Cardiac glycosides

Definition:
Poisoning from cardiac glycoside.

Alternative Names:
Digoxin; Digitoxin; Lanoxin, Purgoxin, Allocar; Corramedan; Cystodigin; Digitoxine

Poisonous Ingredient:
  • deslanoside
  • digitoxin
  • digoxin
Note: This list may not be all inclusive.
Where Found:
  • deslanoside
  • digitoxin
  • digoxin
  • in foxglove
Note: This list may not be all inclusive.
Symptoms:
* Usually only seen with chronic overdose cases
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:
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:
Expectations (prognosis):
If the individual survives the first 24 hours their chances of survival are very good.

Review Date: 1/2/2002
Reviewed By: Victoria Kennedy, RN, A.D.A.M. editorial.
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