", 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. Included in the symptoms are vomiting, blurred vision, rapid heartbeat, and difficulty breathing. 19 June 2009. ", In June 2009, Denise Moyer of Wells, Vermont, was arrested for third degree assault after police confirmed she'd spiked a. A., & Brown, J. T. (2014). The active component in Visine eye drops is tetrahydrozoline. 52, No. 25.1K subscribers Lana Sue Clayton used Visine eye drops to poison her husband, Steven Clayton. Sometimes poison doesn't cause any symptoms. Clinical rotations in all the major disciplines are provided for UFCOM undergraduate medical students and elective rotations to students from other accredited schools. The cause of death was listed as tetrahydrozoline poisoning and classified as a homicide, not suicide or an accident. Your membership is the foundation of our sustainability and resilience. Eyedrops and nasal decongestant sprays often contain ingredients intended to reduce eye redness and nasal stuffiness. Symptoms Symptoms may include: Altered mental state Coma (lack of responsiveness) Difficulty breathing or no breathing Blurred vision Blue lips and fingernails 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. 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. All Rights Reserved. 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 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). Thats why you dont typically eat your contact lens. Prosecutors allege Jennings put about 20 bottles of Visine in her stepmother's tea and coffee over four months. 13 March 2013. Stars and Stripes. 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. Woman Used Eye Drops to Kill Husband, Court Says, https://www.nytimes.com/2020/01/17/us/visine-eye-drop-poisoning.html. 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. (Photo: Getty Images). This medicine may be used for other purposes; ask your health care provider or pharmacist if you have questions. It is a member of the imidazole family that can serve as decongestants and vasoconstrictors. Forbes. Therefore, if you do have red eyes, dont just use eye drops without first trying to figure out the cause. It matters not if actual harm results from the attempt the act itself is enough to land one in the hoosegow. Tetryzoline. Call 911 right away if the individual collapses, has a seizure, has trouble breathing, or can't be awakened. When a bottle of product containing imidazolines is chewed, it can result in severe poisoning in pets - even death, when untreated. 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. 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. 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. This material may not be reproduced without permission. Aronson JK. Also, dont believe the full-of-poop claims that such eyes drops can be a way of giving someone explosive diarrhea. Stop using Visine and call your doctor at once if you have: ongoing or worsening eye redness; eye pain; changes in your vision; 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. Editorial team. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. 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. The Clayton case is the latest involving fatal amounts of ingested tetrahydrozoline. DO NOT use it to treat or manage an actual poison exposure. Waltham, MA: Elsevier; 2016:793. Sure, some causes of red eyes may be relatively benign. The Houston Chronicle. 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 [Medford, OR] Mail Tribune. There are certainly other better ways of giving someone explosive diarrhea, not that you should ever try to give someone such misery. Eye drops designed to treat rednessare not intended to be consumed orally. A criminal complaint accuses Jessy R. Kurczewski, 36, of using eye drops to poison her friend Lynn Hernan at her Pewaukee, Wisconsin home. Reports of significant toxicity from tetrahydrozoline ingestion are unusual but have occured primarily in small children after unintentional ingestion (3-63, 6). As a subscriber, you have 10 gift articles to give each month. General information: Symptoms of poisoning may even occur after several hours; therefore medical observation for at least 48 hours after the accident. Swallowing this substance can result in a number of nasty effects, including: Lowering body temperature to dangerous levels Can you combine glaucoma drops to eliminate need for two doses? It may be mild in some and severe in others. International Society of Refractive Surgery. Lowry, J. Read More. The health care provider will measure and monitor the person's vital signs, including temperature, pulse, breathing rate, and blood pressure. While poisoning symptoms are uncommon after applying the drops to the eyes, these agents can produce significant poisoning if taken orally. Dr. D talks about tetrahydrozoline (the active ingredient in many over the counter eye drops) and. 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. 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. Answered Apr 20, 2022. Get ophthalmologist-reviewed tips and information about eye health and preserving your vision. In Patient Centered Medicine. The person may receive: Survival past 24 hours is usually a good sign that the person will recover.Some individuals may have long-lasting complications if multiple organs are damaged by the drug. 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. . Jennings later told investigators that the woman had ingested about five bottles worth of Visine that day. , 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.. 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. 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. Meyler's Side Effects of Drugs. The following information is helpful for emergency assistance: However, DO NOT delay calling for help if this information is not immediately available. 