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Cardiac glycoside overdose

Definition

This is poisoning from cardiac glycoside.

Alternative Names

Poisonous Ingredient

• Deslanoside
• Digitoxin
• Digoxin(e)

Where Found

• Deslanoside (cedilanin-D)
• Digitoxin (Crystodigin)
• Digoxin (Lanoxicaps, Lanoxin)
• Foxglove

Symptoms

• Whole Body
  • Apathy (not caring what happens)
• Eyes, ears, nose, and throat
  • Blurred vision
  • Halos around objects (yellow, green, white) *
• Skin
  • Rash
  • Hives
  • Stevens-johnson syndrome
• Gastrointestinal
  • Loss of appetite *
  • Vomiting 
  • Nausea
  • Stomach pain
  • Diarrhea
• Heart and blood
  • Irregular heartbeat (or slow)
  • Low blood pressure
  • Weakness
• Nervous system
  • Drowsiness
  • Confusion
  • Depression *
  • Hallucinations *
  • Headache
  • Fainting
  • Lethargy
  • Disorientation

* These symptoms are usually only seen with chronic overdose cases.

Home Care

Do not make the person throw up unless told to do so by Poison Control or a health care provider.

Before Calling Emergency

Determine the following information:

• Patient's age, weight, and condition
• Name of product (as well as the ingredients and strength, if known)
• Time it was swallowed
• Amount swallowed

Poison Control

The National Poison Control Center (1-800-222-1222) can be called from anywhere in the United States. This national hotline number will let you talk to experts in poisoning. They will give you further instructions.

This is a free and confidential service. All local poison control centers in the U.S. use this national number. You should call if you have any questions about poisoning or poison prevention. It does NOT need to be an emergency. You can call for any reason, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Take the container with you to the hospital, if possible.

See National Poison Control center.

What to Expect at the Emergency Room

The health care provider will measure and monitor the patient's vital signs, including temperature, pulse, breathing rate, and blood pressure.

The patient may receive:

• Medicines to treat symptoms
• Activated charcoal
• Methods to make the person throw up
• A nasogastric (NG) tube thru the nose into the stomach to empty the stomach (gastric lavage)   
• EKG
• Blood tests to check digitalis, serum magnesium, and serum potassium levels
• Medicine (antidote) to reverse the effects of the overdose
• Methods to correct electrolyte (potassium, magnesium) imbalances

Outlook (Prognosis)

If the patient survives the first 24 hours the chance of survival is very good.

The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. © 1997- A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.