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Digoxin

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Digoxin is the generic name of a drug administered to patients who are experiencing heart failure or an abnormal heart rhythm (e.g., irregular heart beat, tachycardia, or bradycardia). Digoxin is derived from the flower foxglove, a highly toxic plant. It acts directly on the heart muscle and indirectly on the cardiovascular system.

Digitek®, Lanoxin, Lanoxicaps

Digoxin is marketed in various preparations under several brand names, including Digitek®, Lanoxin, and Lanoxicaps, and it’s available in tablet, elixir, and injectable formulations. The April 2008 recall of tablet-form Digitek® across the U.S. has focused attention on digoxin as a potentially dangerous drug. The recalled Digitek® may include tablets with twice the intended dosage of digoxin.

Life-Threatening Side Effects

Even at intended dosages, digoxin treatment sometimes results in adverse reactions. The margin between an effective level of digoxin and a toxic level is very small. Digoxin toxicity is a dangerous state for a patient to experience; its potential consequences are ventricular tachycardia, bradycardia, ventricular fibrillation, and heart block.

Because digoxin is excreted by the kidneys, the defective Digitek® is especially dangerous to individuals with impaired kidney function. Double-strength digoxin in the recalled Digitek® could be life-threatening to such patients.

Digoxin Toxicity

At least one death has already been attributed to digoxin toxicity following treatment with defective Digitek®. Digoxin toxicity can cause a shift of potassium from inside to outside the body’s cells, producing hyperkalemia, a potentially fatal high level of blood potassium.

A patient suffering from digoxin toxicity may receive a large dose of activated charcoal as a first-line treatment in an emergency room to prevent further absorption of the digoxin. Gastric lavage (commonly known as “stomach pumping”) or emesis (induced vomiting) may be performed, particularly if the digoxin ingestion happened within the past 30 minutes.

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.