Tetrahydrozoline, a derivative of imidazoline, is widely used for the symptomatic relief of conjunctival and nasal congestion; however, intentional or unintentional high doses can result in toxicity manifested by hypotension, tachycardia, and CNS depression. 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. Constricting blood vessels in your eyes is how they get the red out.. 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. Both options are free, expert, and confidential. Otherwise, theyd be called other orifice drops. They are also called drops and not buckets because you are only supposed to use limited amounts. This page was last edited on 6 February 2023, at 16:47 (UTC). General approach to drug poisoning in adults. Imidazolines (like oxymetazoline and tetrahydrozoline) are commonly found in over-the-counter eye drops and nasal sprays. You can thank tetrahydrozoline for helping do this. Visine is clearly labeled for external use only and should never be swallowed.. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Tetrahydrozoline poisoning occurs when someone accidentally or intentionally swallows this product. Examples of brands that may contain tetrahydrozoline or related compounds include Visine, Clear Eyes, and Murine. ; Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0; additional terms may . 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. Using tetrahydrozoline (active ingredient in Visine) on the surface of the eye has been demonstrated to be safe for self-use for more than 50 years. Automobile fluids. General information: Symptoms of poisoning may even occur after several hours; therefore medical observation for at least 48 hours after the accident. Tetrahydrozoline is a form of a medicine called imidazoline, which is found in over-the-counter eye drops and nasal sprays. He was found dead in the homeon July 21. I felt awful," she told Inside Edition. The resulting symptoms are nothing, nothing at all like the Hollywood version of events. She was a manager at Pizza Hut in 2011, when a disgruntled co-worker spiked her soda with eye drops. Always use eyedrops and decongestant sprays according to the package label; never drink these products. The chemical in eye drops, tetrahydrozoline, works great on the eyes, but if swallowed in significant quantities, it can attack the nervous system and be deadly. This is a free and confidential service. In addition to death, ingesting tetrahydrozoline can cause "drowsiness, slow breathing or absence of breathing, slow heartbeat, hypothermia and possibly even coma." After his wife's death,. [Milwaukee] Journal Sentinel. In Clinical Toxicology (Vol. 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 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. When consumed orally, tetrahydrozoline passes quickly through the gastrointestinal tract, rapidly reaching the blood and the central nervous system, the article said. Others in the class who saw the act removed the adulterated beverage before the intended victim could drink it. The active ingredient in eye drops such as Visine is tetrahydrozoline HCI. October 1996 (Vol. On Thursday, Lana Sue Clayton was sentenced to 25-years in prison for voluntary manslaughter. The active ingredient in Visine eye drops is Tetrahydrozoline HCl 0.05%. "Urban Legend Almost Kills Dad." Death comes in the form of paralysis-your mind is wide awake, but . Are one or two dangerous? The poisonous effect made headlines when Lana Clayton, 52, wascharged for murdering her husband by adding redness-relieving eye drops to his drinking water for three days. Apparently, her death had a sweetheart of an insurance pay-out: $250,000. Al-Abri, S. A., Yang, H. S., & Olson, K. R. (2014). 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. Such imaginings give us the chance to vicariously experience the joys of retribution, joys we're not likely to sample in real life, such as the following: I've heard that barmaids and cocktail waitresses have a secret for getting rid of obnoxious customers. Tetrahydrozoline poisoning occurs when someone accidentally or intentionally swallows this product. If you suspect someone has ingested tetrahydrozoline, do not try to make the person vomit it back up as that may actually increase their absorption of the chemical. In young children, serious adverse events can occur from ingesting only a small amount (1 to 2 mL, or several drops) of tetrahydrozoline. Symptoms of Imidazoline Poisoning in Dogs The amount of imidazoline your dog ingested will determine the severity of the symptoms and how quickly they manifest. In 2012, 56-year-old Byron Shull spiked the milk of his 84-year-old father with Visine drops "because he thought his dad was mean and wanted to make him pay." In: Burns MM, ed. "Woman Charged with Assault by Visine Eye Drops." Flynn, George. Learn how we can help. Stop using such eye drops and call your doctor if you experience any other eye symptoms such as pain, changes in vision, pupil dilation, or excessively watery eyes when you are not watching the movie The Notebook. However, make sure that the redness is not from something more serious like a bad allergic reaction, an infection, glaucoma, or a harpoon. It reduces redness in the eye caused by minor eye irritations. Topic 16258 Version 15.0, November 2020. A 19-year-old Wyoming woman accused of poisoning her stepmother with eye drops has pleaded no contest to an aggravated assault charge. In a scene from the 2005 movie Wedding Crashers, Owen Wilsons character adds eye drops to another characters drink with the intent of causing gastrointestinal discomfort and diarrhea. "Visine Prank Leads to Day in Court." The danger is real, and parents are well advised to keep eye drops away from children. Woman Used Eye Drops to Kill Husband, Court Says, https://www.nytimes.com/2020/01/17/us/visine-eye-drop-poisoning.html. You should call if you have any questions about poisoning or poison prevention. But most importantly dont put Visine eye drops in someones drink. Its use in greater than recommended doses may cause hypertension, bradycardia, rebound hypotension, and possibly arrhythmias. The Houston Chronicle. 