Digitek: Heart Drug Sold in Deadly Doses

Special Alert: April 2008

Dangerous Doses of Digitek Medication

In April 2008, drug manufacturer Actavis Totowa LLC announced a nationwide recall of the heart medication, Digitek. The drug may have been sold in dangerous doses, posing serious health risks to consumers.

Side effects of a Digitek overdose include a slowed or irregular heart beat, vomiting, nausea, decreased appetite, dizziness, low blood pressure, and death. People with poor kidney function are especially susceptible to the adverse affects of Digitek.

What is Digitek?

Digitek is the brand name for digoxin, an oral medication that is widely prescribed to treat conditions such as congestive heart failure and atrial fibrillation / atrial flutter (fast heartbeats). The drug is also sold under the brand names Cardoxin, Lanoxicaps, and Lanoxin. Digoxin is extracted from the leaves of Digitalis lanata plant.

Possible Side Effects of a Digitek Overdose

Emergency medical attention should be sought if an overdose of Digitek is taken. Symptoms of an overdose include:

• Death
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Decreased appetite
• Diarrhea
• Confusion
• Seizures
• Hallucinations
• Seeing light "halos" around objects
• Green or yellow vision
• Fatigue
• Irregular heartbeats
• Abnormally slow or fast heartbeats

Overview of Digitek

Actavis Totowa recalled all strengths of their Digitek tablets in April 2008 after it was discovered that the drug was produced at twice its normal thickness and could contain twice the amount of active ingredient allowed.

If consumed, the tablets can cause digitalis toxicity, a condition that can lead to adverse side effects. In severe cases, digitalis toxicity can be fatal. Patients who are particularly susceptible to serious health consequences include the elderly and those with poor kidney function.

Several reports of illness or injury in those taking Digitek have been received by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

You Need Experienced Attorneys Who Understand Dangerous Drug Cases to Fight For You

If you or a loved one has been hurt by taking Digitek, you need to act quickly. When our drug injury lawyers and staff become involved with your case, we immediately begin investigating the cause of your drug reaction and fighting for your legal rights to fair compensation.