical names, physical and chemical properties, classification, patents, literature, biological . When consumed orally, tetrahydrozoline passes quickly through the gastrointestinal tract, rapidly reaching the blood and the central nervous system, the article said. Students rotate through the various clinical settings on the campus, and primary care centers and specialty care centers located throughout Jacksonville. Associated Press. Medical literature reports other cases of small children brought to the brink of crisis by ingestion of tiny amounts of over-the-counter eye drops. WRIC-TV [Richmond]. The. A 33-year-old Pennsylvania woman could spend the rest of her life in prison after admitting to police that she repeatedly poisoned her boyfriend with Visine eye drops for more than three years in . Symptoms of an overdose. Visit MyUFHealth to get an estimate for your cost for the most common medical procedures. by Roberto Machado Noa/LightRocket via Getty Images). Toxicology tests showed the woman had a fatal dose of tetrahydrozoline . Tetryzoline. These courses share the latest in medical knowledge, teach new patient-relationship skills and help providers deal with relevant current issues. Clayton's family released a statement on the allegations against his wife. Such interactions may enhance the therapeutic effects of the drug or other medications being taken, resulting in undesired side effects (such as an overdose). These medications are available over-the-counter in pharmacies in the United States and are frequently not packaged in child-resistant containers. 52 VANDERBILT AVE, NEW YORK, NY 10017 USA: INFORMA HEALTHCARE. Then, they were forced to leave a bar by the person who posioned them. You could kill the person. But now, court documents say the 52-year-old mother of two confessed to administering the poison to him in his water over a three-day period. Tobias, Joseph. Help is available online with web POISON CONTROL or by phone at 1-800-222-1222. This national hotline will let you talk to experts in poisoning. The active ingredient in eye drops such as Visine is tetrahydrozoline HCI. Your local poison control center can be reached directly by calling the national toll-free Poison Help hotline (1-800-222-1222) from anywhere in the United States. It should never be ingested for the consequences can even be fatal The amount will vary, even a small amount can be lethal. Visine may cause serious side effects. In January 2015 Unger pleaded guilty to six counts of aggravated assault of a victim less than six years old and one count of endangering the welfare of a child. Tetrahydrolozine may cause ocular burning, stinging, dryness, headache, insomnia, dizziness, tremors, palpitations, rebound erythema and congestion. She pleaded guilty to a lesser charge of voluntary manslaughter and was also sentenced to a tampering charge with a 20-year concurrent sentence, the filings show. Ms. Clayton had originally been charged with murder after her arrest in August 2018, the arrest warrant said. The movie I Hope They Serve Beer in Hell and the television series Orange Is The New Black both had scenes in which this happened. You dont want them putting even a few milliliters of the stuff into their mouths. Commonly used drops marketed to reduce redness in the eyes typically contain tetrahydrozoline, which was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 1954 and belongs to a family of drugs called imidazoles. Oh, and even if the persons eyes are red, dont give him or her more eye drops. While poisoning symptoms are uncommon after applying the drops to the eyes, these agents can produce significant poisoning if taken orally. As the two cases demonstrated, even relatively small amounts can be toxic. If the cause is not obvious or not minor, see your doctor as soon as possible, especially if there are accompanying symptoms such as loss of vision or the presence of a harpoon. Symptoms Symptoms may include: Altered mental state Coma (lack of responsiveness) Difficulty breathing or no breathing Blurred vision Blue lips and fingernails Changes in blood pressure (high at first, low later) Change in pupil size Fast or slow heartbeat Headache Irritability Low body temperature Nausea and vomiting Nervousness, tremors Seizures Intentionally or accidentally drinking eye drops can lead to toxic blood levels. Always read the label before using any over-the-counter (OTC) product. If it is established that a person is a regular drug user, then raise the number of milligrams for MLD by 33%. 