Tobias, Joseph. 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 . URAC's accreditation program is an independent audit to verify that A.D.A.M. 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. Her husband, Stephen Clayton, ended up passing away after three days. 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. Wolfhagen, F.H.J., et al. King World Productions Inc. 2023 Inside Edition Inc. and CBS interactive Inc., Paramount companies. Symptoms will be treated as appropriate. And do not put eye drops in anyones drink, even just a few drops to prank someone. Hemlock or Conium is a highly toxic flowering plant indigenous to Europe and South Africa. The health care provider will measure and monitor the person's vital signs, including temperature, pulse, breathing rate, and blood pressure. 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. Call 911 right away if the individual collapses, has a seizure, has trouble breathing, or can't be awakened. Clinical Pediatrics. Tetrahydrozoline poisoning occurs when someone accidentally or intentionally swallows this product. They said they are "shocked and mortified by the cause of Steven's death All our family and friends know how much he loved his wife and how devoted he was to her. Take the container with you to the hospital, if possible. Flynn, George. 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. Aronson JK. Steve and Lana Clayton lived . [New York] Newsday. There it can get. In addition to death, ingesting tetrahydrozoline can cause "drowsiness, slow breathing or absence of breathing, slow heartbeat, hypothermia and possibly even coma." After his wife's death,. 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. Products containing tetrahydrozoline can interact with many prescription drugs. 16th ed. Visine is clearly labeled for external use only and should never be swallowed., This is a BETA experience. The active ingredient in Visine eye drops is Tetrahydrozoline HCI 0.05%. Tetryzoline is found in a wide array of over-the-counter . Answered Apr 20, 2022. 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. 2020 Jan 17. Visit MyUFHealth to get an estimate for your cost for the most common medical procedures. This would not be a good prank. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. You could kill the person. Police say she poisoned him- with eye drops. 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. Clinical rotations in all the major disciplines are provided for UFCOM undergraduate medical students and elective rotations to students from other accredited schools. 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. Remember that movies are not the same as real life: these products do not cause diarrhea, but they may cause life-threatening health issues and even death after people drink them. 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. To avoid mishap one probably ought to take 150% the minimum lethal dose. No, she didnt just have bad aim. 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. Find patient medical information for tetrahydrozoline ophthalmic (eye) on WebMD including its uses, side effects and safety, interactions, pictures, warnings and user ratings. In: Burns MM, ed. Eye drops designed to treat rednessare not intended to be consumed orally. As a subscriber, you have 10 gift articles to give each month. All medications can have side effects. Medical Toxicology Physician, Call Then his wife admitted to poisoning his water with eye drops. Of all the Visine poisoning cases studied by medical observers, we found none that mentioned diarrheal output brought about by the drug. She was hospitalized with a multitude of symptoms, but fortunately survived. The chemical is found in Visine, Murine Plus, Altazine, Clarine and some other over-the-counter eye drops, according to Drugs.com. 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. Always read the label before using any over-the-counter (OTC) product. Program completed entirely in Jacksonville. She had suffered from PTSD attributed to domestic abuse, he said. Ms. Internally they also induce vasoconstriction (as Toxnet calls it). Dont crash weddings to hook up with strangers. In 1996, a two-year-old child who ingested at most 2 to 3 mL of Visine eye drops became dangerously lethargic and unresponsive to every stimulus except deep pain. 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. When used in high amounts or when ingested, tetrahydrozoline can also cause sleepiness, low blood pressure, and a dangerously slow heart rate. The UF College of Pharmacy-Jacksonville offers a four-year Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.) Students rotate through the various clinical settings on the campus, and primary care centers and specialty care centers located throughout Jacksonville. In the 2005 comedy "Wedding Crashers," Owen Wilson's character puts a few eye drops in the drink of love rival Sack Lodge, played byBradley Cooper. Tetrahydrozoline is a form of a medicine called imidazoline, which is found in over-the-counter eye drops and nasal sprays. J Emerg Med. North County Gazette. General approach to drug poisoning in adults. Stars and Stripes. Dont do what the Owen Wilson character did in the movie Wedding Crashers. DO NOT make a person throw up unless told to do so by poison control or a health care professional. 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 She killed him with eye drops. It can also lead to a drop in body temperature, a coma, and, of course, death. DO NOT use it to treat or manage an actual poison exposure. For additional information visit Linking to and Using Content from MedlinePlus. "Pa. Woman Gets 2-4 Years for Poisoning Man with Visine." Toxicology tests showed the woman had a fatal dose of tetrahydrozoline . A woman is accused of poisoning her husband with over-the-counter eye drops, which led to his death, according to cops. 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. 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. A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, for Health Content Provider (www.urac.org). 