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Digitalis Arrhythmia

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Digitalis arrhythmia is a potential negative side effect of digitalis treatment. Digitalis is the generic name for drugs such as Digitek and Lanoxin that are used to treat several heart conditions. Arrhythmia is a medical term for heart rhythm problems, such as when the heart beats irregularly or too fast or too slow, or a combination of these.

Arrhythmia — A Deadly Problem
Arrhythmia can be due to an injury or to a weakness in the heart that has developed over time. In arrhythmia, the electrical impulses that control the heart’s beating are not functioning properly. Arrhythmia can be life-threatening, since a malfunctioning heart may not send out enough blood (and with it, oxygen) to supply the body.

Digitalis — To Correct Heart Problems
Digitalis medication is sometimes prescribed to correct a patient’s arrhythmia. The active ingredient in digitalis, digoxin, helps a weak or injured heart to be stronger and pump blood more efficiently, and to send oxygen-rich blood out to the rest of the body. Digitalis is also used to slow down a too-fast heart rate (known as tachycardia).

Digitalis is often prescribed in tablet form, to be taken once a day or every other day. It’s often used in conjunction with other heart medications, and patients often take digitalis for years at a time, or indefinitely.

Digitalis Can Cause Arrhythmia
Ironically, although digitalis is often used to correct arrhythmia, digitalis can also cause arrhythmia. Among the potential side effects of digitalis drugs are an abnormally slow heart rate (bradycardia, a type of arrhythmia) and irregular heart beat (another type of arrhythmia).

Recalled Digitalis Drug: Digitek
The risk of arrhythmia with digitalis treatment is present even when the digitalis is prescribed at the intended dosage, but a recent problem involves a digitalis drug, Digitek, that was accidentally manufactured with twice the intended dosage of the active ingredient (digoxin). Digitalis arrhythmia from this double-dose Digitek is a very dangerous risk.

All lots of tablet-form Digitek were recalled by the FDA and Digitek’s manufacturer in April 2008. Contact a digitalis attorney if Digitek treatment has harmed you or your family member. You may be entitled to compensation for your damages and losses.

 

Contact a Digitek Recall Lawyer

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