DO NOT make a person throw up unless told to do so by poison control or a health care professional. 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. Tomassoni, A. J. Snejana Farberov Always read the label before using any over-the-counter (OTC) product. Seek medical help right away. The desire for revenge runs deep in all of us. The following information is helpful for emergency assistance: However, DO NOT delay calling for help if this information is not immediately available. Seek immediate medical attention.. Dont say wow so often. A., & Brown, J. T. (2014). Both options are free, expert, and confidential. 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. 2020 Jan 17. Tetrahydrozoline is sold under the following brand names: Note: This list may not be all inclusive. Jacob L. Heller, MD, MHA, Emergency Medicine, Emeritus, Virginia Mason Medical Center, Seattle, WA. 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. Are one or two dangerous? In: Aronson JK, ed. If it is established that a person is a regular drug user, then raise the number of milligrams for MLD by 33%. 20:09 GMT 22 Mar 2013. Significance of the imidazoline receptors in toxicology. If swallowed,the medication can cause illness and even death. 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 products contain the active ingredients tetrahydrozoline, naphazoline, or oxymetazoline. Frequent numbness, tingling or a pins-and-needles sensation, usually in the hands. It matters not if actual harm results from the attempt the act itself is enough to land one in the hoosegow. All Rights Reserved. Alexis Jennings, of Natrona County, entered the plea Thursday in state district court. The cause of death was listed as tetrahydrozoline poisoning and classified as a homicide, not suicide or an accident. If you or a loved one drank eyedrops or nasal decongestant sprays by accident or on purpose, do not wait for symptoms to occur. Reza, H.G. 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. 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. New York Eye and Ear Infirmary of Mount Sinai, The Blavatnik Family Chelsea Medical Center, Heart - Cardiology and Cardiovascular Surgery, Mount Sinai Center for Asian Equity and Professional Development, Preparing for Surgery and Major Procedures, 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). Tetrahydrozoline poisoning Tetrahydrozoline is a form of a medicine called imidazoline, which is found in over-the-counter eye drops and nasal sprays. 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 ]. Hemlock or Conium is a highly toxic flowering plant indigenous to Europe and South Africa. 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. 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. Eye drops go in your eyes. 1995 - 2023 by Snopes Media Group Inc. Journal of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, 29(1), 80-92. "Central Nervous System Depression Following Accidental Ingestion of Visine Eye Drops." 7 October 2019. The active component in Visine eye drops is tetrahydrozoline. 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. 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. It was a popular one with the ancient Greeks, who used it to kill off their prisoners. Apparently, her death had a sweetheart of an insurance pay-out: $250,000. 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. In: Burns MM, ed. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. In Clinical Toxicology (Vol. Death comes in the form of paralysis-your mind is wide awake, but . While poisoning symptoms are uncommon after applying the drops to the eyes, these agents can produce significant poisoning if taken orally. Call 911 right away if the individual collapses, has a seizure, has trouble breathing, or can't be awakened. Tetrahydrozoline is a chemical thats in many of these drops. Although this belief has been around for decades, and everyone knows someone who knows someone who really did administer a Visine mickey to a deserving miscreant and thereby caused him an immediate serious case of the trots, there's no documented evidence the producthas that effect. Jennings reportedly admitted to the crime when she was interviewed by deputies, telling them she wanted her stepmother 'gone.'. In the past two years, there have been three separate criminal cases involving Visine. The stepmother was hospitalized twice with various ailments. "Woman Charged with Assault by Visine Eye Drops." Ginger Watson knows what it is like to be poisoned by eye drops. Clayton, you sure have tangled this one up, he said. 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. Lee BY. In February, a 33-year-old Pennsylvania woman was sentenced to four years in prison after admitting that she had put the medicine into her boyfriend's drinking water a dozen times since 2009. His wife claimed he had succumbed to a fatal fall. 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. state Department of Insurance said when announcing his arrest last month. 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. Dont crash weddings to hook up with strangers. You could kill the person. The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. Students rotate through the various clinical settings on the campus, and primary care centers and specialty care centers located throughout Jacksonville. The former Veterans Affairs nurse and South Carolina resident had pleaded guilty of putting Visine eye drops in her husbands drink. A few drops of Visine brand eye drops taken internally will induce uncontrollable diarrhea. Imidazolines (like oxymetazoline and tetrahydrozoline) are commonly found in over-the-counter eye drops and nasal sprays. The signs and symptoms of Tetrahydrozoline Poisoning can vary from one individual to another. "Severe Nausea and Vomiting with Timolol Eye Drops." Tetrahydrozoline poisoning occurs when someone accidentally or intentionally swallows this product. Tetryzoline. URL of this page: //medlineplus.gov/ency/article/002590.htm. stinging or burning of the eye blurred vision increased eye redness or irritation If you experience any of the following symptoms, stop using tetrahydrozoline eye drops and call your doctor immediately: headache sweating fast or irregular heartbeat nervousness Help is available online with web POISON CONTROL or by phone at 1-800-222-1222. Visine may cause serious side effects. The UF College of Pharmacy-Jacksonville offers a four-year Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.) Reviewed by: Jacob L. Heller, MD, MHA, Emergency Medicine, Emeritus, Virginia Mason Medical Center, Seattle, WA. This article is for information only. Not your mouth. 