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. DO NOT make a person throw up unless told to do so by poison control or a health care professional. Lana Sue Clayton in a 2018 booking photo. Products like Visine contain tetrahydrozoline HCI, according to http://Healthguidance.org, and this substance is known to cause diarrhea, nausea, severe breathing difficulty, respiratory failure, tremors, blurred vision, seizures, coma and even death. Consuming tetrahydrozoline has several unpleasant symptoms, none of which typically include diarrhea. (Photo [+] by Roberto Machado Noa/LightRocket via Getty Images). That is why we provide online Continuing Medical Education (CME) courses for you to complete for CME credits. J Emerg Med. DO NOT use it to treat or manage an actual poison exposure. Tetrahydrozoline or tetryzoline is an alpha agonist (substances that help blood vessel constriction) found in certain eye drops and nasal solutions. In Clinical Toxicology (Vol. 20:09 GMT 22 Mar 2013. Why do my eyes burn after using eye drops? You dont want them putting even a few milliliters of the stuff into their mouths. Since blood is red, unless you are Vulcan, less blood may mean less redness. 52 VANDERBILT AVE, NEW YORK, NY 10017 USA: INFORMA HEALTHCARE. follows rigorous standards of quality and accountability. Wahi, M. M., Stone, K. V., Chance, M., & Miller, C. E. (2017). I felt awful, she told Inside Edition. This medicine may be used for other purposes; ask your health care provider or pharmacist if you have questions. 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. 25.1K subscribers Lana Sue Clayton used Visine eye drops to poison her husband, Steven Clayton. We are no longer accepting comments on this article. Tetrahydrozoline is sold under the following brand names: Note: This list may not be all inclusive. Putting two drops in both eyes six times a day would only equal about one milliliter of fluid. UF Health scientist lands first-ever NIH grant for a rare disorder devastating UF Health joins national effort to improve patient outcomes. DO NOT make a person throw up unless told to do so by poison control or a health care professional. In 2012, 56-year-old Byron Shull spiked the milk of his 84-year-old father with Visine drops "because he thought his dad was mean and wanted to make him pay." Dont say that people use only 10% of their hearts when you reveal only 10% of your true identity. 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. Tetrahydrozoline is a chemical thats in many of these drops. This page was last edited on 6 February 2023, at 16:47 (UTC). Everyone who has ever been wronged has at one time or another felt the urge to strike a counterblow. It reduces redness in the eye caused by minor eye irritations. The following information is helpful for emergency assistance: However, DO NOT delay calling for help if this information is not immediately available. The mouth may have a metallic taste and the breath emits a garlic type of odor. 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. 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. Alpha-2 Adrenergic and Imidazoline Receptor Agonists: Clonidine, Dexmedetomidine, and Related Antihypertensives, Decongestants, and Sedatives. Lasala, G. S., Vearrier, D., Boroughf, W. J., & Osterhoudt, K. C. (2014, August). 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 ]. Waltham, MA: Elsevier; 2016:793. Butin real life, the prank is no laughing matter. 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 As the two cases demonstrated, even relatively small amounts can be toxic. Nardo, Melissa. 9 January 2009. 2003 Oct;25(3):297-302. Editorial team. Get ophthalmologist-reviewed tips and information about eye health and preserving your vision. On Thursday, Lana Sue Clayton was sentenced to 25-years in prison for voluntary manslaughter. Snejana Farberov Ms. Clayton had originally been charged with murder after her arrest in August 2018, the arrest warrant said. If you are uncertain, call your veterinarian or an . Meyler's Side Effects of Drugs. It then grabs onto the surface of your cat's red blood cells in the spots normally used to carry oxygen to the tissues. 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). 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. Adverts are the main source of Revenue for DoveMed. In: Aronson JK, ed. Tetryzoline. Both options are free for the public, and available 24 hours a day. Knowles H. Officials said he died in a fall. I am a writer, journalist, professor, systems modeler, computational and digital health expert, avocado-eater, and entrepreneur, not always in that order. The active ingredient in eye drops such as Visine is tetrahydrozoline HCI. Yin S. Over-the-counter cough and cold preparations: Approach to pediatric poisoning. Tetrahydrozoline poisoning Tetrahydrozoline is a form of a medicine called imidazoline, which is found in over-the-counter eye drops and nasal sprays. When any ingestion is accompanied by ETOH (ethyl alcohol), it increases the toxicity level by approx 50%. 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. 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. 1-800-222-1222 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. 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. All local poison control centers in the United States use this national number. 16th ed. 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. 's editorial policy editorial process and privacy policy. Also offered on campus is an American Society of Health-System Pharmacists-accredited pharmacy residency program at Shands Jacksonville. Alcohol. Its use in greater than recommended doses may cause hypertension, bradycardia, rebound hypotension, and possibly arrhythmias. If swallowed,the medication can cause illness and even death. 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. state Department of Insurance said when announcing his arrest last month. 