Tetrahydrozoline poisoning - ADAM Products containing tetrahydrozoline can interact with many prescription drugs. 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 '48 Hours' Examines Eye Drop Killing of Millionaire Most recently, a California man was arrested a week ago and charged with trying to poison his girlfriend by lacing her drinks with the eye drops. Both options are free, expert, and confidential. The former Veterans Affairs nurse and South Carolina resident had pleaded guilty of putting Visine eye drops in her husbands drink. You could kill the person. How the Chemical in Eye Drops Attacks Your Body If Swallowed and Can Tetrahydrozoline Poisoning may be also referred to variously as the following: Note: The drug can interact with other prescribed or non-prescribed medications in the body. According to investigators, the victim had ingested about 20 bottles of the eye drops after drinking Visine-laced tea and coffee from July through November 2012. 539-540). Reports of significant toxicity from tetrahydrozoline ingestion are unusual but have occured primarily in small children after unintentional ingestion (3-63, 6). A typical bottle of eye drops contains anywhere from 15 to 30 milliliters of solution. Officials told K2Radio the girl varied her dosage of the eye drops poured into her stepmothers beverages from as little as one-sixth of a bottle to as much as a quarter of a bottle. Ex-EMT Accused of Poisoning Wife With Eye Drops, Starting - Newsweek Death comes in the form of paralysis-your mind is wide awake, but . If it is established that a person is a regular drug user, then raise the number of milligrams for MLD by 33%. 1 July 2014. "Central Nervous System Depression Following Accidental Ingestion of Visine Eye Drops." The Wedding Crashers main characters Vince Vaughn and Owen Wilson pose with Bridesmaids Models [+] during New Line Cinema Premiere of "Wedding Crashers" at Ziegfeld Theatre in New York, New York, United States. Symptoms will be treated as appropriate. 1-800-222-1222 The Dangers of Letting Your Dog Play in the Ocean, Ex-'Top Chef' Contestant Accused of Poisoning Tree That Was Blocking Solar Panels, Woman Who Allegedly Poisoned Niece's Breast Milk Didn't 'Feel an Ounce of Guilt,' Cops Say, Bride Sues Caterer After Guests Suffer Food Poisoning During Wedding. Subsequently, clonidine has been primarily utilized for its potent antihypertensive effect, but is used on- and off-label for a wide variety of indications. By now, most people know that Tylenol (acetaminophen) will KILL cats. In February 2013, a Pennsylvania court sentenced 33-year-old Vickie Jo Mills to two to four years in prison for putting eyedrops into her boyfriend's drinking water 10 to 12 times, causing him to suffer from nausea, vomiting, blood pressure problems and breathing trouble before blood tests revealed the presence of tetrahydrozoline in his system. Therefore, if you do have red eyes, dont just use eye drops without first trying to figure out the cause. 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. In January 2009, 40-year-old Tonia L. Peterson of Fair Grove, Missouri, was charged with first-degree assault for dumping half a bottle of eye drops into her husband's tea in an attempt to kill her spouse. In June 2014, a 22-year-old woman named Samantha Elizabeth Unger was arrested in Thurmont, Maryland, and charged with aggravated assault and endangering the welfare of children. 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. Frank Shull nearly died as a result, spending one month in the hospital and another month in rehab. 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. Why do my eyes burn after using eye drops? Young children and older adults may be severely affected, Always taking the right dose of medication at recommended times, Avoiding drugs that might interact with tetrahydrozoline, Exercising caution while taking multiple drugs with tetrahydrozoline, Keeping medications out of reach of children in child-proof containers, For older individuals and those who tend to be forgetful, medications should be stored in single dose containers with time labels, to avoid multiple dosage, Monitor use of this medication, especially in patients who have depression or harbor suicidal thoughts and behavior, Call 911 (or your local emergency number) for emergency assistance, if symptoms are life-threatening, Call Poison Control Center at 1-800-222-1222 (or the local poison control center) and follow the recommend steps. A Woman Is Accused Of Fatally Poisoning Her Friend With Eyedrops Girl, 19, poisoned her stepmother by pouring FIVE BOTTLES worth of eye 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. "Woman Charged with Assault by Visine Eye Drops." Take the container with you to the hospital, if possible. Some common symptoms that might point to a poisoning include: Nausea and . Medical Toxicology Physician, Call The University of Florida Academic Health Center - the most