Your membership is the foundation of our sustainability and resilience. Eye drops like Visine, Murine Plus,and Clarine are marketed as ways for you to get the red out of your eyes. Read More. URL of this page: //medlineplus.gov/ency/article/002590.htm. Journal of forensic sciences, 57(3), 835-838. It does NOT need to be an emergency. Not your mouth or other orifices. 's editorial policy editorial process and privacy policy. [New York] Newsday. Its a different story if eye drops go down your mouth. UpToDate. She killed him with eye drops. Knowles H. Officials said he died in a fall. As the two cases demonstrated, even relatively small amounts can be toxic. follows rigorous standards of quality and accountability. , updated UpToDate. Internally they also induce vasoconstriction (as Toxnet calls it). Loosen tight clothing such as a collar, tie, belt or waistband. According to Michael Banks, reporting for the Shelby Star, Hunsucker had resisted an autopsy being done before his wifes body was cremated. FDA Drug Safety Communication: Serious adverse events from accidental Ex-EMT Accused of Poisoning Wife With Eye Drops, Starting - Newsweek Together we teach. 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. 16th ed. "Woman Charged with Assault by Visine Eye Drops." Frequent numbness, tingling or a pins-and-needles sensation, usually in the hands. Tetryzoline: Uses, Interactions, Mechanism of Action - DrugBank Tetrahydrozoline poisoning - ADAM A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, for Health Content Provider (www.urac.org). A typical bottle of eye drops contains anywhere from 15 to 30 milliliters of solution. Police say she poisoned him- with eye drops. In: Aronson JK, ed. A few drops of Visine brand eye drops taken internally will induce uncontrollable diarrhea. New York Eye and Ear Infirmary of Mount Sinai, The Blavatnik Family Chelsea Medical Center, Heart - Cardiology and Cardiovascular Surgery, Mount Sinai Center for Asian Equity and Professional Development, Preparing for Surgery and Major Procedures, 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). 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. "Chills, sweats, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea. The former Veterans Affairs nurse and South Carolina resident had pleaded guilty of putting Visine eye drops in her husbands drink. International Society of Refractive Surgery. That same month, an autopsy by Waukesha County Medical Examiner Linda Biedrzycki showed that Hernan had a fatal dose of tetrahydrozolinethe main ingredient in over-the-counter eye dropsin her system. There it can get. How Visine Eye Drops In The Mouth Can Kill, Here Are Two Cases - Forbes These courses share the latest in medical knowledge, teach new patient-relationship skills and help providers deal with relevant current issues. Swallowing this substance can result in a number of nasty effects, including: Lowering body temperature to dangerous levels It is a member of the imidazole family that can serve as decongestants and vasoconstrictors. Included in the symptoms are vomiting, blurred vision, rapid heartbeat, and difficulty breathing. "Central Nervous System Depression Following Accidental Ingestion of Visine Eye Drops." Topic 16258 Version 15.0, November 2020. Take the container with you to the hospital, if possible. Arkansas woman allegedly tried to poison husband with eye drops Clayton, you sure have tangled this one up, he said. Foreign objects like batteries and toys. Tetrahydrozoline hydrochloride | C13H17ClN2 - PubChem Jennings s is being held on $25,000 bond and will be sentenced at a later date. The girl later told police that she got the idea to use the eye drops as poison from an unrelated news story. You can call for any reason, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Tetrahydrozoline causes constriction of blood vessels when it is applied directly on the eye; this reduces eye redness. The active ingredient in Visine eye drops is Tetrahydrozoline HCl 0.05%. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. 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. 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 It's easy to see that ingesting it is in fact poisoning. Eventually, the 35-year-old Hunsucker was arrested on December 19, 2019, and also charged with first degree murder. Hannah Kirby. 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. Common Symptoms of Low Grade Arsenic Toxicity. This article is for information only. The following information is helpful for emergency assistance: However, DO NOT delay calling for help if this information is not immediately available. When consumed orally, tetrahydrozoline passes quickly through the gastrointestinal tract, rapidly reaching the blood and the central nervous system. 2020 Jan 17. "Urban Legend Almost Kills Dad." 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. Aronson JK. You Can't Believe Everything You Read | CEUfast.com Blog The main systemic effects are . University of Florida Health knows how important ongoing medical learning is to health care providers and the community. Tetrahydrozoline hydrochloride | C13H17ClN2 | CID 10648 - structure, chemical names, physical and chemical properties, classification, patents, literature, biological . The UF College of Nursing continually attracts and retains the highest caliber of nursing students and faculty with a passion for science and caring. Scared of Eye Drops? Fact or Fiction: Will Visine in a Drink Cause Diahhrea? Alexis Jennings, of Natrona County, entered the plea Thursday . Even a small ingestion can cause clinical signs of vomiting, lethargy/depression or . Woman Used Eye Drops to Kill Husband, Court Says, https://www.nytimes.com/2020/01/17/us/visine-eye-drop-poisoning.html. 1995 - 2023 by Snopes Media Group Inc. Visine - Wikipedia It was a popular one with the ancient Greeks, who used it to kill off their prisoners. 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 Meyler's Side Effects of Drugs. There are certainly other better ways of giving someone explosive diarrhea, not that you should ever try to give someone such misery. 7 October 2019. PDF Page 1/8 Safety Data Sheet - Cayman Chem All medications can have side effects. Clinical rotations in all the major disciplines are provided for UFCOM undergraduate medical students and elective rotations to students from other accredited schools. 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. That is why we provide online Continuing Medical Education (CME) courses for you to complete for CME credits. All Rights Reserved. Its use in greater than recommended doses may cause hypertension, bradycardia, rebound hypotension, and possibly arrhythmias. Just look at some recent eye dropping news. 