Digitalis Toxicity Definition

Digitalis is a treatment for heart patients with congestive heart failure and atrial arrhythmias. When the patient intakes too much of the digitalis drug, digitalis toxicity occurs. The prescription forms of the digitalis therapy medication are digoxin and digitoxin.

Causes

The causes of digitalis toxicity are decreased tolerance to the medication and high levels of the medication in the body. Digitalis toxicity occurs in patients taking a large dose of digitalis, in patients continuously over-medicating and in heart patients with other risks.

Other Risks With Digitalis

Risks include taking quinidine, verapamil and amiodarone along with digitalis medications, low potassium and magnesium in the body and reduced kidney functions.

Symptoms

The symptoms of digitalis toxicity are confusion, irregular pulse, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, palpitations, visual changes, decreased consciousness, decreased urination, breathing difficulties, great increase in nighttime urination, and overall swelling throughout the body.

Tests for Digitalis Toxicity

To check for digitalis toxicity, testing the heart rate for irregular pulse, performing an electrocardiogram and performing blood tests should be done.

Treatment

If a patient suspects digitalis toxicity, seek medical treatment. Arrhythmia treatment, charcoal, gastric lavage, digoxin-specific antibodies and hemodialysis are the treatments used for digitalis toxicity.

References

• U.S. National Library of Medicine and the Nationali Institutes of Health

Resources

• The New York Times