comprehensive academic health center in the Southeast - is dedicated to high-quality programs of education, research, patient care and public service. (Photo: Getty Images). Swenson K. His wife said he died falling down the stairs. A typical bottle of eye drops contains anywhere from 15 to 30 milliliters of solution. More than 100 of these products contain an ingredient, tetrahydrozoline, that is similar to a commonly used blood pressure-lowering medication called clonidine. Topic 16258 Version 15.0, November 2020. J Emerg Med. The active ingredient in eye drops such as Visine is tetrahydrozoline HCI. There is no antidote for tetryzoline or other similar imidazoline analogue poisoning, but the symptoms can be alleviated and with treatment, death is rare . DO NOT make a person throw up unless told to do so by poison control or a health care professional. Symptoms will be treated as appropriate. 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 But the agency has warned that if ingested, the chemical, and others like it that narrow blood vessels, may cause serious and life-threatening adverse events.. 35; pp. Hannah Kirby. Aronson JK. In the past two years, there have been three separate criminal cases involving Visine. "Student Accused of Poison Attempt." 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. Tetrahydrolozine may cause ocular burning, stinging, dryness, headache, insomnia, dizziness, tremors, palpitations, rebound erythema and congestion. In an online newsletter, titled Red-Eye Drops: Poisonous to Drink, Safe If Used Correctly, it said that intentionally or accidentally drinking eye drops could lead to toxic blood levels. Kelly Johnson-Arbor, MD 16 February 2002. Editorial team. "Woman Accused of Trying to Kill Husband." Tetrahydrozoline causes constriction of blood vessels when it is applied directly on the eye; this reduces eye redness. A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, for Health Content Provider (www.urac.org). Instruction Courses and Skills Transfer Labs, Program Participant and Faculty Guidelines, LEO Continuing Education Recognition Award, What Practices Are Saying About the Registry, Provider Enrollment, Chain and Ownership System (PECOS), Subspecialty/Specialized Interest Society Directory, Subspecialty/Specialized Interest Society Meetings, Minority Ophthalmology Mentoring Campaign, Global Programs and Resources for National Societies, Red-Eye Drops: Poisonous to Drink, Safe If Used Correctly, Gotas para los ojos rojos: venenosas para beber, seguras si se usan correctamente. As this ABC News segment described, he allegedly used Visine eye drops to poison and eventually kill his wife, 32-year-old Stacy Robinson Hunsucker: Per the news segment, Hunsucker and his wife had been high school sweethearts. Tetrahydrozoline is a form of a medicine called imidazoline, which is found in over-the-counter eye drops and nasal sprays. 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. Take the container with you to the hospital, if possible. It is commonly found in drops that are intended to relive irritation and get the red out. The products are safe when used as directed, by narrowing blood vessels, the Food and Drug Administration says. Sure, some causes of red eyes may be relatively benign. Wisconsin Cops Say Jessy Rose Kurczewski Poisoned Lynn Hernan - Yahoo! While poisoning symptoms are uncommon after applying the drops to the eyes, these agents can produce significant poisoning if taken orally. 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. A.D.A.M. October 1996 (Vol. Accessed June 8, 2021. Everyone who has ever been wronged has at one time or another felt the urge to strike a counterblow. Knowles H. Officials said he died in a fall. Tetrahydrozoline HCL Drops - Uses, Side Effects, and More - WebMD While poisoning symptoms are uncommon after applying the drops to the eyes, these agents can produce significant poisoning if taken orally. In young children, serious adverse events can occur from ingesting only a small amount (1 to 2 mL, or several drops) of tetrahydrozoline. WRIC-TV [Richmond]. Tetrahydrozoline is sold under the following brand names: Note: This list may not be all inclusive. These courses share the latest in medical knowledge, teach new patient-relationship skills and help providers deal with relevant current issues. 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. 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. 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. The woman, whose name is not been released, suffered from numerous different symptoms that had sent her to the hospital on two separate occasions, but doctors were struggling to diagnose her illness. . Significance of the imidazoline receptors in toxicology. In: Aronson JK, ed. The UF College of Nursing continually attracts and retains the highest caliber of nursing students and faculty with a passion for science and caring. 