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. The comments below have not been moderated, Tragedy as high school track athlete dies after being hit by a discus during competition, Father and daughter plunge hand-in-hand to their deaths from bridge while holding their pet Chihuahua, Ken Bruce finishes his 30-year tenure as host of BBC Radio 2, Insane moment river of rocks falls onto Malibu Canyon in CA, Pavement where disabled woman gestured at cyclist before fatal crash, Pro-Ukrainian drone lands on Russian spy planes exposing location, 'Buster is next!' The smaller the body size, the less thats needed to cause major problems and even be life threatening. DO NOT use it to treat or manage an actual poison exposure. Visit MyUFHealth to get an estimate for your cost for the most common medical procedures. 20:09 GMT 22 Mar 2013. Eventually, the 35-year-old Hunsucker was arrested on December 19, 2019, and also charged with first degree murder. Her husband, Stephen Clayton, ended up passing away after three days. Eye drops designed to treat rednessare not intended to be consumed orally. 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. More than 100 of these products contain an ingredient, tetrahydrozoline, that is similar to a commonly used blood pressure-lowering medication called clonidine. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. Waltham, MA: Elsevier; 2016:793. 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. 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. Call poison control and get emergency care as soon as possible. "Crater Lake Worker Called Visine Poisoning a 'Harmless Prank.' In young children, serious adverse events can occur from ingesting only a small amount (1 to 2 mL, or several drops) of tetrahydrozoline. Clinical Pediatrics. You should call if you have any questions about poisoning or poison prevention. Generic Name Tetryzoline DrugBank Accession Number DB06764 Background. An addiction and pain medicine Nondiscrimination and Accessibility Notice, 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). I will drop in updates here accordingly. Symptoms of an overdose include drowsiness, slow breathing or absence of breathing, slow heartbeat, hypothermia and possibly even coma, it said. The victim spent several days in the hospital recovering from reactions to the poisoning that included a dangerously low heart rate and blood pressure. The throat may feel tight and hoarse. [Medford, OR] Mail Tribune. Nunnally, Derrick. There is no antidote for tetryzoline or other similar imidazoline analogue poisoning, but the symptoms can be alleviated and with treatment, death is rare . 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 Patient Centered Medicine. "Man Allegedly Poisons Woman with Visine Eye Drops." Topic 16258 Version 15.0, November 2020. 's editorial policy editorial process and privacy policy. Tetryzoline (also known as tetrahydrozoline) is a drug used in some over-the-counter eye drops and nasal sprays. You could kill the person. Always read the label before using any over-the-counter (OTC) product. With such severe and potentially deadly risks, it is just not worth the squeeze. "Generally, symptoms can occur in as little as one hour, peaking at eight hours, and resolving . Keep in mind that such eye drops primarily help with your appearance but do not necessarily address whats actually causing the redness. If you stay within these limits, your risk of bad toxicity may be relatively low. Lasala, G. S., Vearrier, D., Boroughf, W. J., & Osterhoudt, K. C. (2014, August). J Emerg Med. 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. You could kill the person. Seek medical help right away. While poisoning symptoms are uncommon after applying the drops to the eyes, these agents can produce significant poisoning if taken orally. Reports of significant toxicity from tetrahydrozoline ingestion are unusual but have occured primarily in small children after unintentional ingestion (3-63, 6). Tetrahydrozoline is sold under the following brand names: Note: This list may not be all inclusive. It then grabs onto the surface of your cat's red blood cells in the spots normally used to carry oxygen to the tissues. This article is for information only. Standard operative procedures and auditing for poisoning cases in India. "Student Accused of Poison Attempt." Then theres the case of Joshua Lee Hunsucker, a former paramedic in North Carolina, whos been charged with first degree murder, as described by Mark Price for the Charlotte Observer. Dont say that people use only 10% of their hearts when you reveal only 10% of your true identity. 