| Subject | Contents |
| Definition | Poisoning from cardiac glycoside. |
| Alternative Names | Digoxin; Digitoxin; Lanoxin, Purgoxin, Allocar; Corramedan; Cystodigin; Digitoxine |
| Poisonous Ingredient | deslanoside digitoxin digoxin Note: This list may not be all inclusive. |
| Where Found | deslanoside digitoxin digoxin in foxglove Note: This list may not be all inclusive. |
| Symptoms | body as a whole weaknessheadacheapathydepressionhallucinations * eyes, ears, nose, and throat blurred visionhalos around objects (yellow, green, white) * skin rashhivesstevens-johnson syndrome gastrointestinal loss of appetite * vomiting or nauseaabdominal pain (lower stomach) diarrhea heart and blood vessels irregular heartbeat (or slow) low blood pressure nervous system drowsinessconfusion depression * headache faintinglethargy disorientation * Usually only seen with chronic overdose cases |
| Home Treatment | Do not induce vomiting unless instructed to do so by Poison Control or by a physician.
|
| Before Calling Emergency | Determine the following information: the patient's age, weight, and condition the name of the product (ingredients and strengths if known) or plant the time it was swallowed the amount swallowed |
| Poison Control, or a local emergency number | They will instruct you if it is necessary to take the patient to the hospital. See Poison Control centers for telephone numbers and addresses. Take the container or plant with you to the emergency room. |
| What to expect at the emergency room | Some or all of the following procedures may be performed:
induce vomiting administer activated charcoal use gastric lavage monitor vital signs ( blood pressure , pulse , and so forth) monitor EKG (monitors heart function) blood samples drawn to determine:
digitalis levels serum magnesium levels serum potassium levels administration of antidote and other medication to correct problems resulting from the overdose if needed correction of electrolyte (potassium, magnesium) imbalances |
| Expectations (prognosis) | If the individual survives the first 24 hours their chances of survival are very good.
|
| | |