Causes

Digitalis toxicity can be caused by high levels of digitalis in the body, or a decreased tolerance to the drug. Patients with decreased tolerance may have "normal" digitalis levels in their blood.

Digitalis toxicity can occur from a single exposure or chronic overmedication, or it may occur in patients with normal blood levels of digitalis if other risks are present.

People with heart failure who take digoxin are commonly given medications called diuretics, which remove excess fluid from the body. Many diuretics can cause potassium loss. Low levels of potassium in the body increase the risk of digitalis toxicity. Digitalis toxicity may also result in persons who take the drug and who have low levels of magnesium in the body.

Risks include taking digitalis medications such as digoxin or digitoxin along with medications that interact with digitalis such as quinidine, verapamil, amiodarone, and others.

Reduced kidney function will cause digitalis to build up in the body rather than be removed normally through urine. Therefore, any disorders that disrupt kidney functioning (including dehydration) make digitalis toxicity more likely.

Symptoms

• Confusion
• Irregular pulse
• Loss of appetite
• Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea
• Palpitations
• Visual changes (unusual)
  • Blind spots in vision
  • Blurred vision
  • Changes in color perception
  • Halos or rings of light around objects
  • Seeing lights or bright spots

Additional symptoms that may be associated with digitalis toxicity include:

• Decreased consciousness
• Decreased urine output
• Difficulty breathing when lying down
• Excessive nighttime urination
• Overall swelling

Exams and Tests

The heart rate may be rapid or slow and may be irregular.

An ECG is done to check for irregular heart beats.

Blood tests will be done to check:

• BUN and creatinine (which help reveal kidney function)
• Digoxin and digitoxin levels
• Potassium level
• Magnesium level

See also:

• Blood chemistry
• Digoxin - test
• Digitoxin - test

Treatment

In an emergency, assist breathing as needed (see CPR) and get professional medical help.

Arrhythmias are treated according to which arrhythmia develops.

If toxicity is due to a recent, acute single exposure, treatment may involve:

• Activated charcoal
• Tube through the mouth into the stomach to wash out the stomach (gastric lavage)

Digitoxin blood levels may be lowered with repeated doses of charcoal, given after gastric lavage.

Methods to cause vomiting are usually not performed because vomiting can worsen slow heart rhythms.

In severe cases, medications called digoxin-specific antibodies may be prescribed. Hemodialysis may be required to reduce the levels of digitalis in the body.

Outlook (Prognosis)

The outcome varies depending on the extent of toxicity and arrhythmias that develop.

Possible Complications

• Arrhythmias, which may be deadly
• Heart failure

When to Contact a Medical Professional

Call your health care provider if you are taking a digitalis medication and symptoms of digitalis toxicity develop.

Prevention

Digitalis blood levels should be monitored regularly if you are taking digitalis medications. Blood chemistries should also be monitored to detect conditions that make digitalis toxicity more common.

Potassium supplements may be prescribed if you take diuretics and digitalis together, or a potassium-sparing diuretic may be prescribed.

Update Date: 2/13/2012

Reviewed by: David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.