Cardiac glycoside overdose
Alternate Names : Digoxin overdose, Digitoxin overdose, Lanoxin overdose, Purgoxin overdose, Allocar overdose, Corramedan overdose, Crystodigin overdose
Home Treatment
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, or a Local Emergency Number
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 United States 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: Poison control center - emergency number
What to Expect at the Emergency Room
The health care provider will measure and monitor your vital signs, including temperature, pulse, breathing rate, and blood pressure. Symptoms will be treated as appropriate. You may receive: - Activated charcoal
- EKG
- Blood tests to check digitalis, magnesium, and potassium levels
- Medicine (antidote) to reverse the effects of the overdose
- Methods to correct electrolyte (potassium, magnesium) imbalances
- Tube through the nose into the stomach to empty the stomach (gastric lavage)
Prognosis (Expectations)
The greatest risk of death and bad outcomes are seen in young children and older adults. Older persons are especially likely to suffer from problems of chronic (long-term) cardiac glycoside poisoning.
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