When mixed with alcohol and taken orally, the eyedrops Safur blue and Eye gene can lead to drowsiness and can cause someone to pass out, confirmed Jaco Lotriet, Health24's pharmacist.

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Nafazoline in Safur Blue
Safur blue 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.

Phenylephrine in Eye gene
"Eye gene 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 Eye gene also contains Mepyramine Maleate, an anti-histamine which could lead to drowsiness.

Struggle to remember
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. - (Health24)

October 2005
 

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