tetrahydrozoline poisoning symptoms

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. 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. J Emerg Med. The teen could have faced 10 years in prison if she were to go to trial and found guilty. 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. A.D.A.M. On November 16, the victim was hospitalized with decreased body temperature, stomach aches, swings in blood pressure, blurred vision, tremors and bleeding. Symptoms of tetrahydrozoline poisoning include: Blood pressure changes; Nausea; Vomiting; Seizures; Coma; Difficulty breathing; Xiidra does not contain tetrahydrozoline, but is still considered potentially harmful when swallowed. 2018 Sep 5. Call 911 right away if the individual collapses, has a seizure, has trouble breathing, or can't be awakened. Most cases of poisoning are not criminal, but accidental by children or petswho find the small bottles of odorless, clear solution. You may opt-out by. 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. , the 53-year-old Clayton pled guilty tovoluntary manslaughter and tampering with a food or drug after she admitted togiving her husband Steven Clayton drinks laced with Visine.. Tetryzoline is found in a wide array of over-the-counter . The Lancet. Editorial team. Tetrahydrozoline is a chemical thats in many of these drops. "Crater Lake Worker Called Visine Poisoning a 'Harmless Prank.' DO NOT make a person throw up unless told to do so by poison control or a health care professional. Also, the mental image of an enemy sent hotfooting for the toilet is a hugely satisfying one, especially in a society that views fecal output as something to be ashamed of. This page was last edited on 6 February 2023, at 16:47 (UTC). 10 October 2003 (Orange County Edition; p. B3). Copyright 1997-2023, A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited without authorization. Accessed June 8, 2021. DO NOT make a person throw up unless told to do so by poison control or a health care professional. It does NOT need to be an emergency. 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.. Tetrahydrozoline is sold under the following brand names: Note: This list may not be all inclusive. Most recently, a California man was arrested a week ago and charged with trying to poison his girlfriend by lacing her drinks with the eye drops. Waltham, MA: Elsevier; 2016:793. The person may receive: Survival past 24 hours is usually a good sign that the person will recover. Associated Press. Death comes in the form of paralysis-your mind is wide awake, but . Police say she poisoned him- with eye drops. Tetra-hi what? is among the first to achieve this important distinction for online health information and services. Constricting blood vessels in your eyes is how they get the red out.. Drinking it can (and has) caused severe depression of the central nervous system. Young children who consume small amounts of tetrahydrozoline (as little as one-half of one teaspoon) can develop sleepiness and difficulty breathing. Products containing tetrahydrozoline can interact with many prescription drugs. His wife claimed he had succumbed to a fatal fall. Mills said she wanted her boyfriend to pay more attention to her. 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. . She admitted to doing this deliberately and surreptitiously. 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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. or. Immediately use thewebPOISONCONTROLonline tool or call 1-800-222-1222. In: Burns MM, ed. Learn about UF clinical research studies that are seeking volunteers. Medical Toxicology Physician, Call 4 Available since the 1950s, tetryzoline is a selective 1-receptor agonist 5 that is used as an ocular and nasal decongestant. Bongioanni, Carlos. Ranked among the top schools of pharmacy nationally, the college supports research, service and educational programs enhanced with online technologies. International Society of Refractive Surgery. In young children, serious adverse events can occur from ingesting only a small amount (1 to 2 mL, or several drops) of tetrahydrozoline. URAC's accreditation program is an independent audit to verify that A.D.A.M. Please remove adblock to help us create the best medical content found on the Internet. I am a writer, journalist, professor, systems modeler, computational and digital health expert, avocado-eater, and entrepreneur, not always in that order. 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. A.D.A.M. Tetrahydrozoline poisoning occurs when someone accidentally or intentionally swallows this product. 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. 22 May 2002. Poisoning with eyedrops is also the plot line of an episode of the CBS drama "CSI": There is tetrahydrozoline in the victim's drink. "Visine Prank Leads to Day in Court." Always read the label before using any over-the-counter (OTC) product. Owen Wilsons hair wouldnt fly on most people. In April 2015, a New Jersey high school student was, In October 2019, a food-service worker at Crater Lake National Park named Christopher Michael Morrison was. Many of these types of OTC products do not have child-resistant closures, so they should be stored out of the reach of children. Eyedrops and nasal decongestant sprays often contain ingredients intended to reduce eye redness and nasal stuffiness. Symptoms of an overdose. 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. 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. All local poison control centers in the United States use this national number. Clayton, you sure have tangled this one up, he said. A 19-year-old Wyoming woman accused of poisoning her stepmother with eye drops has pleaded no contest to an aggravated assault charge. "Severe Nausea and Vomiting with Timolol Eye Drops." 15 February 2013. When used in high amounts or when ingested, tetrahydrozoline can also cause sleepiness, low blood pressure, and a dangerously slow heart rate. 