When consumed orally, tetrahydrozoline passes quickly through the gastrointestinal tract, rapidly reaching the blood and the central nervous system. Reviewed by: Jacob L. Heller, MD, MHA, Emergency Medicine, Emeritus, Virginia Mason Medical Center, Seattle, WA. Size of the individual and the total dose are the most critical issues for causing harm, and so children are most at risk, said Wiley Chambers, MD, an ophthalmologist with the Center for Drug Evaluation and Research at the FDA. Alcohol. Meyler's Side Effects of Drugs. Find patient medical information for tetrahydrozoline ophthalmic (eye) on WebMD including its uses, side effects and safety, interactions, pictures, warnings and user ratings. 16th ed. Eventually, the 35-year-old Hunsucker was arrested on December 19, 2019, and also charged with first degree murder. 52, No. Copyright 1997-2023, A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited without authorization. Can eating poppy seeds affect drug test results? Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Nunnally, Derrick. Dr. D talks about tetrahydrozoline (the active ingredient in many over the counter eye drops) and. Waltham, MA: Elsevier; 2016:793. To use the sharing features on this page, please enable JavaScript. A North Carolina paramedic is accused of using an ingredient found in eye drops and nasal spray to cause the death of his wife in 2018.. Joshua Lee Hunsucker, 35, appeared in a Gaston County court . UpToDate.Topic 16258 Version 15.0, November 2020. Owen Wilsons hair wouldnt fly on most people. Vanderhart, Dirk. By How Visine eye drops in the mouth can kill, here are two cases. Yet all is not well in revenge land. Clinical rotations in all the major disciplines are provided for UFCOM undergraduate medical students and elective rotations to students from other accredited schools. . 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. This national hotline will let you talk to experts in poisoning. Reports of significant toxicity from tetrahydrozoline ingestion are unusual but have occured primarily in small children after unintentional ingestion (3-63, 6). Ranked among the top schools of pharmacy nationally, the college supports research, service and educational programs enhanced with online technologies. A lawyer for Mr. Hunsucker, David Teddy, did not immediately return a telephone call seeking comment on Friday. 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 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. 19 September 1997 (p. A30). follows rigorous standards of quality and accountability. 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. Always read the label before using any over-the-counter (OTC) product. Some common symptoms that might point to a poisoning include: Nausea and . 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. 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. 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 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. ; Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0; additional terms may . Take the container with you to the hospital, if possible. 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. Knowles H. Officials said he died in a fall. In Patient Centered Medicine. Common Symptoms of Low Grade Arsenic Toxicity. Clinical effects from ingestion of tetrahydrozoline have included drowsiness, coma, respiratory depression, bradycardia, hypotension, hypotonia, muscle flaccidity and hypothermia ( 3-6, 9-11 ). For example, if the redness is actually blood gushing out of your eyeballs, dont just put Visine on them. Poisoning with eyedrops is also the plot line of an episode of the CBS drama "CSI": There is tetrahydrozoline in the victim's drink. Also offered on campus is an American Society of Health-System Pharmacists-accredited pharmacy residency program at Shands Jacksonville. The Wedding Crashers main characters Vince Vaughn and Owen Wilson pose with Bridesmaids Models [+] during New Line Cinema Premiere of "Wedding Crashers" at Ziegfeld Theatre in New York, New York, United States. International Society of Refractive Surgery. Instead, loosen any tight clothing that they may be wearing, such as a belt, a necktie, skinny jeans, or a Black Widows costume. Unintentional pediatric ophthalmic tetrahydrozoline ingestion: case files of the medical toxicology fellowship at the University of California, San Francisco. "Crater Lake Worker Called Visine Poisoning a 'Harmless Prank.' This will help them in assessing the possible drug interactions within various medications and help avoid/prevent accidental or unintentional toxic drug effects. 7 October 2019. Many of these types of OTC products do not have child-resistant closures, so they should be stored out of the reach of children. J Emerg Med. Dont crash weddings to hook up with strangers. Its a different story if eye drops go down your mouth. 