Both options are free, expert, and confidential. Clinical effects from ingestion of tetrahydrozoline have included drowsiness, coma, respiratory depression, bradycardia, hypotension, hypotonia, muscle flaccidity and hypothermia ( 3-6, 9-11 ). 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. 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. UF Health scientist lands first-ever NIH grant for a rare disorder devastating UF Health joins national effort to improve patient outcomes. Tips for Anxious Kids and Adults. The symptoms include, but are. We report a case of unintentional tetrahydrozoline ingestion with cardiovascular . 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. All Rights Reserved. DO NOT use it to treat or manage an actual poison exposure. Opinions expressed by Forbes Contributors are their own. Internally they also induce vasoconstriction (as Toxnet calls it). Aronson JK. They will give you further instructions. "Crater Lake Worker Called Visine Poisoning a 'Harmless Prank.' "Grocer Settles Suit Out of Court." Thats why you dont typically eat your contact lens. The chemical is found in Visine, Murine Plus, Altazine, Clarine and some other over-the-counter eye drops, according to Drugs.com. We report a case of unintentional . "Airman Sentenced to Life in Prison." International Society of Refractive Surgery. The following information is helpful for emergency assistance: However, DO NOT delay calling for help if this information is not immediately available. Eye drops go in your eyes. This is a free and confidential service. Tetrahydrozoline is a form of a medicine called imidazoline, which is found in over-the-counter eye drops and nasal sprays. October 1996 (Vol. Signs or symptoms of dehydration excessive thirst, dry mouth, little or no urination, severe weakness, dizziness, or lightheadedness Neurological symptoms such as blurry vision, muscle weakness and tingling in the arms Request an Appointment at Mayo Clinic From Mayo Clinic to your inbox Many of these types of OTC products do not have child-resistant closures, so they should be stored out of the reach of children. 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. King World Productions Inc. 2023 Inside Edition Inc. and CBS interactive Inc., Paramount companies. Accessed June 8, 2021. The Houston Chronicle. Swallowing this substance can result in a number of nasty effects, including: Lowering body temperature to dangerous levels Tetryzoline. J Emerg Med. Vanderhart, Dirk. Some common symptoms that might point to a poisoning include: Nausea and . The signs and symptoms of Tetrahydrozoline Poisoning may include: First Aid tips for Tetrahydrozoline Poisoning: The emergency medical health professional might perform the following steps towards treating the condition: First aid for Tetrahydrozoline Poisoning is administered by healthcare professionals. Tomassoni, A. J. These medications are available over-the-counter in pharmacies in the United States and are frequently not packaged in child-resistant containers. Sometimes poison doesn't cause any symptoms. There are approximately 130 cases of tetrahydrozoline exposure reported each year to the online poison control toolwebPOISONCONTROL. In: Burns MM, ed. Tetrahydrozoline is sold under the following brand names: Note: This list may not be all inclusive. All local poison control centers in the United States use this national number. 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. This is a free and confidential service. The UF College of Pharmacy-Jacksonville offers a four-year Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.) Together we care for our patients and our communities. That can be like taking ibuprofen for pain caused by a harpoon stuck in you without first saying, maybe, I should do something about this harpoon stuck in me.. Snejana Farberov The girlfriend later discovered that Carpenter had been texting his friends to boast about the eye drops prank and called the police on him. I felt awful," she told Inside Edition. Joshua Lee Hunsucker, 35, on Thursday was charged with first-degree murder in the September 2018 death of his . Since blood is red, unless you are Vulcan, less blood may mean less redness. Jennings later told investigators that the woman had ingested about five bottles worth of Visine that day. The smaller the body size, the less thats needed to cause major problems and even be life threatening. Also in June 2006, Kristine Anzalone served her roommate, Joseph Gentissi Jr., an iced tea spiked with Visine. Nunnally, Derrick. Reports of significant toxicity from tetrahydrozoline ingestion are unusual but have occured primarily in small children after unintentional ingestion (3-63, 6). Dont do most things that he did. 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 ]. This symptom is a precursor to difficulty speaking. When consumed by mouth, they may result in serious toxicity and even death. Young children who consume small amounts of tetrahydrozoline (as little as one-half of one teaspoon) can develop sleepiness and difficulty breathing. The College of Public Health & Health Professions (PHHP) is dedicated to providing excellent educational programs that prepare graduates to address the multifaceted health needs of populations, communities and individuals. 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. It matters not if actual harm results from the attempt the act itself is enough to land one in the hoosegow. 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. The cause of death was listed as tetrahydrozoline poisoning and classified as a homicide, not suicide or an accident. Ingesting this substance can lead to a variety of harmful side effects such as dramatically lowering body temperature, causing severe breathing difficulty, respiratory failure, blurred vision, nausea, vomiting, blood pressure fluctuation, tremors, seizures and even coma. 