The Visine-Laxative Myth: Exploring The Truth

The effectiveness of Visine as a laxative is a dangerous myth. The eye drops became known as a laxative after the 2005 film Wedding Crashers, in which a character puts Visine in a rival's drink. However, the active ingredient in Visine, tetrahydrozoline, does not cause diarrhoea. In fact, consuming Visine can have serious health consequences, including nausea, vomiting, abnormal drowsiness, sedation, low or high blood pressure, difficulty breathing, decreased heart rate, and coma. In some cases, it has even led to death.

The effects of drinking Visine

Visine is a well-known over-the-counter medication that comes in the form of eye drops. It is commonly used to alleviate redness, itchiness, and irritation in the eyes. While it is safe and effective when used as directed, internal consumption of Visine can lead to serious medical problems and even death. Here are the potential effects of drinking Visine:

• Difficulty breathing: Ingesting Visine can lead to respiratory distress, making it difficult to breathe or even causing a complete halt in breathing.
• Changes in blood pressure: There may be a rapid increase in blood pressure, followed by a sudden drop.
• Nausea and vomiting: Consuming Visine can cause severe nausea and vomiting.
• Seizures or tremors: In some cases, drinking Visine may lead to seizures or uncontrollable tremors.
• Coma: In severe cases, ingesting Visine can result in a coma.
• Central nervous system depression: Drinking Visine can cause severe depression of the central nervous system, leading to lethargy and unresponsiveness.
• Diarrhea: While not a common effect, some people may experience diarrhea or other unexpected symptoms after ingesting Visine.

It is important to note that Visine is not intended for oral consumption and should only be used as directed. Misusing Visine can have dire medical and legal consequences. If you or someone you know has ingested Visine, it is crucial to seek immediate medical attention or contact a poison control center.

The active ingredient in Visine

Tetrahydrozoline is not meant to be ingested orally and can have severe consequences if swallowed. It is not known to cause diarrhea, despite the popular belief perpetuated by movies and TV shows, such as *Wedding Crashers* and *Orange Is the New Black*. However, it can lead to a range of dangerous symptoms, including difficulty breathing, elevated and sudden drops in blood pressure, seizures, tremors, nausea, vomiting, and even coma.

The misuse of Visine as a prank or with malicious intent has been widely reported and can result in serious medical problems and legal consequences. It is important to follow the instructions and only use Visine as directed.

The dangers of misusing Visine

Visine is a well-known over-the-counter medication that comes in the form of eye drops. It is commonly used to alleviate redness, itchiness, and irritation in the eyes. While it is safe and effective when used as intended, internal consumption of Visine can lead to serious medical problems and even death. Here are some of the dangers associated with misusing Visine:

Poisoning and Serious Health Risks

The active ingredient in Visine, tetrahydrozoline, is a chemical used to constrict blood vessels, which helps reduce redness in the eyes. However, when ingested orally, tetrahydrozoline acts as a poison and can cause severe health issues. It can disrupt the central nervous system, leading to difficulty breathing, nausea, vomiting, seizures, and even coma. In some cases, it can also cause a dangerous drop in body temperature and blood pressure.

Misinformation and Urban Legends

The misconception that Visine can be used as a laxative stems from an urban legend popularized by the movie "Wedding Crashers." In the film, one of the characters puts Visine in a rival's drink, leading to diarrhea. However, in reality, tetrahydrozoline does not cause diarrhea. This misinformation has led to dangerous copycat crimes, with people attempting to use Visine as a prank or revenge, causing serious harm to their victims.

Legal Consequences

Using Visine to intentionally harm someone is considered poisoning and can result in serious legal consequences. There have been numerous cases where individuals have been charged and arrested for spiking drinks with Visine, resulting in criminal charges such as assault, domestic violence, and even murder. It is important to understand that putting anything in someone's drink without their knowledge is a dangerous and punishable offence.

Alternative Laxatives

It is important to understand that Visine is not an alternative to traditional laxatives. Consuming Visine can be detrimental to one's health and can lead to severe side effects. There are many medically proven and safe ways to relieve constipation, such as natural remedies like senna, Epsom salt, prune juice, castor oil, and milk of magnesia. These alternatives are effective and do not carry the same risks as misusing Visine.

In conclusion, misusing Visine can have dire consequences. It is crucial to follow the directions for use and dosage instructions provided with over-the-counter medications. If you or someone you know has ingested Visine, it is important to seek immediate medical attention and call the poison control hotline.

Visine in popular culture

Visine, a brand of eye drops, has been referenced in popular culture in various forms, including movies, television shows, and urban legends.

In the movie "Wedding Crashers," Bradley Cooper's character, Sack Lodge, is drugged with Visine and experiences severe gastrointestinal issues. The film "I Hope They Serve Beer in Hell" also references the urban legend, depicting characters with severe diarrhoea after consuming beverages laced with Visine.

Television shows such as "Orange Is the New Black" and "Dead Boy Detectives" have also featured Visine as a poison, with varying effects depicted. In "Orange Is the New Black," an inmate experiences severe diarrhoea after being poisoned with Visine, while in "Dead Boy Detectives," characters poisoned with Visine convulse, bleed from their eyes, and die.

The urban legend that a few drops of Visine can cause explosive diarrhoea has been debunked, and actual symptoms of ingesting Visine's active ingredient, tetrahydrozoline hydrochloride, can be severe and even life-threatening. Despite this, the myth persists and has been perpetuated in popular culture.

In addition to its appearance in movies and television, Visine has also found its way into urban slang. According to Urban Dictionary, the term "visine" is used in South Africa to describe an act of stupidity or a craze. It is also used to refer to the use of eye drops to conceal red eyes caused by marijuana use.

Safe laxatives that work

It is important to note that Visine, an over-the-counter medication that comes in the form of eye drops, should not be consumed as it can have several unpleasant and dangerous symptoms, including difficulty breathing, high blood pressure followed by a sudden drop, and even coma.

Now, here are some safe and effective laxatives that work:

• Natural Remedies: Senna, available in tablet form or as a tea, is a natural product that effectively treats constipation. However, it should not be used during pregnancy or lactation as it has been linked to birth abnormalities.
• Epsom Salt: Mixing two to six teaspoons of Epsom salt with water is a quick remedy for constipation, although the taste may be unpleasant.
• Fruit Juices: Drinking pure prune, pear, or mango juice is an effective way to alleviate constipation due to their high fibre content.
• Castor Oil: Mixing approximately 15 ml of castor oil with a glass of juice can provide almost immediate relief from constipation.
• Milk of Magnesia: A natural product containing magnesium hydroxide, milk of magnesia is taken in a dosage of approximately 15 ml with a glass of water to alleviate constipation within a day.

General Tips for Safe Laxative Use

• It is important to use laxatives sparingly and only when necessary.
• If you need help with regularity, it is recommended to increase your fibre intake and try natural laxatives first.
• Stay hydrated and drink plenty of fluids when using laxatives.
• Avoid regular use of stimulant laxatives as they can limit the absorption of essential vitamins and minerals.
• Consult a doctor if constipation persists, as it may be a symptom of a more serious condition.

In summary, while Visine should never be consumed as a laxative due to its dangerous side effects, there are several safe and effective alternatives available, including natural remedies, osmotic laxatives, and dietary and lifestyle changes.

Frequently asked questions