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. 539-540). More than 100 of these products contain an ingredient, tetrahydrozoline, that is similar to a commonly used blood pressure-lowering medication called clonidine. "Chills, sweats, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea. DO NOT make a person throw up unless told to do so by poison control or a health care professional. Meyler's Side Effects of Drugs. The cause of death was listed as tetrahydrozoline poisoning and classified as a homicide, not suicide or an accident. Learn how we can help. If tetrahydrozline is in someones drink while drinking alcohol . Then his wife admitted to poisoning his water with eye drops. You can call for any reason, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Butin real life, the prank is no laughing matter. 2003 Oct;25(3):297-302. Are one or two dangerous? Joshua Lee Hunsucker, 35, on Thursday was charged with first-degree murder in the September 2018 death of his . [Milwaukee] Journal Sentinel. Yin S. Over-the-counter cough and cold preparations: Approach to pediatric poisoning. 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. 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. Oh, and even if the persons eyes are red, dont give him or her more eye drops. 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. Many human prescription drugs have a significant potential to be toxic to small animals. Next got in a car accident and died. , 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.. Tetrahydrolozine may cause ocular burning, stinging, dryness, headache, insomnia, dizziness, tremors, palpitations, rebound erythema and congestion. "Central Nervous System Depression Following Accidental Ingestion of Visine Eye Drops." Jennings reportedly admitted to the crime when she was interviewed by deputies, telling them she wanted her stepmother 'gone.'. The Clayton case is the latest involving fatal amounts of ingested tetrahydrozoline. I felt awful, she told Inside Edition. Significance of the imidazoline receptors in toxicology. Rhyee, S. H., Traub, S. J., & Grayzel, J. According to figures provided in an email by the American Association of Poison Control Centers, there were no reported deaths from tetrahydrozoline from 2016 through 2019. COMMON BRAND NAME (S): Eye Drops, Geneye, Opti-Clear, Redness Reliever, Visine, Visine Red Eye Comfort. Aronson JK. Tetrahydrozoline is sold under the following brand names: Note: This list may not be all inclusive. URAC's accreditation program is an independent audit to verify that A.D.A.M. With such severe and potentially deadly risks, it is just not worth the squeeze. Tetrahydrolozine may cause ocular burning, stinging, dryness, headache, insomnia, dizziness, tremors, palpitations, rebound erythema and congestion. Stephen Clayton, a millionaire businessman,lived with his wife in a South Carolina mansion that is a replica of George Washington's Mount Vernon plantation. [Medford, OR] Mail Tribune. An act of spite that forces the victim into making repeated visits to the john is regarded as not only extremely inconveniencing to him, but degrading as well. Tetrahydrozoline Poisoning is the accidental or intentional intake of medication containing tetrahydrozoline. Wolfhagen, F.H.J., et al. Waltham, MA: Elsevier; 2016:793. That's when detectives told Kurczewski about the tetrahydrozoline the . 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 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. This is not an all-inclusive list. 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. If I had an underlying medical condition or if I had gotten a little more of the drug I could have been seriously injured or died.. 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. In young children, serious adverse events can occur from ingesting only a small amount (1 to 2 mL, or several drops) of tetrahydrozoline. There it can get. This article is for information only. Symptoms will be treated as appropriate. Fifty-three cases reported hospitalization due to symptoms including nausea, vomiting, lethargy, tachycardia, decreased respiration, bradycardia, hypotension, hypertension, sedation, somnolence,. A woman is accused of poisoning her husband with over-the-counter eye drops, which led to his death, according to cops. Jennings later told investigators that the woman had ingested about five bottles worth of Visine that day. Even a small ingestion can cause clinical signs of vomiting, lethargy/depression or . 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. 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. This article is for information only. It may be mild in some and severe in others. 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. Opinions expressed by Forbes Contributors are their own. 