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. In Patient Centered Medicine. I never thought it would kill him.. You can thank tetrahydrozoline for helping do this. The UFCOM-J offers accredited graduate medical education residency and fellowship programs, in addition to non-standard fellowship programs. 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. 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. In January 2009, 40-year-old Tonia L. Peterson of Fair Grove, Missouri, was charged with first-degree assault for dumping half a bottle of eye drops into her husband's tea in an attempt to kill her spouse. 14 November 2006. or. While poisoning symptoms are uncommon after applying the drops to the eyes, these agents can produce significant poisoning if taken orally. On Friday, Barry Smith, spokesman for the department, said that Ms. Hunsucker was an organ donor and that, although she died in 2018, samples of her blood were tested after the case was referred to the department. Stars and Stripes. To avoid mishap one probably ought to take 150% the minimum lethal dose. This medicine may be used for other purposes; ask your health care provider or pharmacist if you have questions. Many of these types of OTC products do not have child-resistant closures, so they should be stored out of the reach of children. 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. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. URAC's accreditation program is an independent audit to verify that A.D.A.M. WPVI-TV [Philadelphia]. 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. 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. 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. That is why we provide online Continuing Medical Education (CME) courses for you to complete for CME credits. It could be from seasonal allergies, being tired, or smoking marijuana, for example. Most cases of tetrahydrozoline exposure occur in adults, but more than one-fourth of all exposures occur in toddlers (1-2 years of age). A lawyer for Mr. Hunsucker, David Teddy, did not immediately return a telephone call seeking comment on Friday. 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. She had suffered from PTSD attributed to domestic abuse, he said. 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. . Sightings: In an episode of television's CSI ("Revenge Is Best Served Cold," original air date 26 September 2002), a drink spiked in this fashion caused a death when the eye drops initiated a fatal reaction with chocolate the victim had eaten. The following is a list of over-the-counter medications, household products, foods, and other items that may be potentially toxic to a pet. 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. Alexis Jennings, of Natrona County, entered the plea Thursday in state district court. Owen Wilsons hair wouldnt fly on most people. Consuming tetrahydrozoline has several unpleasant symptoms, none of which typically include diarrhea. In February 2013, a Pennsylvania court sentenced 33-year-old Vickie Jo Mills to two to four years in prison for putting eyedrops into her boyfriend's drinking water 10 to 12 times, causing him to suffer from nausea, vomiting, blood pressure problems and breathing trouble before blood tests revealed the presence of tetrahydrozoline in his system. In: Aronson JK, ed. Yin S. Over-the-counter cough and cold preparations: Approach to pediatric poisoning. You could kill the person. While poisoning symptoms are uncommon after applying the drops to the eyes, these agents can produce significant poisoning if taken orally. With such severe and potentially deadly risks, it is just not worth the squeeze. Dr. D talks about tetrahydrozoline (the active ingredient in many over the counter eye drops) and. Its a different story if eye drops go down your mouth. The Dangers of Letting Your Dog Play in the Ocean, Ex-'Top Chef' Contestant Accused of Poisoning Tree That Was Blocking Solar Panels, Woman Who Allegedly Poisoned Niece's Breast Milk Didn't 'Feel an Ounce of Guilt,' Cops Say, Bride Sues Caterer After Guests Suffer Food Poisoning During Wedding. Tobias, Joseph. 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. The Washington Post. (2012). Ginger Watson knows what it is like to be poisoned by eye drops. The desire for revenge runs deep in all of us. North County Gazette. Instruction Courses and Skills Transfer Labs, Program Participant and Faculty Guidelines, LEO Continuing Education Recognition Award, What Practices Are Saying About the Registry, Provider Enrollment, Chain and Ownership System (PECOS), Subspecialty/Specialized Interest Society Directory, Subspecialty/Specialized Interest Society Meetings, Minority Ophthalmology Mentoring Campaign, Global Programs and Resources for National Societies, Red-Eye Drops: Poisonous to Drink, Safe If Used Correctly, Gotas para los ojos rojos: venenosas para beber, seguras si se usan correctamente. [Milwaukee] Journal Sentinel. This article is for information only. 52 VANDERBILT AVE, NEW YORK, NY 10017 USA: INFORMA HEALTHCARE. In Clinical Toxicology (Vol. J Emerg Med. Immediately use thewebPOISONCONTROLonline tool or call 1-800-222-1222. 20:09 GMT 22 Mar 2013. DO NOT use it to treat or manage an actual poison exposure. The health care provider will measure and monitor the person's vital signs, including temperature, pulse, breathing rate, and blood pressure. Tetrahydrozoline Poisoning is the accidental or intentional intake of medication containing tetrahydrozoline. Take the container with you to the hospital, if possible. The active ingredient in Visine eye drops is Tetrahydrozoline HCl 0.05%. "Woman Ordered to Pay Poisoned Roommate's Hospital Bill." Symptoms will be treated as appropriate. She admitted to doing this deliberately and surreptitiously. The student responsible has been charged with tampering with a drink with intent to cause harm. 