Cardiac glycosides

Injury	Disease	Nutrition	Poison

Symptoms	Surgery	Test	Special Topic

Overview

Symptoms

Treatment

Cardiac glycosides

Alternative Names:

Digoxin; Digitoxin; Lanoxin; Purgoxin; Allocar; Corramedan; Cystodigin
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:

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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