In general, sleepiness or drowsiness are symptoms of concern if children particularly those below the age of 6 consume more than 1 milliliter in a day., Clinical pharmacologist and president of PharmaLogic Development, Inc., Gary Novack, PhD, agrees. The symptoms include, but are. Police say she poisoned him- with eye drops. 19 September 1997 (p. A30). Tetra-hi what? There are approximately 130 cases of tetrahydrozoline exposure reported each year to the online poison control toolwebPOISONCONTROL. Eventually, the 35-year-old Hunsucker was arrested on December 19, 2019, and also charged with first degree murder. York County Sheriff's Office, via Associated Press. 2020 Jan 18. Thanks to prompt medical attention the child recovered, but not before enduring intubation and two days' worth of mechanically-assisted breathing. Joshua Lee Hunsucker, 35, on Thursday was charged with first-degree murder in the September 2018 death of his . The defendant initially pleaded not guilty to the charge, but had a change of heart this week. Lana Sue Clayton in a 2018 booking photo. There it can get the drop on you and slow your heart rate and lower your blood pressure to dangerous levels. 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. 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. So if youve got children or very small actors around, make sure that you keep eye drops safe and secure. 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. In young children, serious adverse events can occur from ingesting only a small amount (1 to 2 mL, or several drops) of tetrahydrozoline. 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. Sure, some causes of red eyes may be relatively benign. 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. A Franklin woman allegedly stole thousands of dollars from a family friend she was caring for, fatally poisoned her with eyedrops, and staged the scene to . Ive reached out to Visine and Johnson & Johnson for comment on these cases. With such severe and potentially deadly risks, it is just not worth the squeeze. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. (2012). North County Gazette. [Milwaukee] Journal Sentinel. And do not put eye drops in anyones drink, even just a few drops to prank someone. His wife claimed he had succumbed to a fatal fall. Can eating poppy seeds affect drug test results? To do their thing, such eye drops should go into your, you guessed it, eyes. Visine is clearly labeled for external use only and should never be swallowed., This is a BETA experience. Eye drops go in your eyes. Sometimes poison doesn't cause any symptoms. Eyedrops and nasal decongestant sprays often contain ingredients intended to reduce eye redness and nasal stuffiness. All local poison control centers in the United States use this national number. 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. Then his wife admitted to poisoning his water with eye drops. These courses share the latest in medical knowledge, teach new patient-relationship skills and help providers deal with relevant current issues. is among the first to achieve this important distinction for online health information and services. We report a case of unintentional tetrahydrozoline ingestion with cardiovascular . The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. 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. Ms. Medical Toxicology Physician, Call When consumed orally, tetrahydrozoline passes quickly through the gastrointestinal tract, rapidly reaching the blood and the central nervous system, the article said. If you are uncertain, call your veterinarian or an . 2004 Oct;27(3):313-4. All medications can have side effects. Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. Several systems of the body, such as the respiratory system, digestive system, nervous system, and ENT may be affected. Clonidine and topical imidazolines exposure in toddlers. This national hotline will let you talk to experts in poisoning. Paksu, M. S., Paksu, S., Akkus, T., & Baysal, K. (2012). 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. Clinical Toxicology, 52(5), 454-469. Aronson JK. WRIC-TV [Richmond]. 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. 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.. In June 2014, a 22-year-old woman named Samantha Elizabeth Unger was arrested in Thurmont, Maryland, and charged with aggravated assault and endangering the welfare of children. Dr. D talks about tetrahydrozoline (the active ingredient in many over the counter eye drops) and. Not your mouth. UF Health scientist lands first-ever NIH grant for a rare disorder devastating UF Health joins national effort to improve patient outcomes. We report a case of unintentional . 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. "Man Allegedly Poisons Woman with Visine Eye Drops." 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 UF College of Nursing continually attracts and retains the highest caliber of nursing students and faculty with a passion for science and caring. Meyler's Side Effects of Drugs. 2018 Sep 5. Always read the label before using any over-the-counter (OTC) product. MILWAUKEE Prosecutors have accused a suburban Milwaukee woman of killing her friend by poisoning her with eyedrops. If you stay within these limits, your risk of bad toxicity may be relatively low. (Photo [+] by Roberto Machado Noa/LightRocket via Getty Images). Just look at some recent eye dropping news. Such interactions may enhance the therapeutic effects of the drug or other medications being taken, resulting in undesired side effects (such as an overdose). Always read the label before using any over-the-counter (OTC) product. The active ingredient in Visine eye drops is Tetrahydrozoline HCl 0.05%. The cause of death was listed as tetrahydrozoline poisoning and classified as a homicide, not suicide or an accident. ", In June 2009, Denise Moyer of Wells, Vermont, was arrested for third degree assault after police confirmed she'd spiked a. Tetrahydrozoline poisoning occurs when someone accidentally or intentionally swallows this product. 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. Products containing tetrahydrozoline can interact with many prescription drugs. The products contain the active ingredients tetrahydrozoline, naphazoline, or oxymetazoline. [Medford, OR] Mail Tribune. In the South Carolina case, the traces of tetrahydrozoline were found in Mr. Claytons body during the autopsy, the warrant said. You can thank tetrahydrozoline for helping do this. For example, if the redness is actually blood gushing out of your eyeballs, dont just put Visine on them. The active component in Visine eye drops is tetrahydrozoline. Clayton, you sure have tangled this one up, he said. 