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Digitalis Toxicity

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Digitalis toxicity is a very serious risk brought to light by the April 2008 recall of a digitalis drug, Digitek®. All lots of tablet-form Digitek® were voluntarily recalled by its manufacturer after it was revealed that the tablets may contain double the intended dose of the active ingredient — posing a digitalis toxicity risk to thousands of patients.

Digitalis for Congestive Heart Failure

Digitalis has been used since at least the early 1700s as an herbal remedy for fluid build-up (swelling, or edema) that often occurs with congestive heart failure (CHF). In CHF, the blood’s return to the heart is backed up in the veins, causing congestion. The kidneys may also weaken, becoming less able to dispose of water, and the retained water increases the swelling.

Digitalis / Digoxin Overdose

Today, digitalis drugs (including the digitalis brands Digitek® and Lanoxin) are used to treat CHF, heart arrhythmias, and other cardiac conditions. Digitalis toxicity is a dangerous condition that results from too much digoxin in a patient’s system. Digoxin is the active ingredient in digitalis, and if it is present at too high a dose, the patient may experience serious and even life-threatening symptoms.

Symptoms of Digitalis Toxicity

If an individual has consumed too high a dose of digoxin — as is the risk with the recalled Digitek® — he or she may experience one or more of the following symptoms:

• abdominal pain
• bradycardia (abnormally slow heart beat)
• cardiac instability
• confusion and mental disturbances (e.g., anxiety, delirium, hallucinations, and depression)
• diarrhea
• dizziness
• gynecomastia (enlargement of male breasts)
• headache
• hypotension (low blood pressure)
• maculopapular rash (looks similar to measles)
• nausea, vomiting
• thrombocytopenia (low platelet count in the blood)
• vision disturbances
• weakness

If You Have Been Injured by Digitek®

Have you or a loved one been injured after taking Digitek®? If so, contact us to speak with an experienced Digitek® attorney who specializes in drug recall litigation & lawsuits. Let us help you win the compensation you need and deserve.