Cardiac glycoside overdose Health Article

Definition

Cardiac glycosides are a class of medications used to treat heart failure. Cardiac glycoside overdose occurs when someone accidentally or intentionally takes more than the normal or recommended amount of this medication.

This is for information only and not for use in the treatment or management of an actual poison exposure. If you have an exposure, you should call your local emergency number (such as 911) or the National Poison Control Center at 1-800-222-1222.

Alternative Names

Digoxin overdose; Digitoxin overdose; Lanoxin overdose; Purgoxin overdose; Allocar overdose; Corramedan overdose; Crystodigin overdose

Poisonous Ingredient

Cardiac glycoside is a chemical that has effects on the heart, stomach, intestines, and nervous system. It is the active ingredient in many different heart medicines. It can be poisonous if taken in large amounts.

Where Found

Cardiac glycosides are the main (active) ingredients in certain prescription medicines, including:

• Deslanoside (cedilanin-D)
• Digitoxin (Crystodigin)
• Digoxin (Lanoxicaps, Lanoxin)

Cardiac glycosides also occur naturally in certain plants. For information on poisoning from such plants, see:

• Foxglove poisoning
• Oleander poisoning

Note: This list may not be all-inclusive.

Symptoms

• Eyes, ears, nose, and throat
  • Blurred vision
  • Halos around objects (yellow, green, white) *
• Skin
  • Allergic reaction (see: Stevens-Johnson syndrome)
  • Hives
  • Rash
• Gastrointestinal
  • Diarrhea
  • Loss of appetite*
  • Nausea
  • Stomach pain
  • Vomiting
• Heart and blood
  • Irregular heartbeat (or slow)
  • Weakness
• Nervous system
  • Confusion
  • Depression*
  • Disorientation
  • Drowsiness
  • Fainting
  • Hallucinations*
  • Headache
  • Lethargy
• Psychological system
  • Apathy (not caring what happens)

* These symptoms are usually only seen with chronic overdose cases.

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