7 September 1997 (p. A32). National Capital Poison Center (USA)3201 New Mexico Ave, Suite 310 Washington, DC 20016Administrative Line: (202) 362-3867Emergency Line: 1 (800) 222-1222Fax: (202) 362-8377Email: pc@poison.orgWebsite: http://www.poison.org, American Association of Poison Control Centers (USA)515 King St., Suite 510, Alexandria, VA 22314Phone: (703) 894-1858Email: info@aapcc.orgWebsite: http://www.aapcc.org, National Poisons Centre (New Zealand)Dunedin School of Medicine, University of OtagoPO Box 913 Dunedin 9054, New ZealandPhone: 0800 POISON (0800 764 766)Website: http://www.poisons.co.nz, NSW Poisons Information Centre (Australia)Hawkesbury Rd & Hainsworth Street, Westmead NSW 2145, AustraliaPhone: +61 13 11 26Email: nswpoisons@chw.edu.auWebsite: https://www.poisonsinfo.nsw.gov.au, British Columbia Drug and Poison Information Centre (Canada)Room 0063, BC Centre for Disease Control655 West 12th AvenueVancouver, BC V5Z 4R4 CanadaPhone: (604) 682-5050Toll-Free: 1 (800) 567-8911Fax: (604) 707-2807Website: http://www.capcc.ca, Poisons Information Centre (South Africa)Room 411, Institute of Child HealthRed Cross Children's HospitalKlipfontein Road, Rondebosch, 7700, Cape Town South AfricaPhone: +27 21 658 5308Fax: +27 21 650 4492Email: poisonsinformation@uct.ac.zaWebsite: https://www.afritox.co.za, National Poisons Information Service (United Kingdom)City Hospital Dudley Rd, Birmingham United Kingdom B187QHPhone: +44 844 892 0111Fax: +44 121 507 55 88Email: mail@npis.orgWebsite: http://www.npis.org, https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/002590.htm (accessed on 06/20/2017), https://toxnet.nlm.nih.gov/cgi-bin/sis/search/a?dbs+hsdb:@term+@DOCNO+7471 (accessed on 06/20/2017), https://www.drugs.com/cdi/tetrahydrozoline-eye-drops.html (accessed on 06/20/2017), https://www.fda.gov/ForConsumers/ConsumerUpdates/ucm253338.htm (accessed on 06/20/2017). Topic 16258 Version 15.0, November 2020. There it can get. Drinking it can (and has) caused severe depression of the central nervous system. The Lancet. Medical Toxicology Physician, Call MILWAUKEE Prosecutors have accused a suburban Milwaukee woman of killing her friend by poisoning her with eyedrops. Tetryzoline. The girl later told police that she got the idea to use the eye drops as poison from an unrelated news story. Reviewed by: Jacob L. Heller, MD, MHA, Emergency Medicine, Emeritus, Virginia Mason Medical Center, Seattle, WA. You should call if you have any questions about poisoning or poison prevention. The active ingredient in eye drops such as Visine is tetrahydrozoline HCI. There are certainly other better ways of giving someone explosive diarrhea, not that you should ever try to give someone such misery. Tomassoni, A. J. "Investigator Testifies That Airman Confessed to Eskew Killing." Some reports show that patients who ingest tetrahydrozaline have severe drops in blood pressure and heart rate, which may seem counterintuitive, considering eye drops are meant to constrict blood. In young children, serious adverse events can occur from ingesting only a small amount (1 to 2 mL, or several drops) of tetrahydrozoline. The signs and symptoms of Tetrahydrozoline Poisoning can vary from one individual to another. Accessed June 8, 2021. Products like Visine contain tetrahydrozoline HCI, according to http://Healthguidance.org, and this substance is known to cause diarrhea, nausea, severe breathing difficulty, respiratory failure, tremors, blurred vision, seizures, coma and even death. "Woman Ordered to Pay Poisoned Roommate's Hospital Bill." A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, for Health Content Provider (www.urac.org). In young children, serious adverse events can occur from ingesting only a small amount (1 to 2 mL, or several drops) of tetrahydrozoline. The College of Medicine, the largest of six colleges at the University of Florida Academic Health Center, opened in 1956 with a mission to increase Florida's supply of highly qualified physicians, provide advanced health-care services to Florida residents and foster discovery in health research. The signs and symptoms of Tetrahydrozoline Poisoning may include: First Aid tips for Tetrahydrozoline Poisoning: The emergency medical health professional might perform the following steps towards treating the condition: First aid for Tetrahydrozoline Poisoning is administered by healthcare professionals. When a bottle of product containing imidazolines is chewed, it can result in severe poisoning in pets - even death, when untreated. In general, sleepiness or drowsiness are symptoms of concern if children particularly those below the age of 6 consume more than 1 milliliter in a day., Clinical pharmacologist and president of PharmaLogic Development, Inc., Gary Novack, PhD, agrees. When investigators contacted the husband he reported experiencing stomach problems for the past two months, and poison control personnel informed a detective that ingesting too much Visine "would put a person in a coma with several other serious symptoms. Symptoms of an overdose of tetrahydrozoline include drowsiness, slow breathing or absence of breathing, slow heartbeat, hypothermia and possibly even coma. The products contain the active ingredients tetrahydrozoline, naphazoline, or oxymetazoline. Because cats cannot metabolize acetaminophen, it builds up in the blood. Several systems of the body, such as the respiratory system, digestive system, nervous system, and ENT may be affected. Tetrahydrozoline Poisoning can be prevented by: It is important to give your healthcare provider a complete list of prescription and non-prescription medications that are being currently taken. DO NOT use it to treat or manage an actual poison exposure. state Department of Insurance said when announcing his arrest last month. 