1-800-222-1222 For additional information visit Linking to and Using Content from MedlinePlus. This material may not be reproduced without permission. The following information is helpful for emergency assistance: However, DO NOT delay calling for help if this information is not immediately available. 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. "Woman Ordered to Pay Poisoned Roommate's Hospital Bill." 16th ed. You can call for any reason, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Internally they also induce vasoconstriction (as Toxnet calls it). It does NOT need to be an emergency. Tetrahydrozoline poisoning Tetrahydrozoline is a form of a medicine called imidazoline, which is found in over-the-counter eye drops and nasal sprays. "Severe Nausea and Vomiting with Timolol Eye Drops." 15 February 2013. Yin S. Over-the-counter cough and cold preparations: Approach to pediatric poisoning. 16 September 2008. There it can get. 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 . 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 16th ed. Some individuals may have long-lasting complications if multiple organs are damaged by the drug. Givens, Ann. The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. They said they are "shocked and mortified by the cause of Steven's death All our family and friends know how much he loved his wife and how devoted he was to her. , the 53-year-old Clayton pled guilty tovoluntary manslaughter and tampering with a food or drug after she admitted togiving her husband Steven Clayton drinks laced with Visine.. Seek medical help right away. Symptoms of an overdose of tetrahydrozoline include drowsiness, slow breathing or absence of breathing, slow heartbeat, hypothermia and possibly even coma. Tetryzoline is found in a wide array of over-the-counter . Founded in 1956, the University of Florida College of Nursing is the premier educational institution for nursing in the state of Florida and is ranked in the top 10 percent of all nursing graduate programs nationwide. The defendant initially pleaded not guilty to the charge, but had a change of heart this week. WPVI-TV [Philadelphia]. The Houston Chronicle. We present a case of tetrahydrozoline ingestion in an adult who presented with chest pain, bradycardia, mental status depression, miosis, and other signs and symptoms of imidazole compound poisoning. The UF College of Veterinary Medicine is Florida's only veterinary college and provides many unique educational programs for students and services aimed at helping pets, wildlife and endangered species. The sample showed a high amount of chemical from the eye drops. While the end result of this prank created a funny and memorable dinner party scene, the poisonous effects of eye drops are much more serious in real life. Tips for Anxious Kids and Adults. 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. Clonidine, an alpha-2 adrenergic agonist, is a biochemical derivative of imidazoline that was initially introduced as a topical nasal decongestant over 40 years ago [ 1 ]. Sure, some causes of red eyes may be relatively benign. Last month the American Academy of Ophthalmology used the Clayton case to point out the potential dangers in the misuse of the blood vessel constrictors. Take the container with you to the hospital, if possible. (2016). . Then, they were forced to leave a bar by the person who posioned them. Alpha-2 Adrenergic and Imidazoline Receptor Agonists: Clonidine, Dexmedetomidine, and Related Antihypertensives, Decongestants, and Sedatives. The imidazoline derivatives, oxymetazoline, xylometazoline, tetrahydrozoline, and naphazoline, are found in topical ophthalmic and nasal decongestants available OTC.They are generally used as topical vasoconstrictors in the nose and eyes for temporary relief of nasal congestion due to colds, hay fever or other upper respiratory allergies, or sinusitis. To do their thing, such eye drops should go into your, you guessed it, eyes. 2018 Sep 5. Investigators have said Jennings wanted her stepmother dead because the teen told the woman she had molested a young girl, and the stepmother revealed the secret to Jennings' then-boyfriend. Subsequently, clonidine has been primarily utilized for its potent antihypertensive effect, but is used on- and off-label for a wide variety of indications. Kelly Johnson-Arbor, MD Tetrahydrozoline or tetryzoline is an alpha agonist (substances that help blood vessel constriction) found in certain eye drops and nasal solutions. Mills said she wanted her boyfriend to pay more attention to her. The symptoms of a suspected poisoning may vary depending on the person's age, the type of poisonous substance, the amount of poison involved, and how much time has passed since the poisoning occurred. Symptoms Symptoms may include: Altered mental state Coma (lack of responsiveness) Difficulty breathing or no breathing Blurred vision Blue lips and fingernails It does NOT need to be an emergency. The cause of death was listed as tetrahydrozoline poisoning and classified as a homicide, not suicide or an accident. 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. Tetrahydrozoline is sold under the following brand names: Note: This list may not be all inclusive. 1 July 2014. As the two cases demonstrated, even relatively small amounts can be toxic. Vaso stands for vessel as in blood vessel and constrictor means make more narrow. When blood vessels become more narrow, less blood can flow through them.