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. 13 March 2013. 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. 4 Available since the 1950s, tetryzoline is a selective 1-receptor agonist 5 that is used as an ocular and nasal decongestant. The danger is real, and parents are well advised to keep eye drops away from children. Learn about UF clinical research studies that are seeking volunteers. Some individuals may have long-lasting complications if multiple organs are damaged by the drug. 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. North County Gazette. Drinking it can (and has) caused severe depression of the central nervous system. 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. DrugFacilitated Sexual Assault Using Tetrahydrozoline. By now, most people know that Tylenol (acetaminophen) will KILL cats. This page was last edited on 6 February 2023, at 16:47 (UTC). 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.. When consumed by mouth, they may result in serious toxicity and even death. by Roberto Machado Noa/LightRocket via Getty Images). 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). Dont do what the Owen Wilson character did in the movie Wedding Crashers. It does NOT need to be an emergency. You should call if you have any questions about poisoning or poison prevention. Aronson JK. Snopes and the Snopes.com logo are registered service marks of Snopes.com. According to police, Unger confessed to poisoning her 3-year-old son by putting Visine in his water bottle and juice bottle (the boy was hospitalized several times but survived) and also causing her 1-year-old son to fall ill when he accidentally consumed the poisoned drinks she had made for his brother. WPVI-TV [Philadelphia]. Are one or two dangerous? Take the container with you to the hospital, if possible. She killed him with eye drops. 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. Find patient medical information for tetrahydrozoline ophthalmic (eye) on WebMD including its uses, side effects and safety, interactions, pictures, warnings and user ratings.
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. The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A majority of the cases are often not fatal, when appropriate treatment is given. Over-the-counter eyedrops and decongestant sprays are frequently used to treat upper respiratory congestion and irritated, red eyes. 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. The sample showed a high amount of chemical from the eye drops. The stepmother was hospitalized twice with various ailments. Dont do most things that he did. 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. More than 100 of these products contain an ingredient, tetrahydrozoline, that is similar to a commonly used blood pressure-lowering medication called clonidine. state Department of Insurance said when announcing his arrest last month. One of her public defenders, Bryson J. Barrowclough, said in a telephone interview on Friday that Ms. Clayton had testified that she had put only one dose in his water and then tried to kill herself. 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The chemical is found in Visine, Murine Plus, Altazine, Clarine and some other over-the-counter eye drops, according to Drugs.com. 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. It is a member of the imidazole family that can serve as decongestants and vasoconstrictors. InTech. Stars and Stripes. Also in June 2006, Kristine Anzalone served her roommate, Joseph Gentissi Jr., an iced tea spiked with Visine. Swenson K. His wife said he died falling down the stairs. Hemlock or Conium is a highly toxic flowering plant indigenous to Europe and South Africa. The health care provider will measure and monitor the person's vital signs, including temperature, pulse, breathing rate, and blood pressure. Tetrahydrozoline is a form of a medicine called imidazoline, which is found in over-the-counter eye drops and nasal sprays. If the victim is not breathing, perform mouth-to-mouth resuscitation. 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 Reviewed by: Jacob L. Heller, MD, MHA, Emergency Medicine, Emeritus, Virginia Mason Medical Center, Seattle, WA. Such interactions may enhance the therapeutic effects of the drug or other medications being taken, resulting in undesired side effects (such as an overdose). is among the first to achieve this important distinction for online health information and services. 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. In Patient Centered Medicine. 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." 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. In general, dont use The Wedding Crashers as a model for your behavior. "Woman Ordered to Pay Poisoned Roommate's Hospital Bill." Patient-Centered Medicine and Prevention of Munchausen Syndrome by Proxy. "Generally, symptoms can occur in as little as one hour, peaking at eight hours, and resolving . Tomassoni, A. J. I am a writer, journalist, professor, systems modeler, computational and digital health expert, avocado-eater, and entrepreneur, not always in that order. It's easy to see that ingesting it is in fact poisoning. Sinoatrial node arrest following tetrahydrozoline ingestion. Tetrahydrozoline is a form of a medicine called imidazoline, which is found in over-the-counter eye drops and nasal sprays. Tetrahydrozoline poisoning occurs when someone accidentally or intentionally swallows this product. One drop can be beneficial, one swig can be deadly: tetrahydrozoline intoxication. "Crater Lake Worker Called Visine Poisoning a 'Harmless Prank.' Bongioanni, Carlos. 