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. 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. If needed, administer mouth-to-mouth resuscitation and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). 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. Vaso stands for vessel as in blood vessel and constrictor means make more narrow. When blood vessels become more narrow, less blood can flow through them. According to Michael Banks, reporting for the Shelby Star, Hunsucker had resisted an autopsy being done before his wifes body was cremated. Instead, loosen any tight clothing that they may be wearing, such as a belt, a necktie, skinny jeans, or a Black Widows costume. 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. "Pa. Woman Gets 2-4 Years for Poisoning Man with Visine." Always read the label before using any over-the-counter (OTC) product. Tomassoni, A. J. This is a free and confidential service. The person may receive: Survival past 24 hours is usually a good sign that the person will recover. Tetrahydrozoline or tetryzoline is an alpha agonist (substances that help blood vessel constriction) found in certain eye drops and nasal solutions. She was hospitalized with a multitude of symptoms, but fortunately survived. Next got in a car accident and died. The UF College of Dentistry is the only public-funded dental school in Florida and is recognized as one of the top U.S. dental schools for the quality of its educational programs, oral health research enterprise and commitment to patient care and service. Oh, and even if the persons eyes are red, dont give him or her more eye drops. Her husband, Stephen Clayton, ended up passing away after three days. Pl drop the argument as it. Symptoms of an overdose of tetrahydrozoline include drowsiness, slow breathing or absence of breathing, slow heartbeat, hypothermia and possibly even coma. Frequent numbness, tingling or a pins-and-needles sensation, usually in the hands. 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. An addiction and pain medicine Nondiscrimination and Accessibility Notice, 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, they were forced to leave a bar by the person who posioned them. The following information is helpful for emergency assistance: However, DO NOT delay calling for help if this information is not immediately available. More than 100 of these products contain an ingredient, tetrahydrozoline, that is similar to a commonly used blood pressure-lowering medication called clonidine. 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. Nunnally, Derrick. Learn more about A.D.A.M. A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, for Health Content Provider (www.urac.org). Many of these types of OTC products do not have child-resistant closures, so they should be stored out of the reach of children. . . Tetrahydrozoline is a form of a medicine called imidazoline, which is found in over-the-counter eye drops and nasal sprays. All local poison control centers in the United States use this national number. DO NOT use it to treat or manage an actual poison exposure. Its use in greater than recommended doses may cause hypertension, bradycardia, rebound hypotension, and possibly arrhythmias. Your eyes may be bigger than your stomach, but these body parts are just not the same. Its a different story if eye drops go down your mouth. 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. Sinoatrial node arrest following tetrahydrozoline ingestion. Editorial team. DO NOT make a person throw up unless told to do so by poison control or a health care professional. Symptoms will be treated as appropriate. WOIO-TV [Cleveland]. 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.. It reduces redness in the eye caused by minor eye irritations. I felt awful, she told Inside Edition. ; Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0; additional terms may . Swallowing this substance can result in a number of nasty effects, including: Coma Difficulty breathing or no breathing Blurred vision, change in pupil size Blue lips and fingernails Fast or slow heartbeat, changes in blood pressure (high at first, low later) Headache Interestingly, despite its reputation as a gastrointestinal irritant, diarrhea is not a common side effect of tetrahydrozoline consumption. Acetaminophen. Founded in 1956, the University of Florida College of Nursing is the premier educational institution for nursing in the state of Florida and is ranked in the top 10 percent of all nursing graduate programs nationwide. 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. Further, any substance ingested in a sufficient quantity can likewise be toxic. 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. One drop can be beneficial, one swig can be deadly: tetrahydrozoline intoxication. But most importantly dont put Visine eye drops in someones drink. 20 February 2002. There it can get. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. You can call for any reason, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Reza, H.G. Apparently, her death had a sweetheart of an insurance pay-out: $250,000. Take the container with you to the hospital, if possible. Symptoms will be treated as appropriate. Tetrahydrozoline Poisoning is the accidental or intentional intake of medication containing tetrahydrozoline. You should call if you have any questions about poisoning or poison prevention. Please remove adblock to help us create the best medical content found on the Internet. 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. Ginger Watson knows what it is like to be poisoned by eye drops. 