Eye Drops: The Laxative Myth

are eye drops a laxative

It is a common misconception that eye drops can be used as a laxative. This idea has been popularised by films and TV series such as *Wedding Crashers*, *I Hope They Serve Beer in Hell* and *Orange Is the New Black*. However, this is just an urban legend. While eye drops will not induce diarrhoea, swallowing them can lead to a range of serious health issues, including nausea, vomiting, seizures, and even death.

Characteristics Values
Are eye drops a laxative? No, this is an urban legend.
What are the dangers of consuming eye drops? Swallowing eye drops can lead to: dangerously low body temperature (hypothermia), difficulty breathing, nausea and vomiting, elevated and then dropped blood pressure, seizures or tremors, coma, and death.
What should you do if someone has ingested eye drops? Loosen any tight clothing, administer mouth-to-mouth resuscitation and CPR, call poison control, and seek emergency care.
What is an example of a brand of eye drops? Visine, produced by Johnson & Johnson.
What is the active ingredient in Visine? Tetrahydrozoline hydrochloride, a vasoconstrictor that constricts the eye's superficial blood vessels to reduce redness.
What are the legitimate uses of Visine? Visine is used to reduce eye redness and irritation due to allergies or dryness.

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The urban legend about eye drops causing diarrhoea

There is an urban legend that eye drops can be used as a laxative, causing diarrhoea. This is not true. However, it is a myth that has been perpetuated in popular culture, including in the film "I Hope They Serve Beer in Hell" and the television series "Orange Is The New Black". The belief is that the high salt content of eye drops could have a similar effect on the body as Epsom salts, which are known to be a laxative.

The myth about eye drops causing diarrhoea is especially prevalent with the brand Visine. Visine is an over-the-counter eye drop brand manufactured by pharmaceutical giant Pfizer and now owned by Johnson & Johnson. The active ingredient in Visine is tetrahydrozoline hydrochloride, which is a vasoconstrictor that reduces redness in the eyes by constricting the eye's superficial blood vessels. However, if ingested, tetrahydrozoline hydrochloride can cause a range of severe symptoms, including dangerously low body temperature (hypothermia), difficulty breathing, elevated blood pressure followed by sudden low blood pressure, seizures, tremors, and even death.

Despite the dangers of ingesting Visine, there have been multiple cases of people attempting to harm or kill others by putting Visine in their drinks. In some instances, these pranks or malicious attempts have resulted in serious illness or even death. In one case, a two-year-old child ingested a small amount of Visine and became dangerously ill, requiring intubation and mechanical breathing assistance. In another case, a woman in Maryland confessed to poisoning her three-year-old son by putting Visine in his water and juice bottles, resulting in multiple hospitalisations.

While it is true that eye drops, and specifically Visine, can be extremely harmful if ingested, they do not cause diarrhoea as the urban legend suggests. However, the belief in this side effect has led to dangerous situations and even attempts at murder. It is important to remember that eye drops are intended for external use only and should never be ingested.

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The dangers of swallowing eye drops

There is a common misconception that eye drops can be used as a laxative. This is not true. While eye drops will not cause diarrhoea, swallowing them can lead to a host of serious medical issues and even death.

The urban legend

Popular media has perpetuated the myth that a few drops of eye drops in someone's drink will cause explosive diarrhoea. This belief has been around for decades, with many people claiming to know someone who has done this as a prank. This idea has been featured in films such as *Wedding Crashers*, *I Hope They Serve Beer in Hell*, and the TV series *Orange Is the New Black*. However, there is no documented evidence that eye drops have this effect.

The reality

The active ingredient in many eye drops is tetrahydrozoline, a vasoconstrictor that constricts the eye's superficial blood vessels to temporarily reduce redness. Swallowing tetrahydrozoline can have severe consequences, including:

  • Dangerously lowering body temperature (hypothermia)
  • Difficulty breathing or cessation of breathing
  • Elevated blood pressure (hypertension) followed by sudden low blood pressure (hypotension)
  • Seizures and tremors
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Coma
  • Death

What to do if eye drops are ingested

If you or someone you know has swallowed eye drops, do not induce vomiting as this may increase the absorption of the chemicals. Instead, loosen any tight clothing and, if needed, administer CPR. Call poison control or emergency services immediately.

While eye drops may be safe for their intended use, swallowing them can have severe and potentially deadly consequences. It is important to always use eye drops as directed and keep them out of the reach of children.

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The active ingredient in eye drops: tetrahydrozoline

Tetrahydrozoline, also known as tetryzoline, is a drug used in some over-the-counter eye drops and nasal sprays. It was patented in 1954 and came into medical use in 1959. It is a vasoconstrictor, meaning it constricts the eye's superficial blood vessels to temporarily reduce redness caused by minor eye irritants such as smog, swimming, dust, or smoke. It is also used to treat allergic conjunctivitis when combined in a solution with antazoline.