539-540). segment described, he allegedly used Visine eye drops to poison and eventually kill his wife, 32-year-old Stacy Robinson Hunsucker: during New Line Cinema Premiere of "Wedding Crashers" at Ziegfeld Theatre in New York, New York, United States. For example, if the redness is actually blood gushing out of your eyeballs, dont just put Visine on them. The College of Public Health & Health Professions (PHHP) is dedicated to providing excellent educational programs that prepare graduates to address the multifaceted health needs of populations, communities and individuals. Dont say that people use only 10% of their hearts when you reveal only 10% of your true identity. You let him suffer for three days., I did impulsively put the Visine in Stevens drink, but I just did it to make him uncomfortable, Ms. Clayton said in court, referring to a common eye drop, according to The Associated Press. Automobile fluids. Dog poisoning symptoms include: Vomiting Lethargy Abdominal pain Loss of appetite Excessive salivation Lack of coordination Bloody urine Causes Overdosing of veterinary pills Consumption of human drugs including but not limited to: Antihistamines Sleeping tablets Diet pills Heart pills Blood pressure pills Ibuprofen Acetaminophen Diagnosis Before we move further to the symptoms of poisoning and analyze the tests required for its treatment, it's essential to understand the causes and risk factors that can lead to poisoning. Opinions expressed by Forbes Contributors are their own. Visine side effects. Snopes and the Snopes.com logo are registered service marks of Snopes.com. Further, any substance ingested in a sufficient quantity can likewise be toxic. Clonidine and topical imidazolines exposure in toddlers. Symptoms Symptoms may include: Altered mental state Coma (lack of responsiveness) Difficulty breathing or no breathing Blurred vision Blue lips and fingernails Changes in blood pressure (high at first, low later) Change in pupil size Fast or slow heartbeat Headache Irritability Low body temperature Nausea and vomiting Nervousness, tremors Seizures In March 2013, a 27-year-old mechanic named Shayne Carpenter was arrested in Grass Valley, California, for putting eye drops in his girlfriend's drink after an argument with her, causing her to feel ill. Sinoatrial node arrest following tetrahydrozoline ingestion. Constricting blood vessels in your eyes is how they get the red out.. Visine is clearly labeled for external use only and should never be swallowed.. It matters not if actual harm results from the attempt the act itself is enough to land one in the hoosegow. (2013). Symptoms will be treated as appropriate. Paksu, M. S., Paksu, S., Akkus, T., & Baysal, K. (2012). The UF College of Pharmacy-Jacksonville offers a four-year Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.) 2003 Oct;25(3):297-302. This would be considered. Scared of Eye Drops? This article is for information only. The mouth may have a metallic taste and the breath emits a garlic type of odor. The active ingredient in Visine eye drops is Tetrahydrozoline HCI 0.05%. When any ingestion is accompanied by ETOH (ethyl alcohol), it increases the toxicity level by approx 50%. His wife claimed he had succumbed to a fatal fall. Tetrahydrozoline is sold under the following brand names: Note: This list may not be all inclusive. Murdaugh is heckled as he leaves court, Ukrainian soldier takes out five tanks with Javelin missiles, Isabel Oakeshott receives 'menacing' message from Matt Hancock, Alex Murdaugh unanimously found GUILTY of murder of wife and son, Isabel Oakeshott clashes with Nick Robinson over Hancock texts, Family of a 10-month-old baby filmed vaping open up, Missing hiker buried under snow forces arm out to wave to helicopter, Moment teenager crashes into back of lorry after 100mph police race. Wolfhagen, F.H.J., et al. Common Symptoms of Low Grade Arsenic Toxicity. Yin S. Over-the-counter cough and cold preparations: Approach to pediatric poisoning. Symptoms Symptoms may include: Altered mental state Coma (lack of responsiveness) Difficulty breathing or no breathing Blurred vision Blue lips and fingernails Products containing tetrahydrozoline can interact with many prescription drugs. Alpha-2 Adrenergic and Imidazoline Receptor Agonists: Clonidine, Dexmedetomidine, and Related Antihypertensives, Decongestants, and Sedatives. Tetrahydrozoline poisoning occurs when someone accidentally or intentionally swallows this product. Because tetrahydrozoline ingestion can cause significant toxicity in young children, it is very important for parents and caregivers of young children to be aware of this potentially very dangerous poison. Rani, M., & Murty, O. P. (2012). WOIO-TV [Cleveland]. "Airman Sentenced to Life in Prison." Others in the class who saw the act removed the adulterated beverage before the intended victim could drink it. Johnson & Johnson, the maker of Visine, said in a statement on Friday: Using tetrahydrozoline (active ingredient in Visine) on the surface of the eye has been demonstrated to be safe for self-use for over 50 years. The chemical is found in Visine, Murine Plus, Altazine, Clarine and some other over-the-counter eye drops, according to Drugs.com. Because these medications are often sold without child-resistant packaging, it is very important to keep these products far away from the reach of young children. The cause of death was listed as tetrahydrozoline poisoning and classified as a homicide, not