Digitalis toxicity

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In an emergency, assist breathing as needed (see CPR) and get professional medical help.

Arrhythmias are treated according to which arrhythmia develops.

If toxicity is due to a recent, acute single exposure, treatment may involve:

• Activated charcoal
• Tube through the mouth into the stomach to wash out the stomach (gastric lavage)

Digitoxin blood levels may be lowered with repeated doses of charcoal, given after gastric lavage.

Methods to cause vomiting are usually not performed because vomiting can worsen slow heart rhythms.

In severe cases, medications called digoxin-specific antibodies may be prescribed. Hemodialysis may be required to reduce the levels of digitalis in the body.

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The outcome varies depending on the extent of toxicity and arrhythmias that develop.

• Arrhythmias , which may be deadly
• Heart failure

Call your health care provider if you are taking a digitalis medication and symptoms of digitalis toxicity develop.

Review Date: 01/23/2009
Reviewed By: David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org).