# What's the story with Visine **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [August 8, 2006, 4:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-story-with-visine/367866 "2006-08-08T16:00:50Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 13\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Placid\_Liver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/e99b99/32.png) [@Placid\_Liver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Placid_Liver)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2006, 4:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-story-with-visine/367866/1 "2006-08-08T16:00:50Z")
A friend has recommended this eyedrop to me, but after reading the box I’m kind of… dubious. There’s “…for the relief of redness of the eye due to minor eye irritations” and then a bit later “…overuse may cause more eye redness.”. Is this a pointed case of the difference between poison and cure? How does Visine work to get rid of red eyes that can later lead to worse red eyes? ---
**Author:** ![lieu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c2a13f/32.png) [@lieu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lieu)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2006, 4:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-story-with-visine/367866/2 "2006-08-08T16:27:51Z")
Some of Visene’s products are vasodilaters, at least those intended to relieve redness. IANAD but I have heard from health professionals that too much of the product can lead to heart complications. Reportedly, hookers sometimes use Visene to knock out their Johns and this has in the past actually led to several deaths. Admittedly, that does sound like an UL and I’m all ears if someone can refute it but it was relayed to me by a RN. Regardless of the veracity of that tale, I usually just take their eye products that soothe. While the redness may be annoying, it’s not worth subjecting one’s self to a possible health risk to alleviate. ---
**Author:** ![lieu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c2a13f/32.png) [@lieu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lieu)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2006, 4:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-story-with-visine/367866/3 "2006-08-08T16:33:23Z")
Btw, the hookers reportedly accomplish this (knocking out a customer so they can roll them) by squirting I assume a copious amount into an unsuspecting mark’s drink. I didn’t mean to imply they hold them down and put drops in their eyes until they’re dead. ---
**Author:** ![tanstaafl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ba8739/32.png) [@tanstaafl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tanstaafl)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2006, 5:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-story-with-visine/367866/4 "2006-08-08T17:05:34Z")
From [WebMD](http://www.webmd.com/content/article/64/72258.htm#7)… > [@](#): > > The Risk of Over-using Eye Drops > Have you ever heard of rebound redness? > > Eye drops like Visine help clear my eyes, but is it safe to use them every day? > > Answer: > > Continuous use of vasoconstrictor eye drops such as Visine is unwise. > > Dry eyes? Use a preservative-free artificial tear supplement. > > Repeated use of vasoconstrictors causes REBOUND REDNESS. Once the drug"s chemicals wear off, the previously constricted blood vessels relax, dilate and cause even more redness. ---
**Author:** ![tanstaafl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ba8739/32.png) [@tanstaafl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tanstaafl)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2006, 5:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-story-with-visine/367866/5 "2006-08-08T17:09:54Z")
And Snopes doesn’t mention anything about hookers but does say that [Visine is sometimes thought to trigger diarrhea](http://www.snopes.com/medical/myths/visine.asp), but apparently doesn’t work that well. No mention of anyone being killed. ---
**Author:** ![tanstaafl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ba8739/32.png) [@tanstaafl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tanstaafl)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2006, 5:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-story-with-visine/367866/6 "2006-08-08T17:15:22Z")
> [@tanstaafl](#): > > And Snopes doesn’t mention anything about hookers but does say that [Visine is sometimes thought to trigger diarrhea](http://www.snopes.com/medical/myths/visine.asp), but apparently doesn’t work that well. No mention of anyone being killed. Sigh. Hit submit too soon… :smack: Change that last sentence to read “No mention of anyone being killed, but it can apparently cause a series of serious medical problems. Neither diarrhea or heart complications are one of them though.” ---
**Author:** ![lieu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c2a13f/32.png) [@lieu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lieu)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2006, 5:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-story-with-visine/367866/7 "2006-08-08T17:27:34Z")
Yes, in the meantime I’d found the [article](http://www.snopes.com/medical/myths/visine.asp) too. > [@](#): > > The active ingredient in Visine eye drops is Tetrahydrozoline HCl 0.05%. Swallowing this substance can result in a number of nasty effects, including: Lowering body temperature to dangerous levels > Making breathing difficult, or even halting it entirely > Blurring vision > Causing nausea and vomiting > Elevating and then dropping blood pressure > Causing seizures or tremors > Sending the ingester into a coma ---
