DrugFacilitated Sexual Assault Using Tetrahydrozoline. Lee BY. Freeman, Mark. 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 Houston Chronicle. "Pa. Woman Gets 2-4 Years for Poisoning Man with Visine." 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. COMMON BRAND NAME (S): Eye Drops, Geneye, Opti-Clear, Redness Reliever, Visine, Visine Red Eye Comfort. When consumed orally, tetrahydrozoline passes quickly through the gastrointestinal tract, rapidly reaching the blood and the central nervous system, the article said. WOIO-TV [Cleveland]. Tetrahydrozoline, a form of medicine found in many over the counter eye drops such as Visine, can cause seizures, blurred vision, difficulty breathing and may even result in a coma if taken. How Visine eye drops in the mouth can kill, here are two cases. Young children who consume small amounts of tetrahydrozoline (as little as one-half of one teaspoon) can develop sleepiness and difficulty breathing. If it is established that a person is a regular drug user, then raise the number of milligrams for MLD by 33%. (2013). A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, for Health Content Provider (www.urac.org). Get help online or Call 1-800-222-1222. Your membership is the foundation of our sustainability and resilience. If the cause is not obvious or not minor, see your doctor as soon as possible, especially if there are accompanying symptoms such as loss of vision or the presence of a harpoon. Foreign objects like batteries and toys. For an adult, the ingestion of 100mg of conium or about 8 leaves of the plant is fatal. (2012). Standard operative procedures and auditing for poisoning cases in India. 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. The. "Student Accused of Poison Attempt." 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. 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. 19 September 1997 (p. A30). Tetryzoline. Spiller, H. A., & Siewert, D. J. It is a member of the imidazole family that can serve as decongestants and vasoconstrictors. 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. One drop can be beneficial, one swig can be deadly: tetrahydrozoline intoxication. Its use in greater than recommended doses may cause hypertension, bradycardia, rebound hypotension, and possibly arrhythmias. Both options are free, expert, and confidential. Watch out for any symptoms that occur beyond your eyes including a headache, dizziness, anxiety, chest pain, shortness of breath, or irregular heartbeats. Osterhoudt KC, Henretig FM. When consumed orally, tetrahydrozoline passes quickly through the gastrointestinal tract, rapidly reaching the blood and the central nervous system, the article said. The products contain the active ingredients tetrahydrozoline, naphazoline, or oxymetazoline. Reports of significant toxicity from tetrahydrozoline ingestion are unusual but have occured primarily in small children after unintentional ingestion (3-63, 6). Johnson & Johnson, the maker of Visine, said in a statement on Friday: Using tetrahydrozoline (active ingredient in Visine) on the surface of the eye has been demonstrated to be safe for self-use for over 50 years. This medicine may be used for other purposes; ask your health care provider or pharmacist if you have questions. URAC's accreditation program is an independent audit to verify that A.D.A.M. The signs and symptoms of Tetrahydrozoline Poisoning may include: Headaches Reduced body temperature Nausea, vomiting Diarrhea Heartburn Bleeding in the stomach, stomach pain Breathing difficulties; absence of breathing Rapid heartbeat Irritability and increased nervousness Vision abnormalities including blurred vision; dilated pupils J Emerg Med. (Photo by Sylvain Gaboury/FilmMagic). In the 2005 comedy "Wedding Crashers," Owen Wilson's character puts a few eye drops in the drink of love rival Sack Lodge, played byBradley Cooper. The cause of death was listed as tetrahydrozoline poisoning and classified as a homicide, not suicide or an accident. Subsequently, clonidine has been primarily utilized for its potent antihypertensive effect, but is used on- and off-label for a wide variety of indications. Journal of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, 29(1), 80-92. Waltham, MA: Elsevier; 2016:793. Visine may cause serious side effects. 1 August 1998 (p. 373). Tetrahydrozoline causes constriction of blood vessels when it is applied directly on the eye; this reduces eye redness. In the South Carolina case, the traces of tetrahydrozoline were found in Mr. Claytons body during the autopsy, the warrant said. 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. 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. 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Kurczewski, 36, of using eye drops to poison her friend Lynn Hernan at her Pewaukee, Wisconsin home. Aronson JK. Aronson JK. Then his wife admitted to poisoning his water with eye drops. Seek immediate medical attention.. Also in June 2006, Kristine Anzalone served her roommate, Joseph Gentissi Jr., an iced tea spiked with Visine. 