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. Alcohol. DO NOT use it to treat or manage an actual poison exposure. Swallowing Eye Drops is Dangerous! - Poison state Department of Insurance said when announcing his arrest last month. Products containing tetrahydrozoline can interact with many prescription drugs. 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. Poison Control Lana Sue Clayton in a 2018 booking photo. Size of the individual and the total dose are the most critical issues for causing harm, and so children are most at risk, said Wiley Chambers, MD, an ophthalmologist with the Center for Drug Evaluation and Research at the FDA. Tetrahydrozoline poisoning occurs when someone accidentally or intentionally swallows this product. UF Health Neuromedicine Neuromedicine Hospital, College of Public Health & Health Professions, Clinical and Translational Science Institute, Center for Health Equity & Quality Research, Find Information on Medical Conditions & Services, College of Public Health & Health Professions (PHHP), Clinical & Translational Science Institute. When consumed orally, tetrahydrozoline passes quickly through the gastrointestinal tract, rapidly reaching the blood and the central nervous system, the article said. 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. Copyright 1997-2023, A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited without authorization. Many of these types of OTC products do not have child-resistant closures, so they should be stored out of the reach of children. Forbes. A North Carolina paramedic allegedly murdered his wife by poisoning her with Visine. 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. Flynn, George. (2013). Tetrahydrozoline ophthalmic drops | Cleveland Clinic Some individuals may have long-lasting complications if multiple organs are damaged by the drug. Symptoms Symptoms may include: Altered mental state Coma (lack of responsiveness) Difficulty breathing or no breathing Blurred vision Blue lips and fingernails You can thank tetrahydrozoline for helping do this. Meyler's Side Effects of Drugs. Steve and Lana Clayton lived . "Chills, sweats, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea. Young children who consume small amounts of tetrahydrozoline (as little as one-half of one teaspoon) can develop sleepiness and difficulty breathing. Tetryzoline (also known as tetrahydrozoline) is a drug used in some over-the-counter eye drops and nasal sprays. General approach to drug poisoning in adults. Eye drops go in your eyes. Approved by: Krish Tangella MD, MBA, FCAP. Learn about UF clinical research studies that are seeking volunteers. Eye Drops in Drink | HealthGuidance.org 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). Swenson K. His wife said he died falling down the stairs. A woman in Waukesha County, Wisconsin, was charged with first-degree murder in the poisoning death of a friend, and authorities believe she used eye drops to carry out the crime. The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. 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. The UF College of Pharmacy-Jacksonville offers a four-year Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.) The chemical is found in Visine, Murine Plus, Altazine, Clarine and some other over-the-counter eye drops, according to Drugs.com. In view of the above list, that advice should not be taken lightly. Drinking it can (and has) caused severe depression of the central nervous system. With such severe and potentially deadly risks, it is just not worth the squeeze. "Adams County Woman Accused of Poisoning Her Two Children with Visine." A 19-year-old Wyoming woman accused of poisoning her stepmother with eye drops has pleaded no contest to an aggravated assault charge. Paramedic accused of killing wife by poisoning her with - New York Post Waltham, MA: Elsevier; 2016:793. Call 911 right away if the individual collapses, has a seizure, has trouble breathing, or can't be awakened. The Slow Attack: Symptoms of Low-Grade Arsenic Poisoning 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. Wahi, M. M., Stone, K. V., Chance, M., & Miller, C. E. (2017). 52 VANDERBILT AVE, NEW YORK, NY 10017 USA: INFORMA HEALTHCARE. The sample showed a high amount of chemical from the eye drops. 16th ed. When any ingestion is accompanied by ETOH (ethyl alcohol), it increases the toxicity level by approx 50%. She admitted to administering the poison to him from July 19 through July 21, 2018, an arrest warrant says. Fifty-three cases reported hospitalization due to symptoms including nausea, vomiting, lethargy, tachycardia, decreased respiration, bradycardia, hypotension, hypertension, sedation, somnolence,. Paksu, M. S., Paksu, S., Akkus, T., & Baysal, K. (2012). Journal of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, 29(1), 80-92. You could kill the person. 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. A 19-year-old Wyoming woman accused of poisoning her stepmother with eye drops has pleaded no contest to an aggravated assault charge. 7, pp. The Houston Chronicle. A., & Brown, J. T. (2014). To avoid mishap one probably ought to take 150% the minimum lethal dose. 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. Contact Poison Control right away if you suspect a poisoning. The health care provider will measure and monitor the person's vital signs, including temperature, pulse, breathing rate, and blood pressure. 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. A lawyer for Mr. Hunsucker, David Teddy, did not immediately return a telephone call seeking comment on Friday. If swallowed,the medication can cause illness and even death. 9 January 2009. 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. There it can get the drop on you and slow your heart rate and lower your blood pressure to dangerous levels. Ms. Clayton had originally been charged with murder after her arrest in August 2018, the arrest warrant said. Clayton's family released a statement on the allegations against his wife. InTech. Constricting blood vessels in your eyes is how they get the red out.. 2004 Oct;27(3):313-4. In general, overdoses are common situations in the emergency departments. In October 2003, an unnamed Southern California high school student put eye drops in teacher's water bottle in an attempt to give his instructor severe diarrhea. But most importantly dont put Visine eye drops in someones drink. Tetrahydrozoline poisoning occurs when someone accidentally or intentionally swallows this product. The active ingredient in Visine eye drops is Tetrahydrozoline HCI 0.05%. 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. The resulting symptoms are nothing, nothing at all like the Hollywood version of events. "Grocer Settles Suit Out of Court." 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. The products contain the active ingredients tetrahydrozoline, naphazoline, or oxymetazoline. (Photo [+] by Roberto Machado Noa/LightRocket via Getty Images).