suicide or an accident. Saturday's installment of "48 Hours" examines the strange case of Lana Clayton, a nurse who fatally poisoned her millionaire husband by lacing his drinks with Visine. DrugFacilitated Sexual Assault Using Tetrahydrozoline. It can also lead to a drop in body temperature, a coma, and, of course, death. When used in the eyes as directed to reduce redness, these types of eye drops are not absorbed systemically in amounts that lead to toxicity. A majority of the cases are often not fatal, when appropriate treatment is given. Loosen tight clothing such as a collar, tie, belt or waistband. At the center of the case is the use of the chemical tetrahydrozoline, which is an active ingredient in eye drops that can be purchased without a prescription. A woman is accused of poisoning her husband with over-the-counter eye drops, which led to his death, according to cops. Its use in greater than recommended doses may cause hypertension, bradycardia, rebound hypotension, and possibly arrhythmias. By now, most people know that Tylenol (acetaminophen) will KILL cats. 14 November 2006. Copyright 1997-2023, A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited without authorization. Read More. The health care provider will measure and monitor the person's vital signs, including temperature, pulse, breathing rate, and blood pressure. It also figures in murder charges against Joshua Lee Hunsucker, a North Carolina paramedic accused of killing his wife, Stacy Hunsucker, 32, in 2018, allegedly for life insurance money, the state Department of Insurance said when announcing his arrest last month. (Photo: Getty Images). "Woman Accused of Trying to Kill Husband." This national hotline will let you talk to experts in poisoning. To use the sharing features on this page, please enable JavaScript. Ingesting this substance can lead to a variety of harmful side effects such as dramatically lowering body temperature, causing severe breathing difficulty, respiratory failure, blurred vision, nausea, vomiting, blood pressure fluctuation, tremors, seizures and even coma. When used in high amounts or when ingested, tetrahydrozoline can also cause sleepiness, low blood pressure, and a dangerously slow heart rate. Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone. In June 2006, five Wisconsin high school students trying to pull the Visine prank poured about a quarter of a bottle of the eyedrops into a classmate's water. Also, the mental image of an enemy sent hotfooting for the toilet is a hugely satisfying one, especially in a society that views fecal output as something to be ashamed of. Therefore, if you do have red eyes, dont just use eye drops without first trying to figure out the cause. Linking to and Using Content from MedlinePlus, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Changes in blood pressure (high at first, low later), The name of the product (ingredients and strengths if known), ECG (electrocardiogram, or heart tracing), Fluids through the vein (intravenous or IV). While they are approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for over-the-counter use, avoid using such medications unless you really need them. The following is a list of over-the-counter medications, household products, foods, and other items that may be potentially toxic to a pet. Meyler's Side Effects of Drugs. [New York] Newsday. 20:09 GMT 22 Mar 2013. Editorial team. Lana Sue Clayton was sentenced to 25 years in prison after she added eye drops to her husbands drinks in such large amounts that the active chemical killed him, according to the authorities. In February, a 33-year-old Pennsylvania woman was sentenced to four years in prison after admitting that she had put the medicine into her boyfriend's drinking water a dozen times since 2009. If you or someone you are with has an exposure, call the local emergency number (such as 911), or the local poison center can be reached directly by calling the national toll-free Poison Help hotline (1-800-222-1222) from anywhere in the United States. Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. stinging or burning of the eye blurred vision increased eye redness or irritation If you experience any of the following symptoms, stop using tetrahydrozoline eye drops and call your doctor immediately: headache sweating fast or irregular heartbeat nervousness Eddy O, Howell JM. A few drops of Visine brand eye drops taken internally will induce uncontrollable diarrhea. We offer a a four-year Doctor of Veterinary Medicine programs as well as M.S. One drop can be beneficial, one swig can be deadly: tetrahydrozoline intoxication. Flynn, George. In 1996, a two-year-old child who ingested at most 2 to 3 mL of Visine eye drops became dangerously lethargic and unresponsive to every stimulus except deep pain. Ginger Watson knows what it is like to be poisoned by eye drops. Visine is clearly labeled for external use only and should never be swallowed., This is a BETA experience. Tetrahydrozoline is sold under the following brand names: Note: This list may not be all inclusive. They will give you further instructions. A Franklin woman allegedly stole thousands of dollars from a family friend she was caring for, fatally poisoned her with eyedrops, and staged the scene to .