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. It matters not if actual harm results from the attempt the act itself is enough to land one in the hoosegow. The Washington Post. Putting two drops in both eyes six times a day would only equal about one milliliter of fluid. Tetrahydrozoline poisoning occurs when someone accidentally or intentionally swallows this product. 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. Lee BY. This would be considered. The Houston Chronicle. Immediately use thewebPOISONCONTROLonline tool or call 1-800-222-1222. If it is established that a person is a regular drug user, then raise the number of milligrams for MLD by 33%. 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. According to Michael Banks, reporting for the Shelby Star, Hunsucker had resisted an autopsy being done before his wifes body was cremated. Stars and Stripes. Tetryzoline. Journal of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, 29(1), 80-92. Paksu, M. S., Paksu, S., Akkus, T., & Baysal, K. (2012). 16th ed. Program completed entirely in Jacksonville. Generic Name Tetryzoline DrugBank Accession Number DB06764 Background. Both options are free for the public, and available 24 hours a day. (2012). 4 Available since the 1950s, tetryzoline is a selective 1-receptor agonist 5 that is used as an ocular and nasal decongestant. Most cases of poisoning are not criminal, but accidental by children or petswho find the small bottles of odorless, clear solution. 52 VANDERBILT AVE, NEW YORK, NY 10017 USA: INFORMA HEALTHCARE. Prosecutors allege Jennings put about 20 bottles of Visine in her stepmother's tea and coffee over four months. Not your mouth. The comments below have not been moderated, Tragedy as high school track athlete dies after being hit by a discus during competition, Father and daughter plunge hand-in-hand to their deaths from bridge while holding their pet Chihuahua, Ken Bruce finishes his 30-year tenure as host of BBC Radio 2, Insane moment river of rocks falls onto Malibu Canyon in CA, Pavement where disabled woman gestured at cyclist before fatal crash, Pro-Ukrainian drone lands on Russian spy planes exposing location, 'Buster is next!' Visine may cause serious side effects. Teenagers and adults who drink larger amounts may also experience heart rhythm abnormalities and breathing problems that can be life-threatening. In: Aronson JK, ed. In general, overdoses are common situations in the emergency departments. While poisoning symptoms are uncommon after applying the drops to the eyes, these agents can produce significant poisoning if taken orally. WOIO-TV [Cleveland]. Some individuals may have long-lasting complications if multiple organs are damaged by the drug. Clinical Pediatrics. Tetrahydrozoline hydrochloride | C13H17ClN2 | CID 10648 - structure, chemical names, physical and chemical properties, classification, patents, literature, biological . 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). 16 September 2008. Since blood is red, unless you are Vulcan, less blood may mean less redness. (Photo: Getty Images). The desire for revenge runs deep in all of us. Eyedrops and nasal decongestant sprays often contain ingredients intended to reduce eye redness and nasal stuffiness. Dont do most things that he did. Thanks to prompt medical attention the child recovered, but not before enduring intubation and two days' worth of mechanically-assisted breathing. Clinical Toxicology, 52(5), 454-469. Dont crash weddings to hook up with strangers. Meyler's Side Effects of Drugs. Eddy O, Howell JM. Get help online or Call 1-800-222-1222. Seek medical help right away. In: Aronson JK, ed. In the South Carolina case, the traces of tetrahydrozoline were found in Mr. Claytons body during the autopsy, the warrant said. A typical bottle of eye drops contains anywhere from 15 to 30 milliliters of solution. InTech. The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. Tetrahydrozoline poisoning occurs when someone accidentally or intentionally swallows this product. Givens, Ann. by Roberto Machado Noa/LightRocket via Getty Images). A North Carolina paramedic allegedly murdered his wife by poisoning her with Visine. 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. Some individuals may have long-lasting complications if multiple organs are damaged by the drug. 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 Established in 1923, the College of Pharmacy is the oldest college in the UF Academic Health Center. Common signs of poisoning in humans are as follows:-. So if youve got children or very small actors around, make sure that you keep eye drops safe and secure. 7, pp. Take the container with you to the hospital, if possible. The smaller the body size, the less thats needed to cause major problems and even be life threatening. 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 .