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. The defendant initially pleaded not guilty to the charge, but had a change of heart this week. A typical bottle of eye drops contains anywhere from 15 to 30 milliliters of solution. Eddy O, Howell JM. 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. Can you combine glaucoma drops to eliminate need for two doses? 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. This article is for information only. This is a free and confidential service. Swallowing this substance can result in a number of nasty effects, including: Coma Difficulty breathing or no breathing Blurred vision, change in pupil size Blue lips and fingernails Fast or slow heartbeat, changes in blood pressure (high at first, low later) Headache Spiller, H. A., & Siewert, D. J. Many of these types of OTC products do not have child-resistant closures, so they should be stored out of the reach of children. Medical Toxicology Physician, Call
The active ingredient in eye drops such as Visine is tetrahydrozoline HCI. Exposure is common in young children, who unintentionally ingest it, but cases have been rising in the adult population. Sure, some causes of red eyes may be relatively benign. This national hotline will let you talk to experts in poisoning. Eventually, the 35-year-old Hunsucker was arrested on December 19, 2019, and also charged with first degree murder. Seek immediate medical attention.. This symptom is a precursor to difficulty speaking. 2018 Sep 5. UpToDate. 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. Clayton, you sure have tangled this one up, he said. 16th ed. (2012). Symptoms of an overdose include drowsiness, slow breathing or absence of breathing, slow heartbeat, hypothermia and possibly even coma, it said. In young children, serious adverse events can occur from ingesting only a small amount (1 to 2 mL, or several drops) of tetrahydrozoline. Cats given Tylenol die a slow and painful death as their cells . Mills said she wanted her boyfriend to pay more attention to her. Teenagers and adults who drink larger amounts may also experience heart rhythm abnormalities and breathing problems that can be life-threatening. Always read the label before using any over-the-counter (OTC) product. Lowry, J. When consumed orally, tetrahydrozoline passes quickly through the gastrointestinal tract, rapidly reaching the blood and the central nervous system, the article said. Springfield News-Leader. There are approximately 130 cases of tetrahydrozoline exposure reported each year to the online poison control toolwebPOISONCONTROL. You can thank tetrahydrozoline for helping do this. Visine 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. For example, if the redness is actually blood gushing out of your eyeballs, dont just put Visine on them. . Anyone can read what you share. They will give you further instructions. 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 Tetrahydrozoline or tetryzoline is an alpha agonist (substances that help blood vessel constriction) found in certain eye drops and nasal solutions, It is an over-the-counter medication that is commonly used for children and adults. 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. Fifty-three cases reported hospitalization due to symptoms including nausea, vomiting, lethargy, tachycardia, decreased respiration, bradycardia, hypotension, hypertension, sedation, somnolence,. While poisoning symptoms are uncommon after applying the drops to the eyes, these agents can produce significant poisoning if taken orally. I never thought it would kill him.. "Grocer Settles Suit Out of Court." Call 911 right away if the individual collapses, has a seizure, has trouble breathing, or can't be awakened. Unintentional pediatric ophthalmic tetrahydrozoline ingestion: case files of the medical toxicology fellowship at the University of California, San Francisco. Always use eyedrops and decongestant sprays according to the package label; never drink these products. 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. Seek medical help right away. Just look at some recent eye dropping news. Children are most at risk of Visine poisoning Most cases of poisoning are not criminal, but accidental by children or pets who find the small bottles of odorless, clear solution. Symptoms Symptoms may include: Altered mental state Coma (lack of responsiveness) Difficulty breathing or no breathing Blurred vision Blue lips and fingernails Yin S. Over-the-counter cough and cold preparations: Approach to pediatric poisoning. Waltham, MA: Elsevier; 2016:793. This will help them in assessing the possible drug interactions within various medications and help avoid/prevent accidental or unintentional toxic drug effects. Yet it is not only toddlers who risk central nervous system shutdown or other dire results if they swallow Visine, as demonstrated by the following examples: Revenge seekers still not quite convinced that a Visine mickey finn won't produce the diarrheal results they crave, or that the drinking of such a potion could potentially result in a life-threatening medical crisis in the object of their prank, should consider one final fact: the act of secreting noxious substances in ingestibles for the purpose of bringing harm to others is called poisoning.