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 How Visine eye drops in the mouth can kill, here are two cases. This is a free and confidential service. She admitted to doing this deliberately and surreptitiously. He was found dead in the homeon July 21. 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. 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. Accessed June 8, 2021. Some individuals may have long-lasting complications if multiple organs are damaged by the drug. 16 September 2008. The Washington Post. The UF College of Nursing continually attracts and retains the highest caliber of nursing students and faculty with a passion for science and caring. InTech. DO NOT use it to treat or manage an actual poison exposure. They will give you further instructions. The mouth may have a metallic taste and the breath emits a garlic type of odor. We are no longer accepting comments on this article. Commonly used drops marketed to reduce redness in the eyes typically contain tetrahydrozoline, which was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 1954 and belongs to a family of drugs called imidazoles. You may opt-out by. 2003 Oct;25(3):297-302. If you stay within these limits, your risk of bad toxicity may be relatively low. North County Gazette. 52, No. Wahi, M. M., Stone, K. V., Chance, M., & Miller, C. E. (2017). Tetryzoline is found in a wide array of over-the-counter . Dont do most things that he did. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Together we create unstoppable momentum. Givens, Ann. 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. Hannah Kirby. Springfield News-Leader. 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. Accessed June 8, 2021. Symptoms of an overdose include drowsiness, slow breathing or absence of breathing, slow heartbeat, hypothermia and possibly even coma, it said. Waltham, MA: Elsevier; 2016:793. There are approximately 130 cases of tetrahydrozoline exposure reported each year to the online poison control toolwebPOISONCONTROL. Aronson JK. These courses share the latest in medical knowledge, teach new patient-relationship skills and help providers deal with relevant current issues. Jennings s is being held on $25,000 bond and will be sentenced at a later date. It does NOT need to be an emergency. I am a writer, journalist, professor, systems modeler, computational and digital health expert, avocado-eater, and entrepreneur, not always in that order. Call poison control and get emergency care as soon as possible. Loosen tight clothing such as a collar, tie, belt or waistband. Clayton's family released a statement on the allegations against his wife. Sinoatrial node arrest following tetrahydrozoline ingestion. According to the material safety data sheet you should NOT induce vomiting and you should do the following: Examine the lips and mouth to ascertain whether the tissues are damaged, a possible indication that the toxic material was ingested; the absence of such signs, however, is not conclusive. The student responsible has been charged with tampering with a drink with intent to cause harm. 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. Eye drops like Visine, Murine Plus,and Clarine are marketed as ways for you to get the red out of your eyes. 13 March 2013. 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. "If I had an underlying medical condition or if I had gotten a little more of the drug I could have been. (Photo [+] by Roberto Machado Noa/LightRocket via Getty Images). While poisoning symptoms are uncommon after applying the drops to the eyes, these agents can produce significant poisoning if taken orally. The health care provider will measure and monitor the person's vital signs, including temperature, pulse, breathing rate, and blood pressure. More than 1,600 cases of oral exposures are reported to United States poison centers annually (1,2). But most importantly dont put Visine eye drops in someones drink. 16th ed. 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. In view of the above list, that advice should not be taken lightly. Symptoms Symptoms may include: Altered mental state Coma (lack of responsiveness) Difficulty breathing or no breathing Blurred vision Blue lips and fingernails Most of us don't indulge in this pursuit because we've deemed the cost of getting even too high to justify the benefits gained, yet we revel in thoughts of comeuppances doled out by others. Yet if Visine doesn't cause diarrhea, it has done things far more terrible. It reduces redness in the eye caused by minor eye irritations. 7 September 1997 (p. A32). In exchange, prosecutors have agreed to recommend a sentence of up to four years in the Wyoming Women's Center. This site complies with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health information: verify here. 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. 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. Ive reached out to Visine and Johnson & Johnson for comment on these cases. 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. Pl drop the argument as it. Dr. D talks about tetrahydrozoline (the active ingredient in many over the counter eye drops) and. I never thought it would kill him.. Associated Press. In young children, serious adverse events can occur from ingesting only a small amount (1 to 2 mL, or several drops) of tetrahydrozoline. 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. And do not put eye drops in anyones drink, even just a few drops to prank someone. Putting two drops in both eyes six times a day would only equal about one milliliter of fluid. . Next got in a car accident and died. 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). Then his wife admitted to poisoning his water with eye drops. We offer a a four-year Doctor of Veterinary Medicine programs as well as M.S. 19 September 1997 (p. A30). To do their thing, such eye drops should go into your, you guessed it, eyes. At the center of the case is the use of the chemical tetrahydrozoline, which is an active ingredient in eye drops that can be purchased without a prescription. She was hospitalized with a multitude of symptoms, but fortunately survived. Symptoms will be treated as appropriate. Yin S. Over-the-counter cough and cold preparations: Approach to pediatric poisoning. Most cases of poisoning are not criminal, but accidental by children or petswho find the small bottles of odorless, clear solution.