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. Tetryzoline was patented in 1954, and came into medical use in 1959. . Dog poisoning symptoms include: Vomiting Lethargy Abdominal pain Loss of appetite Excessive salivation Lack of coordination Bloody urine Causes Overdosing of veterinary pills Consumption of human drugs including but not limited to: Antihistamines Sleeping tablets Diet pills Heart pills Blood pressure pills Ibuprofen Acetaminophen Diagnosis 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. Cats given Tylenol die a slow and painful death as their cells . How Visine eye drops in the mouth can kill, here are two cases. The smaller the body size, the less thats needed to cause major problems and even be life threatening. If tetrahydrozline is in someones drink while drinking alcohol . Editorial team. If swallowed,the medication can cause illness and even death. Yet all is not well in revenge land. 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 While poisoning symptoms are uncommon after applying the drops to the eyes, these agents can produce significant poisoning if taken orally. Unintentional pediatric ophthalmic tetrahydrozoline ingestion: case files of the medical toxicology fellowship at the University of California, San Francisco. 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." Tetrahydrozoline is sold under the following brand names: Note: This list may not be all inclusive. Everyone who has ever been wronged has at one time or another felt the urge to strike a counterblow. Intentionally or accidentally drinking eye drops can lead to toxic blood levels. UpToDate. Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Tetrahydrozoline poisoning occurs when someone accidentally or intentionally swallows this product. Tetrahydrozoline is a form of a medicine called imidazoline, which is found in over-the-counter eye drops and nasal sprays. 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. Reza, H.G. 25.1K subscribers Lana Sue Clayton used Visine eye drops to poison her husband, Steven Clayton. Some individuals may have long-lasting complications if multiple organs are damaged by the drug. No, she didnt just have bad aim. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. She had suffered from PTSD attributed to domestic abuse, he said. "Woman Ordered to Pay Poisoned Roommate's Hospital Bill." Opinions expressed by Forbes Contributors are their own. Even a small ingestion can cause clinical signs of vomiting, lethargy/depression or . If the victim is not breathing, perform mouth-to-mouth resuscitation. 4 Available since the 1950s, tetryzoline is a selective 1-receptor agonist 5 that is used as an ocular and nasal decongestant. 7 September 1997 (p. A32). 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. Editorial team. The health care provider will measure and monitor the person's vital signs, including temperature, pulse, breathing rate, and blood pressure. According to Michael Banks, reporting for the Shelby Star, Hunsucker had resisted an autopsy being done before his wifes body was cremated. Jennings s is being held on $25,000 bond and will be sentenced at a later date. All local poison control centers in the United States use this national number. Al-Abri, S. A., Yang, H. S., & Olson, K. R. (2014). Tips for Anxious Kids and Adults. Sinoatrial node arrest following tetrahydrozoline ingestion. Then theres the case of Joshua Lee Hunsucker, a former paramedic in North Carolina, whos been charged with first degree murder, as described by Mark Price for the Charlotte Observer. Swallowing this substance can result in a number of nasty effects, including: Lowering body temperature to dangerous levels Jacob L. Heller, MD, MHA, Emergency Medicine, Emeritus, Virginia Mason Medical Center, Seattle, WA. You should call if you have any questions about poisoning or poison prevention. 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. Constricting blood vessels in your eyes is how they get the red out.. 7, pp. Hannah Kirby. Yet if Visine doesn't cause diarrhea, it has done things far more terrible. Heres an ABC News segment on the case: As Ryan Miller reported for the Greenville News, 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.. 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). Program completed entirely in Jacksonville. Springfield News-Leader. I never thought it would kill him.. In a scene from the 2005 movie Wedding Crashers, Owen Wilsons character adds eye drops to another characters drink with the intent of causing gastrointestinal discomfort and diarrhea. 16th ed. Topic 16258 Version 15.0, November 2020. TETRAHYDROZOLINE (tet-ra-hye-DROZ-oh-leen) is a decongestant. or. 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. 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. The following information is helpful for emergency assistance: However, DO NOT delay calling for help if this information is not immediately available. Consuming tetrahydrozoline has several unpleasant symptoms, none of which typically include diarrhea. Tetrahydrolozine may cause ocular burning, stinging, dryness, headache, insomnia, dizziness, tremors, palpitations, rebound erythema and congestion. It was a popular one with the ancient Greeks, who used it to kill off their prisoners. 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. Alpha-2 Adrenergic and Imidazoline Receptor Agonists: Clonidine, Dexmedetomidine, and Related Antihypertensives, Decongestants, and Sedatives. Visine may cause serious side effects. This material may not be reproduced without permission. DO NOT use it to treat or manage an actual poison exposure. Approved by: Krish Tangella MD, MBA, FCAP. They will give you further instructions. Associated Press. When a bottle of product containing imidazolines is chewed, it can result in severe poisoning in pets - even death, when untreated. General approach to drug poisoning in adults. All local poison control centers in the United States use this national number. Topic 16258 Version 15.0, November 2020. 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. 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. This article is for information only. 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. 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. (Photo by Sylvain Gaboury/FilmMagic). 7 October 2019. Wolfhagen, F.H.J., et al. Instead, loosen any tight clothing that they may be wearing, such as a belt, a necktie, skinny jeans, or a Black Widows costume. The resulting symptoms are nothing, nothing at all like the Hollywood version of events. However, make sure that the redness is not from something more serious like a bad allergic reaction, an infection, glaucoma, or a harpoon. 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. Yin S. Over-the-counter cough and cold preparations: Approach to pediatric poisoning. Butin real life, the prank is no laughing matter. 's editorial policy editorial process and privacy policy. DO NOT use it to treat or manage an actual poison exposure. Tomassoni, A. J. Foreign objects like batteries and toys. Dont say that people use only 10% of their hearts when you reveal only 10% of your true identity.