Digoxin toxicity

Digoxin toxicity, also known as digoxin poisoning, is a type of <a href="/facts/Poison/XIQjhpsw">poisoning</a> that occurs in people who take too much of the medication <a href="/facts/Digoxin/JEHbskXq">digoxin</a> or eat plants such as <a href="/facts/Foxglove/Q0W8f7Rv">foxglove</a> that contain a similar substance. Symptoms are typically vague. They may include vomiting, loss of appetite, <a href="/facts/Confusion/Pcvw6deb">confusion</a>, blurred vision, changes in color perception, and decreased energy. Potential complications include an <a href="/facts/Heart_dysrhythmias/ooEpr46Q">irregular heartbeat</a>, which can be either <a href="/facts/Tachycardia/ycmyzP7q">too fast</a> or <a href="/facts/Bradycardia/70msP5HD">too slow</a>.
Toxicity may occur over a short period of time following an <a href="/facts/Overdose/Jlo2AX3Y">overdose</a> or gradually during long-term treatment. Risk factors include <a href="/facts/Hypokalaemia/XvS1S7s6">low potassium</a>, <a href="/facts/Hypomagnesaemia/GBVGeFw9">low magnesium</a>, and <a href="/facts/Hypercalcaemia/kdEeLaVd">high calcium</a>. Digoxin is a medication used for <a href="/facts/Heart_failure/7fckX3Jm">heart failure</a> or <a href="/facts/Atrial_fibrillation/Rzkq1tmN">atrial fibrillation</a>. An <a href="/facts/Electrocardiogram/YpVswJ0W">electrocardiogram</a> is a routine part of diagnosis. Blood levels are only useful more than six hours following the last dose.
<a href="/facts/Activated_charcoal/YAbaXCcb">Activated charcoal</a> may be used if it can be given within two hours of the person taking the medication. <a href="/facts/Atropine/cJQ0gL4o">Atropine</a> may be used if the heart rate is slow while <a href="/facts/Magnesium_sulfate/o3GwKEoQ">magnesium sulfate</a> may be used in those with <a href="/facts/Premature_ventricular_contraction/5jqhoQnl">premature ventricular contractions</a>. Treatment of severe toxicity is with <a href="/facts/Digoxin-specific_antibody_fragments/F5IK4Ifc">digoxin-specific antibody fragments</a>. Its use is recommended in those who have a serious dysrhythmia, are in <a href="/facts/Cardiac_arrest/HIAm9AWX">cardiac arrest</a>, or have a potassium of greater than 5 mmol/L. Low blood potassium or magnesium should also be corrected. Toxicity may reoccur within a few days after treatment.
In Australia in 2012 there were about 140 documented cases. This is a decrease by half since 1994 as a result of decreased usage of digoxin. In the United States 2500 cases were reported in 2011 which resulted in 27 deaths. The condition was first described in 1785 by <a href="/facts/William_Withering/uQBXS2Br">William Withering</a>.

Digoxin toxicity open-in-new

Digoxin toxicity