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. They will give you further instructions. 1995 - 2023 by Snopes Media Group Inc. Tetryzoline. Both options are free, expert, and confidential. InTech. You can call for any reason, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. ", Murdaugh Murders Timeline: Investigations, Deaths and the Collapse of a Powerful South Carolina Family, 8-Year-Old Arkansas Boy Raises More Than $65K for His Favorite Waffle House Waiter, Who Walks Miles to Work, Bryan Kohberger Decries 'Pervasive and Grotesquely Twisted Nature' of Idaho Murders Coverage in Court Document, Family Discovers Kentucky Vacation Rental House Has Secret Underground Bunker and Was Site of Grisly Murder, Lindsay Clancy: Timeline of Events in the Case of Massachusetts Mom Accused of Killing Her 3 Children, Fiance of Slain Orlando TV Reporter Plans to Have His Baby After Harvesting His Sperm Post-Mortem. Lee BY. The student responsible has been charged with tampering with a drink with intent to cause harm. 2004 Oct;27(3):313-4. By Such interactions may enhance the therapeutic effects of the drug or other medications being taken, resulting in undesired side effects (such as an overdose). It was a popular one with the ancient Greeks, who used it to kill off their prisoners. In general, be careful about using such eye drops, even if they go where they are supposed to go. "Student Accused of Poison Attempt." Woman Used Eye Drops to Kill Husband, Court Says, https://www.nytimes.com/2020/01/17/us/visine-eye-drop-poisoning.html. 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. Jennings later told investigators that the woman had ingested about five bottles worth of Visine that day. Topic 16258 Version 15.0, November 2020. Young children who consume small amounts of tetrahydrozoline (as little as one-half of one teaspoon) can develop sleepiness and difficulty breathing. 16th ed. 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 will help them in assessing the possible drug interactions within various medications and help avoid/prevent accidental or unintentional toxic drug effects. On Thursday, Lana Sue Clayton was sentenced to 25-years in prison for voluntary manslaughter. 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. Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone. The sample showed a high amount of chemical from the eye drops. Imidazolines (like oxymetazoline and tetrahydrozoline) are commonly found in over-the-counter eye drops and nasal sprays. For example, if the redness is actually blood gushing out of your eyeballs, dont just put Visine on them. The Washington Post. [New York] Newsday. 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. Take the container with you to the hospital, if possible. A woman is accused of poisoning her husband with over-the-counter eye drops, which led to his death, according to cops. 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." She killed him with eye drops. Clinical rotations in all the major disciplines are provided for UFCOM undergraduate medical students and elective rotations to students from other accredited schools. It matters not if actual harm results from the attempt the act itself is enough to land one in the hoosegow. Knowles H. Officials said he died in a fall. 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. Stop using Visine and call your doctor at once if you have: ongoing or worsening eye redness; eye pain; changes in your vision; Tetrahydrolozine may cause ocular burning, stinging, dryness, headache, insomnia, dizziness, tremors, palpitations, rebound erythema and congestion. Program completed entirely in Jacksonville. Dr. D talks about tetrahydrozoline (the active ingredient in many over the counter eye drops) and. 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. Symptoms Symptoms may include: Altered mental state Coma (lack of responsiveness) Difficulty breathing or no breathing Blurred vision Blue lips and fingernails "Chills, sweats, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea. "Woman Charged with Assault by Visine Eye Drops." Learn how we can help. 16th ed. Symptoms will be treated as appropriate. 20 February 2002. The movie I Hope They Serve Beer in Hell and the television series Orange Is The New Black both had scenes in which this happened. This article is for information only. 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. 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. Tomassoni, A. J. To do their thing, such eye drops should go into your, you guessed it, eyes. 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. Instead, loosen any tight clothing that they may be wearing, such as a belt, a necktie, skinny jeans, or a Black Widows costume. . For an adult, the ingestion of 100mg of conium or about 8 leaves of the plant is fatal. Teenagers and adults who drink larger amounts may also experience heart rhythm abnormalities and breathing problems that can be life-threatening. 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. "Generally, symptoms can occur in as little as one hour, peaking at eight hours, and resolving . You should call if you have any questions about poisoning or poison prevention. 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). 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. Joshua Lee Hunsucker, 35, on Thursday was charged with first-degree murder in the September 2018 death of his . Many of these types of OTC products do not have child-resistant closures, so they should be stored out of the reach of children. 