VISINE ALERT!!!
Seemingly innocent medication such as Visine eyedrops are used by people to concoct a mixture with similar effects as a date-rape drug.
When mixed with alcohol and taken orally, the eyedrops can lead to drowsiness and can cause someone to pass out, confirmed Jaco Lotriet, Health24's pharmacist.
The trick to spike alcoholic drinks with eyedrops is apparently not a new one. In fact, it is a well-known trick and much cheaper than the use of other drugs often associated with date rape.
Visine contains the ingredient nafazoline, which suppresses the central nervous system. When the drops are mixed with alcohol, the body temperature drops, heart rate slows down and the person becomes sweaty and drowsy, and may even lose consciousness. In severe cases, intoxication with this mixture can lead to memory loss, coma, and even death.
"Visine does not have such a drastic effect," says Lotriet.
The active ingredient in these drops is phenylephrine which stimulates the sympathetic nervous system in the same way as adrenalin or noradrenalin. When mixed with alcohol and ingested orally, the drug can result in hallucinations, dizziness and fainting.
The anti-allergic version of Visine also contains Mepyramine Maleate, an anti-histamine which could lead to drowsiness.
The quantities of the active ingredients in eye drops are however very small and one needs to use a huge amount to lose consciousness.
Once a person recovers, he or she may struggle to remember events that occurred while intoxicated – similar to the blackouts that can result from excessive alcohol consumption.
"But some people are affected even more adversely. Adolescents and young adults are more sensitive to the effects and are more adversely affected than adults," Lotriet says.
When mixed with alcohol and taken orally, the eyedrops can lead to drowsiness and can cause someone to pass out, confirmed Jaco Lotriet, Health24's pharmacist.
The trick to spike alcoholic drinks with eyedrops is apparently not a new one. In fact, it is a well-known trick and much cheaper than the use of other drugs often associated with date rape.
Visine contains the ingredient nafazoline, which suppresses the central nervous system. When the drops are mixed with alcohol, the body temperature drops, heart rate slows down and the person becomes sweaty and drowsy, and may even lose consciousness. In severe cases, intoxication with this mixture can lead to memory loss, coma, and even death.
"Visine does not have such a drastic effect," says Lotriet.
The active ingredient in these drops is phenylephrine which stimulates the sympathetic nervous system in the same way as adrenalin or noradrenalin. When mixed with alcohol and ingested orally, the drug can result in hallucinations, dizziness and fainting.
The anti-allergic version of Visine also contains Mepyramine Maleate, an anti-histamine which could lead to drowsiness.
The quantities of the active ingredients in eye drops are however very small and one needs to use a huge amount to lose consciousness.
Once a person recovers, he or she may struggle to remember events that occurred while intoxicated – similar to the blackouts that can result from excessive alcohol consumption.
"But some people are affected even more adversely. Adolescents and young adults are more sensitive to the effects and are more adversely affected than adults," Lotriet says.
Sister, I think it’s great that you’ve blogged about this, there was a news story about a man who had been raping a woman and four children, all relatives of his, by adding Visine to their drinks.
I’m not sure how knowing that Visine can be used as a date-rape drug will help anyone protect themselves more. I think it’s more important to put emphasis on the fact that people ought to be vigilant and never leave drinks unattended regardless of how easily available various drugs are.