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. While poisoning symptoms are uncommon after applying the drops to the eyes, these agents can produce significant poisoning if taken orally. 35; pp. Some common symptoms that might point to a poisoning include: Nausea and . Topic 16258 Version 15.0, November 2020. 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. They will give you further instructions. 16 September 2008. Waltham, MA: Elsevier; 2016:793. Automobile fluids. A North Carolina paramedic allegedly murdered his wife by poisoning her with Visine. The sample showed a high amount of chemical from the eye drops. 1 August 1998 (p. 373). Visine is clearly labeled for external use only and should never be swallowed.. 7 September 1997 (p. A32). UpToDate.Topic 16258 Version 15.0, November 2020. 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. King World Productions Inc. 2023 Inside Edition Inc. and CBS interactive Inc., Paramount companies. But most importantly dont put Visine eye drops in someones drink. DrugFacilitated Sexual Assault Using Tetrahydrozoline. The desire for revenge runs deep in all of us. 1 July 2014. We report a case of unintentional tetrahydrozoline ingestion with cardiovascular . 's editorial policy editorial process and privacy policy. The following information is helpful for emergency assistance: However, DO NOT delay calling for help if this information is not immediately available. The health care provider will measure and monitor the person's vital signs, including temperature, pulse, breathing rate, and blood pressure. This medicine may be used for other purposes; ask your health care provider or pharmacist if you have questions. The Houston Chronicle. She had suffered from PTSD attributed to domestic abuse, he said. A., & Brown, J. T. (2014). Because of their small size, even a dose as low as 1 to 2 milliliters may be toxic to children, according to the FDA website.. 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. DO NOT make a person throw up unless told to do so by poison control or a health care professional. Young children who consume small amounts of tetrahydrozoline (as little as one-half of one teaspoon) can develop sleepiness and difficulty breathing. All local poison control centers in the United States use this national number. We offer a a four-year Doctor of Veterinary Medicine programs as well as M.S. North County Gazette. 13 March 2013. His wife claimed he had succumbed to a fatal fall. , updated This would be considered. Waltham, MA: Elsevier; 2016:793. The resulting symptoms are nothing, nothing at all like the Hollywood version of events. "Chills, sweats, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea. In: Aronson JK, ed. If it is established that a person is a regular drug user, then raise the number of milligrams for MLD by 33%. 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. Dont crash weddings to hook up with strangers. DO NOT use it to treat or manage an actual poison exposure. Keep in mind that such eye drops primarily help with your appearance but do not necessarily address whats actually causing the redness. Take the container with you to the hospital, if possible. Clinical rotations in all the major disciplines are provided for UFCOM undergraduate medical students and elective rotations to students from other accredited schools. Find patient medical information for tetrahydrozoline ophthalmic (eye) on WebMD including its uses, side effects and safety, interactions, pictures, warnings and user ratings. The danger is real, and parents are well advised to keep eye drops away from children. A few drops of Visine brand eye drops taken internally will induce uncontrollable diarrhea. We are no longer accepting comments on this article. Journal of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, 29(1), 80-92. One thing tetrahydrozoline has not been known to do is to cause sudden onset bouts of severe diarrhea. I never thought it would kill him.. 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. This national hotline will let you talk to experts in poisoning. 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. Not your mouth or other orifices. The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. Steve and Lana Clayton lived . Ms. 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. While poisoning symptoms are uncommon after applying the drops to the eyes, these agents can produce significant poisoning if taken orally. Accessed June 8, 2021. 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. (2013). "Woman Charged with Assault by Visine Eye Drops." You should call if you have any questions about poisoning or poison prevention. Examples of brands that may contain tetrahydrozoline or related compounds include Visine, Clear Eyes, and Murine. The chemical can also cause tremors and seizures." It appears the recent Visine poisoning in California was not intended to be fatal, but experts also warn that the common prank can turn deadly. Teenagers and adults who drink larger amounts may also experience heart rhythm abnormalities and breathing problems that can be life-threatening. ", In June 2009, Denise Moyer of Wells, Vermont, was arrested for third degree assault after police confirmed she'd spiked a. The UF College of Nursing continually attracts and retains the highest caliber of nursing students and faculty with a passion for science and caring. Over a three-day period in 2018, a woman in South Carolina secretly added enough eye drops to her husbands water for the active ingredient in the medicine to kill him, according to court filings and officials. Take the container with you to the hospital, if possible. A typical bottle of eye drops contains anywhere from 15 to 30 milliliters of solution. Tetrahydrozoline is a chemical thats in many of these drops. 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. In our patient there was an initial hypertension and bradycardia, followed by a persistent orthostatic hypotension. A 19-year-old Wyoming woman accused of poisoning her stepmother with eye drops has pleaded no contest to an aggravated assault charge. Get ophthalmologist-reviewed tips and information about eye health and preserving your vision. Scared of Eye Drops? 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). There it can get the drop on you and slow your heart rate and lower your blood pressure to dangerous levels. For additional information visit Linking to and Using Content from MedlinePlus. 52, No. We report a case of unintentional . URAC's accreditation program is an independent audit to verify that A.D.A.M. Its use in greater than recommended doses may cause hypertension, bradycardia, rebound hypotension, and possibly arrhythmias. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, for Health Content Provider (www.urac.org). Aronson JK. Paksu, M. S., Paksu, S., Akkus, T., & Baysal, K. (2012). One drop can be beneficial, one swig can be deadly: tetrahydrozoline intoxication.