Answer extracted from the Dateline NBC podcast — listen to the full episode below.
What happens to your body when you ingest tetrahydrosoline from eye drops?
Ingesting tetrahydrosoline causes vomiting, nausea, diarrhea, seizures, and cardiac arrest. The drug, a nasal decongestant and eye drop ingredient, becomes toxic when swallowed in concentrated amounts.
Tetrahydrosoline is designed for topical use only—applied directly to the eye or nasal passages as a vasoconstrictor to reduce redness and congestion. When ingested, the body absorbs it systemically, triggering severe gastrointestinal and neurological distress within a short window of time.
The severity of the reaction depends heavily on dosage. As Marissa Meyer explains in the Dateline NBC episode, the case of Stacey Hunsucker revealed the lethal potential of this substance when concentrated quantities are involved.
"It can cause vomiting, nausea, diarrhea, seizing, and even cardiac arrest."
Marissa Meyer — Dateline Producer, Dateline NBC. Meyer is an investigative journalist who brings detailed reporting to complex criminal cases. Her work on the Joshua Hunsucker investigation uncovered the circumstances surrounding Stacey Hunsucker's death and the subsequent charges against her paramedic husband, revealing how a common household product could become a weapon when misused.
In the Hunsucker case, toxicology results revealed tetrahydrosoline present in the victim's bloodstream at 30 to 40 times the therapeutic dose—a concentration far beyond what accidental exposure could produce. This extreme level accelerated the onset of symptoms and ultimately proved fatal.
The cardiac arrest component is particularly significant because it can occur suddenly and without warning. The drug directly affects heart rhythm by mimicking epinephrine, causing irregular heartbeats that can degenerate into life-threatening arrhythmias. Seizures may follow as the central nervous system responds to the toxin, compounding the medical emergency. The full episode provides additional forensic details on how investigators identified this poison and traced its origin.
Recovery depends on immediate medical intervention. Victims who reach emergency care quickly may survive with aggressive treatment including cardiac monitoring, seizure management, and supportive care. However, as documented in this Dateline investigation, concentrated ingestion can overwhelm the body's ability to respond.
Why tetrahydrosoline poisoning is so difficult to detect
Tetrahydrosoline is a common household product, making poisoning by this substance particularly insidious. Initial symptoms—nausea, vomiting, diarrhea—mimic gastroenteritis or food poisoning, delaying suspicion of foul play. Toxicology screening doesn't automatically include tetrahydrosoline unless specifically requested, meaning the substance could remain undetected without targeted investigation.
The chemical's short window of detection is another factor. Once absorbed and metabolized, tetrahydrosoline leaves the bloodstream relatively quickly, requiring blood samples to be drawn soon after ingestion for definitive identification. This is why the rapid autopsy and toxicology work in Stacey Hunsucker's case proved crucial to establishing the cause of death and guiding the investigation that followed.
See also
What chemical found in eye drops was detected in a victim's blood at 30 to 40 times the therapeutic dose?
According to the probable cause affidavit, the blood sample came back positive for a chemical called tetrahydrosoline, which is found in eye drops and was present at a concentration far exceeding normal levels.
What are ghost guns and why do they complicate criminal investigations?
Ghost guns are homemade firearms that do not have a serial number, making them extremely difficult to trace during criminal investigations and creating unique evidentiary challenges.
Who is on trial in the murder of Microsoft employee Jared Breidigan and what do prosecutors allege?
Mario Fernandez Saldana, husband of Jared Breidigan's ex-wife Shanna Gardner, is the first of three defendants to face trial for the murder of the 33-year-old Microsoft employee.