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.. 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. Unintentional pediatric ophthalmic tetrahydrozoline ingestion: case files of the medical toxicology fellowship at the University of California, San Francisco. She killed him with eye drops. 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." Further, any substance ingested in a sufficient quantity can likewise be toxic. In our patient there was an initial hypertension and bradycardia, followed by a persistent orthostatic hypotension. Forbes. If the victim is not breathing, perform mouth-to-mouth resuscitation. 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. Visine side effects. The main systemic effects are . Hannah Kirby. More than 100 of these products contain an ingredient, tetrahydrozoline, that is similar to a commonly used blood pressure-lowering medication called clonidine. Apparently, her death had a sweetheart of an insurance pay-out: $250,000. Its use in greater than recommended doses may cause hypertension, bradycardia, rebound hypotension, and possibly arrhythmias. 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. Wahi, M. M., Stone, K. V., Chance, M., & Miller, C. E. (2017). Frequent numbness, tingling or a pins-and-needles sensation, usually in the hands. 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: Aronson JK, ed. 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. This material may not be reproduced without permission. "Woman Charged with Assault by Visine Eye Drops." Ive reached out to Visine and Johnson & Johnson for comment on these cases. is also a founding member of Hi-Ethics. Eyedrops and nasal decongestant sprays often contain ingredients intended to reduce eye redness and nasal stuffiness. Can you combine glaucoma drops to eliminate need for two doses? "Student Accused of Poison Attempt." Journal of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, 29(1), 80-92. Munchausen syndrome by proxy due to tetrahydrozoline poisoning. Freeman, Mark. In January 2015 Unger pleaded guilty to six counts of aggravated assault of a victim less than six years old and one count of endangering the welfare of a child. Stop using Visine and call your doctor at once if you have: ongoing or worsening eye redness; eye pain; changes in your vision; 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 Then his wife admitted to poisoning his water with eye drops. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. But now, court documents say the 52-year-old mother of two confessed to administering the poison to him in his water over a three-day period. Dont crash weddings to hook up with strangers. This would not be a good prank. WOIO-TV [Cleveland]. 2018 Sep 5. If you are uncertain, call your veterinarian or an . state Department of Insurance said when announcing his arrest last month. Please remove adblock to help us create the best medical content found on the Internet. 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. Accessed June 8, 2021. "Severe Nausea and Vomiting with Timolol Eye Drops." Call 911 right away if the individual collapses, has a seizure, has trouble breathing, or can't be awakened. This article is for information only. Hemlock or Conium is a highly toxic flowering plant indigenous to Europe and South Africa. The person may receive: Survival past 24 hours is usually a good sign that the person will recover. You could kill the person. Tetrahydrozoline Poisoning can be prevented by: It is important to give your healthcare provider a complete list of prescription and non-prescription medications that are being currently taken. 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. Sinoatrial node arrest following tetrahydrozoline ingestion. "Chills, sweats, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea. As a subscriber, you have 10 gift articles to give each month. "Pa. Woman Gets 2-4 Years for Poisoning Man with Visine." Learn more about A.D.A.M. The resulting symptoms are nothing, nothing at all like the Hollywood version of events. The clerk responsible for the act was dismissed, and Whole Foods Market settled out of court with Trabanino for an undisclosed sum after he brought a. Dont do most things that he did. One drop can be beneficial, one swig can be deadly: tetrahydrozoline intoxication. 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. Givens, Ann. Alpha-2 Adrenergic and Imidazoline Receptor Agonists: Clonidine, Dexmedetomidine, and Related Antihypertensives, Decongestants, and Sedatives. As the North Carolina Department of Insurance (NCDOI) indicated, these circumstances led to an investigation by the NCDOI, the Gaston County (NC) Police Department, and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) that then resulted in allegations of fraudulent life insurance claims. I am a writer, journalist, professor, systems modeler, computational and digital health expert, avocado-eater, and entrepreneur, not always in that order. Lana Sue Clayton in a 2018 booking photo. Products containing tetrahydrozoline can interact with many prescription drugs. Visine may cause serious side effects. Osterhoudt KC, Henretig FM. Not your mouth. 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. Always read the label before using any over-the-counter (OTC) product. She was hospitalized with a multitude of symptoms, but fortunately survived. Eventually, the 35-year-old Hunsucker was arrested on December 19, 2019, and also charged with first degree murder. (2016). The throat may feel tight and hoarse. 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. This site complies with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health information: verify here. What a tangled web we weave, Judge Paul M. Burch said at the Sixteenth Judicial Circuit Court hearing in York, S.C., on Thursday, according to video from WCNC. Police say she poisoned him- with eye drops.