2018 Sep 5. Swallowing this substance can result in a number of nasty effects, including: Pfizer's cautions to users of Visine include: "If swallowed, get medical help or contact a Poison Control Center right away." Sometimes poison doesn't cause any symptoms. They will give you further instructions. A., & Brown, J. T. (2014). The UF College of Pharmacy-Jacksonville offers a four-year Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.) Internally they also induce vasoconstriction (as Toxnet calls it). Learn about UF clinical research studies that are seeking volunteers. Clonidine and topical imidazolines exposure in toddlers. Tobias, Joseph. Some individuals may have long-lasting complications if multiple organs are damaged by the drug. You should call if you have any questions about poisoning or poison prevention. Tetryzoline. UF Health scientist lands first-ever NIH grant for a rare disorder devastating UF Health joins national effort to improve patient outcomes. The person may receive: Survival past 24 hours is usually a good sign that the person will recover. Young children who consume small amounts of tetrahydrozoline (as little as one-half of one teaspoon) can develop sleepiness and difficulty breathing. Gentissi experienced vomiting and bleeding from his rectum, and Anzalone eventually agreed to a plea bargain with prosecutors under which she was ordered to pay $10,000 in hospital bills, serve three years' probation, and obey an order of protection. It is a member of the imidazole family that can serve as decongestants and vasoconstrictors. "If I had an underlying medical condition or if I had gotten a little more of the drug I could have been. There are certainly other better ways of giving someone explosive diarrhea, not that you should ever try to give someone such misery. The victim, Rudy Trabanino of Houston, became violently ill and had to be hospitalized for several days with acute pain and a variety of serious medical problems. This will help them in assessing the possible drug interactions within various medications and help avoid/prevent accidental or unintentional toxic drug effects. That's when detectives told Kurczewski about the tetrahydrozoline the . "Chills, sweats, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea. Eye Doctor Investigates "The Visine Killer" | Death By Tetrahydrozoline The following information is helpful for emergency assistance: However, DO NOT delay calling for help if this information is not immediately available. It may be mild in some and severe in others. (Photo by Sylvain Gaboury/FilmMagic). Her husband, Stephen Clayton, ended up passing away after three days. DO NOT use it to treat or manage an actual poison exposure. If needed, administer mouth-to-mouth resuscitation and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). The. Tetrahydrozoline poisoning occurs when someone accidentally or intentionally swallows this product. In general, be careful about using such eye drops, even if they go where they are supposed to go. She was hospitalized with a multitude of symptoms, but fortunately survived. It was a popular one with the ancient Greeks, who used it to kill off their prisoners. Loosen tight clothing such as a collar, tie, belt or waistband. More than 1,600 cases of oral exposures are reported to United States poison centers annually (1,2). Tetryzoline: Uses, Interactions, Mechanism of Action - DrugBank 25.1K subscribers Lana Sue Clayton used Visine eye drops to poison her husband, Steven Clayton. Together we teach. When a bottle of product containing imidazolines is chewed, it can result in severe poisoning in pets - even death, when untreated. Tetrahydrozoline poisoning: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia Vanderhart, Dirk. Lowry, J. Stars and Stripes. Snopes and the Snopes.com logo are registered service marks of Snopes.com. Pl drop the argument as it. . Just look at some recent eye dropping news. Jennings was arrested last November after her stepmother saw a Web search history related to Visine poisonings on a computer at the house and became suspicious, The Casper Star Tribune reported. She had suffered from PTSD attributed to domestic abuse, he said. For additional information visit Linking to and Using Content from MedlinePlus. Reports of significant toxicity from tetrahydrozoline ingestion are unusual but have occured primarily in small children after unintentional ingestion (3-63, 6). It would be helpful if the following information is readily available: Type, dosage and time of administration of medication, And, the overall health status of the individual. It could be from seasonal allergies, being tired, or smoking marijuana, for example. Visine overdose: case report of an adult with hemodynamic - PubMed Ranked among the top schools of pharmacy nationally, the college supports research, service and educational programs enhanced with online technologies. J Emerg Med. How much visine will kill you | HealthTap Online Doctor