**Author:** ![WhyNot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/c77e96/32.png) [@WhyNot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WhyNot)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2006, 5:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-story-with-visine/367866/8 "2006-08-08T17:29:00Z")
> [@lieu](#): > > Some of Visene’s products are vasodilaters… Vaso_constrictors_, you mean. They make the capillaries (“vasos”) tighten up (“constrict”). As for the deaths, there is indeed one death from intentional Visine poisoning - but it was given along with other medications, so it’s hard to say what interacted with what. It’s referenced on this information sheet (page 3). [Warning: PDF](http://web.grcc.cc.mi.us/Pr/msds/fordfieldhouse/NATUROPATHIC%20LABORATORIES%20INTL%20-%20Nature's%20Chemist%20Pain%20Relief%20Ointment.pdf) > [@](#): > > Inoestion : Because potential sedation from Visine Allergy Relief Eye Drops could result in the patient aspirating vomitus, vomiting is not recommended . Keep patient warm . Commercially prepared charcoal suspension or activated charcoal slurry may be given : (30 gm charcoal per 240 ml of water or saline cathartic or sorbitol) (Adult dose : 30-100 gmi of activated charcoal - Children dose : 15-30 gm of activated charcoal) . Treatment should be supportive and symptomatic . Seek medical attention if any signs of excessive sedation occur especially with infants or children . > Skin Contact : Remove contaminated clothing and wash skin thoroughly with mild soap and water . Seek the advice of a Health Professional if irritation continues or if symptoms of borate toxicity occur . > Effects of Overexposure > (Note Route of Entry) Inoestion : NOT\_ Generally, adverse effects reported to Pfizer in cases of accidental ingestion have been sedation and reduction of body temperature . Effects include rapid onset of drowsiness in varying degrees in up to 50% of patients, reduction of body temperature, slowed heart rate, slowed respiration and hypotension . **One death, the result of a deliberate poisoning, has been reported when Visine Eye Drops were ingested with several other medications .** > Skin Contact : Symptoms of sodium borate and boric acid toxicity might result after ingestion or through skin or mucous membrane absorption . Symptoms include vomiting, diarrhea, skin and mucous membrane eruptions . Higher doses produce tachycardia, circulatory collapse, cyanosis, delirium, convulsions and coma . Fatalities have occurred from open wound absorption of boric acid . (bolding mine) Still, as an OTC user, your biggest worry is rebound redness. Capillaries that have been chemically forced to constrict have a habit of dilating further than before once they’re free of chemical influences. The general advice is to not use Visine for more than a couple of days to minimize this effect. ---
**Author:** ![AskNott](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asknott/32/5790_2.png) [@AskNott](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AskNott)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2006, 5:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-story-with-visine/367866/9 "2006-08-08T17:33:27Z")
Okay, I just went to Snopes . com and searched “visine.” There’s a UL that a Visine® spiked drink will cause diarrhea. T’ain’t true, nor is the Visine=unconsciousness UL. However, it does cause vomiting, labored breathing, and a handful of other nastiness. It’s dangerous, and it’s not a harmless prank. I didn’t bring back a quote, because I couldn’t decide which excerpt to pick. Go look it up at [www.snopes.com](http://www.snopes.com) ---
**Author:** ![lieu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c2a13f/32.png) [@lieu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lieu)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2006, 5:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-story-with-visine/367866/10 "2006-08-08T17:47:38Z")
**AskNott** , that link discusses prune juice in Dr. Pepper. 🙂 The one you want is linked several times above though and I’m afraid it does say one of the potential effects of the vasoconstrictor (thanks) Tetrahydrozoline is “Sending the ingester into a coma”. ---
**Author:** ![Dpimi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/9dc877/32.png) [@Dpimi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dpimi)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2006, 6:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-story-with-visine/367866/11 "2006-08-08T18:00:29Z")
It’s not the only med that the cure can cause the symptoms. It’s well known that Albuterol (sp??) a rescue inhaler for asthma sufferers can relieve the asthma attack, but if it’s used too much it can CAUSE an asthma attack known as a paradoxical bronchial spasm. ---
**Author:** ![Malienation](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4af34b/32.png) [@Malienation](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Malienation)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2006, 5:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-story-with-visine/367866/12 "2006-08-09T17:35:09Z")
The rebound effect applies to other vasoconstrictors as well, i.e., nasal sprays. You squirt 'em up there, they seem to work, but then the symptoms reappear worse than before. Bummer. ---
**Author:** ![Placid\_Liver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/e99b99/32.png) [@Placid\_Liver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Placid_Liver)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2006, 7:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-story-with-visine/367866/13 "2006-08-09T19:03:35Z")
Interesting, thanks. The idea of hookers holding down men while applying eye-drops is pretty funny. Diarhea and vomiting is not though, so I guess it’s just red eyes for me.