2020 Jan 17. Tetrahydrozoline is sold under the following brand names: Note: This list may not be all inclusive. 35; pp. All medications can have side effects. 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 Get ophthalmologist-reviewed tips and information about eye health and preserving your vision. Mills said she wanted her boyfriend to pay more attention to her. 9 January 2009. (Photo [+] by Roberto Machado Noa/LightRocket via Getty Images). They will give you further instructions. 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. 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. 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. Can eating poppy seeds affect drug test results? The Turkish journal of pediatrics, 54(6), 658. Stars and Stripes. It is important for physicians to be familiar with the adverse effects of these ingestions and to be aware of the potential therapies for management. Its a different story if eye drops go down your mouth. The Lancet. Always read the label before using any over-the-counter (OTC) product. "Airman Sentenced to Life in Prison." 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. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Tetrahydrozoline hydrochloride | C13H17ClN2 | CID 10648 - structure, chemical names, physical and chemical properties, classification, patents, literature, biological . You could kill the person. Unintentional pediatric ophthalmic tetrahydrozoline ingestion: case files of the medical toxicology fellowship at the University of California, San Francisco. It could be from seasonal allergies, being tired, or smoking marijuana, for example. Yin S. Over-the-counter cough and cold preparations: Approach to pediatric poisoning. Even a small ingestion can cause clinical signs of vomiting, lethargy/depression or . 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. 2020 Jan 18. by Roberto Machado Noa/LightRocket via Getty Images). Tetrahydrolozine may cause ocular burning, stinging, dryness, headache, insomnia, dizziness, tremors, palpitations, rebound erythema and congestion. Yin S. Over-the-counter cough and cold preparations: Approach to pediatric poisoning. Tetrahydrozoline is a form of a medicine called imidazoline, which is found in over-the-counter eye drops and nasal sprays. This will help them in assessing the possible drug interactions within various medications and help avoid/prevent accidental or unintentional toxic drug effects. Products containing tetrahydrozoline can interact with many prescription drugs. 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. Eddy O, Howell JM. Clinical Pediatrics. The health care provider will measure and monitor the person's vital signs, including temperature, pulse, breathing rate, and blood pressure. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. 15 February 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 . The following information is helpful for emergency assistance: However, DO NOT delay calling for help if this information is not immediately available. Anyone can read what you share. Imidazolines (like oxymetazoline and tetrahydrozoline) are commonly found in over-the-counter eye drops and nasal sprays. and Ph.D. degrees in Veterinary Medical Sciences. 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. Take the container with you to the hospital, if possible. Hemlock or Conium is a highly toxic flowering plant indigenous to Europe and South Africa. Dr. D talks about tetrahydrozoline (the active ingredient in many over the counter eye drops) and. 1-800-222-1222 Common signs of poisoning in humans are as follows:-. Stop using Visine and call your doctor at once if you have: ongoing or worsening eye redness; eye pain; changes in your vision; The smaller the body size, the less thats needed to cause major problems and even be life threatening. Find patient medical information for tetrahydrozoline ophthalmic (eye) on WebMD including its uses, side effects and safety, interactions, pictures, warnings and user ratings. In our patient there was an initial hypertension and bradycardia, followed by a persistent orthostatic hypotension. This is not an all-inclusive list. Tetryzoline is found in a wide array of over-the-counter . 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. When a bottle of product containing imidazolines is chewed, it can result in severe poisoning in pets - even death, when untreated. Kelly Johnson-Arbor, MD Instead, loosen any tight clothing that they may be wearing, such as a belt, a necktie, skinny jeans, or a Black Widows costume. UpToDate. DO NOT use it to treat or manage an actual poison exposure. When used in the eyes as directed to reduce redness, these types of eye drops are not absorbed systemically in amounts that lead to toxicity. Not your mouth or other orifices. This national hotline will let you talk to experts in poisoning. Your eyes may be bigger than your stomach, but these body parts are just not the same. Meyler's Side Effects of Drugs. North County Gazette. 