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.. Lowry, J. The cause of death was listed as tetrahydrozoline poisoning and classified as a homicide, not suicide or an accident. It is a member of the imidazole family that can serve as decongestants and vasoconstrictors. Anyone can read what you share. In Clinical Toxicology (Vol. Tetrahydrozoline, a derivative of imidazoline, is widely used for the symptomatic relief of conjunctival and nasal congestion; however, intentional or unintentional high doses can result in toxicity manifested by hypotension, tachycardia, and CNS depression. The poisonous effect made headlines when Lana Clayton, 52, wascharged for murdering her husband by adding redness-relieving eye drops to his drinking water for three days. Not your mouth or other orifices. DO NOT make a person throw up unless told to do so by poison control or a health care professional. While poisoning symptoms are uncommon after applying the drops to the eyes, these agents can produce significant poisoning if taken orally. Learn more about A.D.A.M. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. In the past two years, there have been three separate criminal cases involving Visine. The following information is helpful for emergency assistance: However, DO NOT delay calling for help if this information is not immediately available. Foreign objects like batteries and toys. Journal of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, 29(1), 80-92. They include rapid heart beat, nausea,. You could kill the person. Tetrahydrozoline is a form of a medicine called imidazoline, which is found in over-the-counter eye drops and nasal sprays. While poisoning symptoms are uncommon after applying the drops to the eyes, these agents can produce significant poisoning if taken orally. 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. Dont do most things that he did. Wahi, M. M., Stone, K. V., Chance, M., & Miller, C. E. (2017). The chemical is found in Visine, Murine Plus, Altazine, Clarine and some other over-the-counter eye drops, according to Drugs.com. However, make sure that the redness is not from something more serious like a bad allergic reaction, an infection, glaucoma, or a harpoon. 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. Spiller, H. A., & Siewert, D. J. Waltham, MA: Elsevier; 2016:793. You dont want them putting even a few milliliters of the stuff into their mouths. The UF College of Nursing continually attracts and retains the highest caliber of nursing students and faculty with a passion for science and caring. If you are uncertain, call your veterinarian or an . The person may receive: Survival past 24 hours is usually a good sign that the person will recover. 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. The stepmother was hospitalized twice with various ailments. Thank. 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. This symptom is a precursor to difficulty speaking. 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. Alcohol. All medications can have side effects. 7, pp. The College of Medicine, the largest of six colleges at the University of Florida Academic Health Center, opened in 1956 with a mission to increase Florida's supply of highly qualified physicians, provide advanced health-care services to Florida residents and foster discovery in health research. Products containing tetrahydrozoline can interact with many prescription drugs. 539-540). 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 . "Woman Ordered to Pay Poisoned Roommate's Hospital Bill." Then his wife admitted to poisoning his water with eye drops. Stars and Stripes. If you suspect someone has ingested tetrahydrozoline, do not try to make the person vomit it back up as that may actually increase their absorption of the chemical. WOIO-TV [Cleveland]. Snopes and the Snopes.com logo are registered service marks of Snopes.com. Constricting blood vessels in your eyes is how they get the red out., The FDA considers the risk for these products to be low as they are labeled for external use only and are clearly marked keep out of reach of children.. With such severe and potentially deadly risks, it is just not worth the squeeze. When consumed orally, tetrahydrozoline passes quickly through the gastrointestinal tract, rapidly reaching the blood and the central nervous system. Putting two drops in both eyes six times a day would only equal about one milliliter of fluid. 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. 14 November 2006. 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. Call poison control and get emergency care as soon as possible. The health care provider will measure and monitor the person's vital signs, including temperature, pulse, breathing rate, and blood pressure. These medications are available over-the-counter in pharmacies in the United States and are frequently not packaged in child-resistant containers. Some common symptoms that might point to a poisoning include: Nausea and . 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. Just look at some recent eye dropping news. WPVI-TV [Philadelphia]. The products contain the active ingredients tetrahydrozoline, naphazoline, or oxymetazoline. Hemlock or Conium is a highly toxic flowering plant indigenous to Europe and South Africa. I will drop in updates here accordingly. The active ingredient in eye drops such as Visine is tetrahydrozoline HCI. Also in June 2006, Kristine Anzalone served her roommate, Joseph Gentissi Jr., an iced tea spiked with Visine. I felt awful, she told Inside Edition. The defendant initially pleaded not guilty to the charge, but had a change of heart this week. Paksu, M. S., Paksu, S., Akkus, T., & Baysal, K. (2012). While poisoning symptoms are uncommon after applying the drops to the eyes, these agents can produce significant poisoning if taken orally. Watch out for any symptoms that occur beyond your eyes including a headache, dizziness, anxiety, chest pain, shortness of breath, or irregular heartbeats. 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. No, she didnt just have bad aim. In: Aronson JK, ed. And do not put eye drops in anyones drink, even just a few drops to prank someone. 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. In young children, serious adverse events can occur from ingesting only a small amount (1 to 2 mL, or several drops) of tetrahydrozoline. Many of these types of OTC products do not have child-resistant closures, so they should be stored out of the reach of children.