17:24 GMT 22 Mar 2013 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. Tetrahydrozoline is a form of a medicine called imidazoline, which is found in over-the-counter eye drops and nasal sprays. The signs and symptoms of Tetrahydrozoline Poisoning can vary from one individual to another. Many human prescription drugs have a significant potential to be toxic to small animals. Tetrahydrozoline is sold under the following brand names: Note: This list may not be all inclusive. October 1996 (Vol. The defendant initially pleaded not guilty to the charge, but had a change of heart this week. In our patient there was an initial hypertension and bradycardia, followed by a persistent orthostatic hypotension. 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 Whileeye dropscan be dangerous if swallowed, experts say the chemical used to get the red out of your eyes is safe when used correctly. Clinical effects from ingestion of tetrahydrozoline have included drowsiness, coma, respiratory depression, bradycardia, hypotension, hypotonia, muscle flaccidity and hypothermia ( 3-6, 9-11 ). Always use eyedrops and decongestant sprays according to the package label; never drink these products. is also a founding member of Hi-Ethics. When consumed orally, tetrahydrozoline passes quickly through the gastrointestinal tract, rapidly reaching the blood and the central nervous system, the article said. Standard operative procedures and auditing for poisoning cases in India. 13 March 2013. Both options are free, expert, and confidential. Reports of significant toxicity from tetrahydrozoline ingestion are unusual but have occured primarily in small children after unintentional ingestion (3-63, 6). Its a different story if eye drops go down your mouth. 4 Available since the 1950s, tetryzoline is a selective 1-receptor agonist 5 that is used as an ocular and nasal decongestant. The stepmother was hospitalized twice with various ailments. 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." Sinoatrial node arrest following tetrahydrozoline ingestion. 19 September 1997 (p. A30). Even a small ingestion can cause clinical signs of vomiting, lethargy/depression or . The girl later told police that she got the idea to use the eye drops as poison from an unrelated news story. (Photo: Getty Images). Munchausen syndrome by proxy due to tetrahydrozoline poisoning. 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. 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. 7 October 2019. 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. Symptoms will be treated as appropriate. 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. Journal of forensic sciences, 57(3), 835-838. 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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. Others in the class who saw the act removed the adulterated beverage before the intended victim could drink it. The Washington Post. Visine may cause serious side effects. He was found dead in the homeon July 21. Please remove adblock to help us create the best medical content found on the Internet. If you or a loved one drank eyedrops or nasal decongestant sprays by accident or on purpose, do not wait for symptoms to occur. The active ingredient in eye drops such as Visine is tetrahydrozoline HCI. Some common symptoms that might point to a poisoning include: Nausea and . The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. Because cats cannot metabolize acetaminophen, it builds up in the blood. 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. The symptoms include, but are. Tetryzoline (also known as tetrahydrozoline) is a drug used in some over-the-counter eye drops and nasal sprays. It is a member of the imidazole family that can serve as decongestants and vasoconstrictors. "If I had an underlying medical condition or if I had gotten a little more of the drug I could have been. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Oh, and even if the persons eyes are red, dont give him or her more eye drops. Most cases of tetrahydrozoline exposure occur in adults, but more than one-fourth of all exposures occur in toddlers (1-2 years of age). Watch out for any symptoms that occur beyond your eyes including a headache, dizziness, anxiety, chest pain, shortness of breath, or irregular heartbeats. To do their thing, such eye drops should go into your, you guessed it, eyes. The cause of death was listed as tetrahydrozoline poisoning and classified as a homicide, not suicide or an accident. "Central Nervous System Depression Following Accidental Ingestion of Visine Eye Drops." Editorial team. In view of the above list, that advice should not be taken lightly. This article is for information only. "Urban Legend Almost Kills Dad." 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. The chemical in eye drops, tetrahydrozoline, works great on the eyes, but if swallowed in significant quantities, it can attack the nervous system and be deadly. 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.. COMMON BRAND NAME (S): Eye Drops, Geneye, Opti-Clear, Redness Reliever, Visine, Visine Red Eye Comfort. Several systems of the body, such as the respiratory system, digestive system, nervous system, and ENT may be affected. Many of these types of OTC products do not have child-resistant closures, so they should be stored out of the reach of children. On November 16, the victim was hospitalized with decreased body temperature, stomach aches, swings in blood pressure, blurred vision, tremors and bleeding. 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. Apparently, her death had a sweetheart of an insurance pay-out: $250,000. Unintentional pediatric ophthalmic tetrahydrozoline ingestion: case files of the medical toxicology fellowship at the University of California, San Francisco. Seems they use the eye medication Visine for a little Montezuma's revenge. Further, any substance ingested in a sufficient quantity can likewise be toxic. In: Burns MM, ed. Dont say that people use only 10% of their hearts when you reveal only 10% of your true identity. Together we care for our patients and our communities. Dont crash weddings to hook up with strangers. Such interactions may enhance the therapeutic effects of the drug or other medications being taken, resulting in undesired side effects (such as an overdose). 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