25.1K subscribers Lana Sue Clayton used Visine eye drops to poison her husband, Steven Clayton. 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. Generic Name Tetryzoline DrugBank Accession Number DB06764 Background. You can call for any reason, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The active component in Visine eye drops is tetrahydrozoline. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. The girlfriend later discovered that Carpenter had been texting his friends to boast about the eye drops prank and called the police on him. The following is a list of over-the-counter medications, household products, foods, and other items that may be potentially toxic to a pet. Police said Lana Clayton poisoned her 64-year-old husband, Stephen, with eye drops. J Emerg Med. On November 16, the victim was hospitalized with decreased body temperature, stomach aches, swings in blood pressure, blurred vision, tremors and bleeding. The symptoms include, but are. Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. In 1996, a two-year-old child who ingested at most 2 to 3 mL of Visine eye drops became dangerously lethargic and unresponsive to every stimulus except deep pain. Her husband, Stephen Clayton, ended up passing away after three days. In 2001, a 22-year-old college student from Wisconsin was jailed for 90 days for repeatedly pouring eye drops into her roommates water after seeing the prank in the comedy Wedding Crashers. The active ingredient in eye drops such as Visine is tetrahydrozoline HCI. Not your mouth. Clonidine and topical imidazolines exposure in toddlers. If you or someone you are with has an exposure, call the local emergency number (such as 911), or the local poison center can be reached directly by calling the national toll-free Poison Help hotline (1-800-222-1222) from anywhere in the United States. It does NOT need to be an emergency. In: Burns MM, ed. To use the sharing features on this page, please enable JavaScript. Whileeye dropscan be dangerous if swallowed, experts say the chemical used to get the red out of your eyes is safe when used correctly. A 33-year-old Pennsylvania woman could spend the rest of her life in prison after admitting to police that she repeatedly poisoned her boyfriend with Visine eye drops for more than three years in . 16th ed. 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. Less than a mother later, the stepmother required medical help for similar symptoms. Copyright 1997-2023, A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited without authorization. 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. Thats why you dont typically eat your contact lens. In general, dont use The Wedding Crashers as a model for your behavior. Internally they also induce vasoconstriction (as Toxnet calls it). The drug may be sold under brand names Eyesine, Geneye, Murine Tears Plus, Optigene 3, Tyzine, Visine Original and Advanced Relief among others, Tetrahydrozoline Poisoning is the accidental or intentional intake of medication containing tetrahydrozoline, The condition is diagnosed based upon the clinical history, combination of signs and symptoms, and additional tests (that may include, in some cases, radiological studies and laboratory tests), Tetrahydrozoline Poisoning is caused by the intake of large amounts of tetrahydrozoline containing medicated solutions, This intake could be accidental, or in some cases intentional, to bring self-harm, Breathing difficulties; absence of breathing, Vision abnormalities including blurred vision; dilated pupils, Bluish discoloration of lips and beneath fingernails, If the individual with Tetrahydrozoline Poisoning is in a coma, or is experiencing life-threatening symptoms, call 911 (or your local emergency help number) immediately, Call the Poison Control Center at 1-800-222-1222 (or your local poison control center) for further instructions, Provide them with information such as dosage, type of drug taken, strength and time of ingestion of medication, age, weight and general health status of affected individual, Confirm that the airways are protected; also, ensure breathing and the presence of pulse, Unless instructed by a healthcare professional, DO NOT induce vomiting in the affected individual, Take individual to emergency room (ER) for further treatment, Always try to take the medication strip/bottle/container to the ER, Medically manage symptoms; provide breathing support, if necessary, Administer activated charcoal to avoid absorbance of drug in the body, Administer laxatives for elimination of drug from the body, Administer fluids by an intravenous drip line, The individual who overdosed, or someone near, should call 911 for emergency assistance (or the local emergency number), They should also call the poison control center at 1-800-222-1222 (or the local poison control center) and follow instructions, The prognosis of Tetrahydrozoline Overdose is dependent on the amount of drug consumed, time between ingestion and treatment, severity of the symptoms, as well as general health status of the patient, If the individual can recover from the symptoms within a period of 24 hours, with adequate medication and support, the outcome is generally good, In case of severe symptoms including abnormal heart-rates, seizures, and coma, it may considerably worsen the outcome. This material may not be reproduced without permission. Keep in mind that such eye drops primarily help with your appearance but do not necessarily address whats actually causing the redness. Topic 16258 Version 15.0, November 2020. 