What is in your everyday eye drops and nasal sprays?

 

 

Tetrahydrozoline (teh-trah-high-DRAHZ-ah-leen) Hydrochloride

• Molecular formula: C₁₃H₁₆N₂, HCl _[9]
• Molecular weight: 236.7 g/mol _[9]
• CAS #: 522-48-5 _[9]
•  Some properties:
•  White, solid, odorless _[9]
• Soluble in water and alcohol _[9]
• Very slightly soluble in chloroform _[9]
• Insoluble in ether _[9]
• Melting point: 256-257⁰C _[1]
• pH of 5.0-6.5 _[1] 

            Found in only two products, nasal spray and some eye drops. _[9] The chemical is prescribed for treatment of nasal congestion, the nasal congestion α-adrenergic redistribute local blood flow to reduce swelling of the nasal mucosa thus improving ventilation, drainage, and nasal stuffiness. _[5] Also used as an ophthalmic vasoconstrictor to treat Conjuctivitis and minor red and irritated eyes by constricting swollen blood vessels in the eye, which reduces redness since irritants cause blood vessels to swell. _[10] However, the overuse can lead to a rebound effect of congestion and redness because the effects of the vasoconstrictor becomes lessen. This can lead to red and dry eyes more frequently. _[1]

                This Chemical has another notorious reputation, it’s used as a poison and as a drug-facilitated sexual assault drug; this idea came about when the Wedding Crasher Movie came out. _{[8 & 12]} Examples, Samantha Elizabeth Unger was arrested in 2014 after poisoning both kids with Visine eye drops. _[3]Then, Shayne Carpenter was charged 2013 with domestic violence and poisoning his girlfriend with eye drops. _[2] Vickie Jo Mills arrested 2012 for poisoning boyfriend since June 2009 using Visine eye drops. _[4] Lastly, two females were reported being sexual assault after being poison by Visine eye drops and Tetrahydrozoline Hydrochloride was found in their urine not blood during testing. _[7]

                Toxicity of the chemical is ½ tsp can lead to poisoning in a 1 year old child and the minimal lethal dosage for a 2 year old child is 5mg/kg. _[6] It is so toxic that 2 -5mL may lead to coma in children. _[12] Some symptoms of poisoning are: Vomiting and nausea, accelerated heartbeat, seizures, headaches, difficulty Breathing, blurry vision, loss of consciousness and memory. _{[7 & 12]}

 References

1. Heckelman, P., Obenchain, J., O'Neil, M. & Smith, A. (2001). The Merck Index: An Encyclopedia of Chemicals, Drugs, & Biologicals. (13ed. p 9295). Whitehouse Station. New Jersey: Merck & co., Inc.
2. iScience Time Staff. Visine Poisoning: Shayne Carpenter Arrested: What are Visine Poisoning Symptoms?. (2013, March 11). International Science Times. Retireved Octover 28, 2014 from http://www.isciencetimes.com/articles.4671/20130311/visine-poisoning-shyane-carpenter-arrested-symptoms.htm
3. Jackson, C. (2014, July 2). Mom Arrested After Poisoning Both Kids with Visine Eye Drops. Liberty Voice Boldly Inclusive. Retrieved October 28, 2014 from htttp://guardianlv.com/2014/07/mom-arrested-after-poisoning-both-kids-with-visine-eye-drops/
4. Kindelan, K. (2012, August 14). Woman Admits to Poisoning Boyfriend With Visine Deops. abc News. Retrieved Octover 28, 2014 from http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/headlines/2012/08/woman-admits-to-poisoning-boyfriend-with-visine-drops
5. Naphazoline. (2005). In S.C. Sweetman. (Eds.). Martindale: The Complete Drug Reference. (34 ed., p 1124-1125). London, England: Pharmaceutical Press    
6. Rossoff, I. S. (2002). Encyclopedia of Clinical Toxicology: A Comprehensive Guide & Reference. New York, USA: The Parthenon Publishing Group
7. Spiller, H., & Siewert, D. (2011). Drug-Facilitated Sexual Assault Using Tetrahydrozoline. Journal of Forensic Sciences, 57(3), 835-838.
8. Starr, K. (2013, July 23). Nothing Funny about so-called ‘Visine Prank’ says pharmacist. Waterloo Region Record. Retrieved on October 27, 2014 from http://www.therecord.com/news-story/3906013-nothing-funny-about-so-called-visine-prank-says-pharmacist/
9. Tetrahydrozoline Hydrochloride. (2005). In S.C. Sweetman. (Eds.). Martindale: The Complete Drug Reference. (34 ed., p1137). London, England: Pharmaceutical Press
10. Tetrahydrozoline Hydrochloride. (2012). In Mosby’s Dictionary of Medicine, Nursing, & Health Professions. Retrieved on October 26, 2014 from http://library.mtroyal.ca:2330/content/entry/ehsmosbymed/tetrahydrozoline_hydrochloride/0?searchId=57bd7cea-6227-11e4-81f8-0aea1e24c1ac&result=
11. Tetrahydrozoline hydrochloride. (n.d.). PubChem: Open Chemistry Database. Retrieved October 26, 2014 from http://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov//compound/10648?from=summary#section=Top
12. Medline Plus. (2013, March 15).Tetrahydrozoline Ophthalmic: Medline Plus Drug Information. Retrieved October 28, 2014 from http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/meds/a682563.htm