The biological half-life of tetrahydrozoline is approximately 6 hours, and it is excreted in urine, chemically unchanged. It has a range of side effects when used as directed, including blurred vision, eye irritation, and dilated pupils. It is not suitable for prolonged use as its vasoconstrictive effects within the eye eventually decrease or stop. If a tolerance to the drug has developed, ceasing its use may cause a rebound effect and increase redness of the eyes.

Despite its legitimate medical uses, tetrahydrozoline has become infamous due to its association with urban legends and criminal cases. It is the active ingredient in Visine, a popular brand of eye drops. Contrary to the persistent urban legend, ingesting tetrahydrozoline does not cause diarrhoea. However, it can lead to severe and life-threatening medical problems, including seizures, cardiovascular collapse, coma, and death.

There have been multiple high-profile cases where tetrahydrozoline has been used as a poison, either with malicious intent or as a prank. In some instances, individuals have added eye drops containing tetrahydrozoline to another person's food or drink, resulting in serious health consequences, including death. It has also been used as a date rape drug due to its ability to cause dizziness and unconsciousness.

In summary, while tetrahydrozoline is a legitimate and effective medication for treating eye redness and irritation, it is important to use it only as directed and be aware of its potential side effects and dangers if ingested.

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The lethal consequences of eye drops poisoning

Eye drops are not laxatives, but they can have severe and even lethal effects on the human body when ingested. The active ingredient in eye drops such as Visine, tetrahydrozoline hydrochloride, is a vasoconstrictor that constricts the eye's superficial blood vessels to temporarily reduce redness. However, when ingested, it can cause a range of dangerous symptoms, including:

  • Dangerously low body temperature (hypothermia)
  • Difficulty breathing or cessation of breathing
  • Elevated blood pressure (hypertension) followed by sudden low blood pressure (hypotension)
  • Seizures and tremors
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Coma

These symptoms can be life-threatening, and in some cases, have resulted in death. There have been several documented cases of people attempting to harm or kill others by lacing their drinks with eye drops, often with severe consequences. In one case, a woman was sentenced to 25 years in prison for killing her husband by adding eye drops to his drinks. In another instance, a two-year-old child ingested a small amount of eye drops and had to be hospitalized for several days, requiring intubation and mechanically-assisted breathing.

The belief that eye drops can cause diarrhoea is a common urban legend, perpetuated by movies and TV shows. However, this myth has been debunked, and it is important to understand that ingesting eye drops can have severe and potentially fatal consequences.

If you or someone you know has ingested eye drops, it is crucial to seek immediate medical attention or call a poison control centre. Do not delay, as the difference between life and death can be a matter of minutes.

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The Victorian Era

In the 19th century, during the Victorian era, the pursuit of beauty and status often involved dangerous and toxic substances. One aspect of this was the use of belladonna drops in the eyes to achieve the "watery eyes" look, which was associated with consumption or tuberculosis. While this practice could render the user blind over time, it was a sought-after look that signified purity, innocence, and class. This trend exemplifies the lengths to which people were willing to go to achieve their desired appearance, despite the potential harmful side effects.

Modern-Day Television

In more recent times, eye drops have made an appearance in popular culture through television shows. One example is the television program "Eye Drops" on TechTV, which showcased short computer animation movies and clips created using off-the-shelf 3D animation software. While the show claimed to feature various types of animation, the majority of the shorts were CG animations. This representation of eye drops in popular culture showcases their association with creativity, technology, and modern storytelling techniques.

Medical Advancements

The use of eye drops has also been integral in the field of ophthalmology, with a long history dating back to ancient times. Ancient texts such as the Ebers Papyrus, dating back to 1550 BC, describe various eye conditions and treatments, including the use of eye drops made from tortoise brain and cow's blood. Today, eye drops are commonly used to treat a wide range of eye diseases and conditions, from dry eyes and irritation to more serious infections. This medical application of eye drops has improved eye health and treatment worldwide.

Fashion and Self-Expression

In addition to their medical use, eye drops have also been associated with fashion and self-expression. For example, eye drops can be used to alter one's appearance, such as achieving a particular eye colour or creating a specific aesthetic. Additionally, eye drops can be used to enhance or transform one's identity, such as in disguise scenarios, where they can be used to switch between different personas. This representation of eye drops showcases their versatility and impact on personal style and self-expression.

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Frequently asked questions

No, eye drops are not a laxative. However, there is an urban legend that claims that a few drops of Visine eye drops will cause explosive diarrhea. This is not true.

Swallowing eye drops can lead to severe medical problems and even death. The active ingredient in many eye drops, tetrahydrozoline, is a vasoconstrictor that can cause a range of dangerous symptoms when ingested, including lowered body temperature, difficulty breathing, seizures, tremors, and coma.

The belief that eye drops are a laxative may come from the idea that they contain a high concentration of salt. The thinking is that if you drink eye drops, your digestive system will pull water from the rest of your body into your digestive tract, increasing your need to poop. However, this is not true, and eye drops do not cause diarrhea.

No, eye drops are not a prank and should never be ingested. Ingesting eye drops can lead to severe medical problems and even death. It is also important to keep eye drops away from children, as even small amounts can be toxic.

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