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. 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. Alcohol. The student responsible has been charged with tampering with a drink with intent to cause harm. Tetrahydrozoline poisoning occurs when someone accidentally or intentionally swallows this product. 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. Tetryzoline (also known as tetrahydrozoline) is a drug used in some over-the-counter eye drops and nasal sprays. More than 1,600 cases of oral exposures are reported to United States poison centers annually (1,2). Symptoms of an overdose include drowsiness, slow breathing or absence of breathing, slow heartbeat, hypothermia and possibly even coma, it said. Tetrahydrozoline poisoning Tetrahydrozoline is a form of a medicine called imidazoline, which is found in over-the-counter eye drops and nasal sprays. The chemical is found in Visine, Murine Plus, Altazine, Clarine and some other over-the-counter eye drops, according to Drugs.com. , updated The danger is real, and parents are well advised to keep eye drops away from children. 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. With such severe and potentially deadly risks, it is just not worth the squeeze. Visine is clearly labeled for external use only and should never be swallowed.. "Visine Prank Leads to Day in Court." is among the first to achieve this important distinction for online health information and services. Saturday's installment of "48 Hours" examines the strange case of Lana Clayton, a nurse who fatally poisoned her millionaire husband by lacing his drinks with Visine. 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. Nardo, Melissa. Its use in greater than recommended doses may cause hypertension, bradycardia, rebound hypotension, and possibly arrhythmias. "If I had an underlying medical condition or if I had gotten a little more of the drug I could have been. In: Burns MM, ed. A majority of the cases are often not fatal, when appropriate treatment is given. This is a free and confidential service. "Urban Legend Almost Kills Dad." I felt awful," she told Inside Edition. ", In June 2009, Denise Moyer of Wells, Vermont, was arrested for third degree assault after police confirmed she'd spiked a. Ginger Watson knows what it is like to be poisoned by eye drops. If you or someone you are with has an exposure, call the local emergency number (such as 911), or the local poison center can be reached directly by calling the national toll-free Poison Help hotline (1-800-222-1222) from anywhere in the United States. 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." It's easy to see that ingesting it is in fact poisoning. 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. 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. state Department of Insurance said when announcing his arrest last month. They include rapid heart beat, nausea,. Also offered on campus is an American Society of Health-System Pharmacists-accredited pharmacy residency program at Shands Jacksonville. The throat may feel tight and hoarse. The "Visine slipped into the drink" pay back carries additional appeal because it seems to offer an effective yet harmless form of retaliation that could be easily and furtively administered even by the wimpiest of revenge seekers. Rhyee, S. H., Traub, S. J., & Grayzel, J. Murdaugh is heckled as he leaves court, Ukrainian soldier takes out five tanks with Javelin missiles, Isabel Oakeshott receives 'menacing' message from Matt Hancock, Alex Murdaugh unanimously found GUILTY of murder of wife and son, Isabel Oakeshott clashes with Nick Robinson over Hancock texts, Family of a 10-month-old baby filmed vaping open up, Missing hiker buried under snow forces arm out to wave to helicopter, Moment teenager crashes into back of lorry after 100mph police race. The victim spent several days in the hospital recovering from reactions to the poisoning that included a dangerously low heart rate and blood pressure. Remember that movies are not the same as real life: these products do not cause diarrhea, but they may cause life-threatening health issues and even death after people drink them. Jacob L. Heller, MD, MHA, Emergency Medicine, Emeritus, Virginia Mason Medical Center, Seattle, WA. The following information is helpful for emergency assistance: However, DO NOT delay calling for help if this information is not immediately available. Accessed June 8, 2021. Learn how we can help. While poisoning symptoms are uncommon after applying the drops to the eyes, these agents can produce significant poisoning if taken orally.