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 . The stepmother was hospitalized twice with various ailments. Program completed entirely in Jacksonville. I felt awful," she told Inside Edition. UpToDate.Topic 16258 Version 15.0, November 2020. October 1996 (Vol. Most cases of tetrahydrozoline exposure occur in adults, but more than one-fourth of all exposures occur in toddlers (1-2 years of age). Poisoning with eyedrops is also the plot line of an episode of the CBS drama "CSI": There is tetrahydrozoline in the victim's drink. Tetryzoline was patented in 1954, and came into medical use in 1959. . The symptoms include, but are. "Man Allegedly Poisons Woman with Visine Eye Drops." 2003 Oct;25(3):297-302. Dont do what the Owen Wilson character did in the movie Wedding Crashers. However, make sure that the redness is not from something more serious like a bad allergic reaction, an infection, glaucoma, or a harpoon. Flynn, George. If you are uncertain, call your veterinarian or an . 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. Many of these types of OTC products do not have child-resistant closures, so they should be stored out of the reach of children. Updated by: Jacob L. Heller, MD, MHA, Emergency Medicine, Emeritus, Virginia Mason Medical Center, Seattle, WA. If you or a loved one drank eyedrops or nasal decongestant sprays by accident or on purpose, do not wait for symptoms to occur. Take the container with you to the hospital, if possible. Alexis Jennings, of Natrona County, entered the plea Thursday . 16th ed. 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. Clayton's family released a statement on the allegations against his wife. When consumed orally, tetrahydrozoline passes quickly through the gastrointestinal tract, rapidly reaching the blood and the central nervous system, the article said. Thanks to prompt medical attention the child recovered, but not before enduring intubation and two days' worth of mechanically-assisted breathing. A North Carolina paramedic allegedly murdered his wife by poisoning her with Visine. Clayton, you sure have tangled this one up, he said. In an online newsletter, titled Red-Eye Drops: Poisonous to Drink, Safe If Used Correctly, it said that intentionally or accidentally drinking eye drops could lead to toxic blood levels. Automobile fluids. It could be from seasonal allergies, being tired, or smoking marijuana, for example. In young children, serious adverse events can occur from ingesting only a small amount (1 to 2 mL, or several drops) of tetrahydrozoline. 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. The girlfriend later discovered that Carpenter had been texting his friends to boast about the eye drops prank and called the police on him. Symptoms will be treated as appropriate. This article is for information only. 52 VANDERBILT AVE, NEW YORK, NY 10017 USA: INFORMA HEALTHCARE. Everyone who has ever been wronged has at one time or another felt the urge to strike a counterblow. Since blood is red, unless you are Vulcan, less blood may mean less redness. Tetryzoline (also known as tetrahydrozoline) is a drug used in some over-the-counter eye drops and nasal sprays. This symptom is a precursor to difficulty speaking. North County Gazette. Dont say that people use only 10% of their hearts when you reveal only 10% of your true identity. Yin S. Over-the-counter cough and cold preparations: Approach to pediatric poisoning. When consumed orally, tetrahydrozoline passes quickly through the gastrointestinal tract, rapidly reaching the blood and the central nervous system. Imidazolines (like oxymetazoline and tetrahydrozoline) are commonly found in over-the-counter eye drops and nasal sprays. Munchausen syndrome by proxy due to tetrahydrozoline poisoning. Yet if Visine doesn't cause diarrhea, it has done things far more terrible. Some common symptoms that might point to a poisoning include: Nausea and . In exchange, prosecutors have agreed to recommend a sentence of up to four years in the Wyoming Women's Center. Dont do most things that he did. DO NOT make a person throw up unless told to do so by poison control or a health care professional. 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. Seems they use the eye medication Visine for a little Montezuma's revenge. She had suffered from PTSD attributed to domestic abuse, he said. Rani, M., & Murty, O. P. (2012). Butin real life, the prank is no laughing matter. Seek immediate medical attention.. Journal of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, 29(1), 80-92. Kelly Johnson-Arbor, MD Because cats cannot metabolize acetaminophen, it builds up in the blood. 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. The active ingredient in Visine eye drops is Tetrahydrozoline HCl 0.05%. Together we create unstoppable momentum. Young children who consume small amounts of tetrahydrozoline (as little as one-half of one teaspoon) can develop sleepiness and difficulty breathing. Stop using such eye drops and call your doctor if you experience any other eye symptoms such as pain, changes in vision, pupil dilation, or excessively watery eyes when you are not watching the movie The Notebook. 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. 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. Tetrahydrozoline is sold under the following brand names: Note: This list may not be all inclusive. When any ingestion is accompanied by ETOH (ethyl alcohol), it increases the toxicity level by approx 50%. In: Burns MM, ed. Visine is clearly labeled for external use only and should never be swallowed.. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. 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. Loosen tight clothing such as a collar, tie, belt or waistband. 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. While poisoning symptoms are uncommon after applying the drops to the eyes, these agents can produce significant poisoning if taken orally. 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. 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