Manufactured by Actavis Totowa, Digitek (generically digoxin) is an oral medication used in the treatment of various heart conditions, including heart failure, atrial fibrillation and/or atrial flutter. By slowing patients’ heart rates, Digitek effectively normalizes the heart’s rhythm and can improve heart health. Digitek has been FDA approved and available in the U.S. since December 1999. Digoxin may also be sold under the brand name Digitalis.
Digitek Side Effects
Despite being an effective heart medication, Digitek has been found to cause a range of mild to severe side effects, the most serious of which include:
- Acute psychosis
- Cardiac toxicity
- Continued or worse arrhythmia
- Heart block
- Hemorrhagic necrosis of the intestines (bleeding and death of the intestinal tissues)
- Intestinal ischemia (a block of blood flow to the intestines)
- Mental disturbances (such as anxiety, depression, hallucinations, delirium)
- Severe allergic reaction (marked by facial/tongue swelling, skin rash, hives and/or breathing difficulties)
Risk Factors for Digitek Side Effects
Some patients will be more likely to develop severe Digitek side effects than others. Those with the greatest risk include patients with a history of:
- Kidney or liver problems
- Low levels of potassium, calcium or magnesium in the blood
- Lung conditions
- Thyroid problems
- Taking certain medications, including (not limited to) amiodarone, diuretics, quinine, acarbose, spironolactone and/or antacids
To fully assess your risk, it’s crucial that you discuss your complete medical history with your doctor before starting a course of Digitek. High-risk patients should work with their doctor to find an alternative heart medication.
FDA Issues Digitek Recall
In April 2008, the FDA issued a Class I recall on all Digitek pills due to the possibility that some were double the thickness and double the appropriate dose. Overdosing on Digitek can have fatal consequences. The recall included the following lot numbers:
For 125 mcg (0.125 mg) Digitek pills:
- 7A666, 7/08
- 7F048, 10/08
- 7D352, 12/08
- 7P862, 3/09
- 8C515, 9/09
- 6S406, 5/08
- 7J541, 1/09
- 7M709, 3/09
- 7P965, 4/09
- 8B371, 8/09
For 250 mcg (0.25 mg) Digitek pills:
- 6S379, 5/08
- 7C971, 9/08
- 7J535, 1/09
- 7V200, 6/09
- 7P963, 4/09
- 8A332, 7/09
Help for Injured Victims
If you or someone you love has been injured by Digitek and are looking for an attorney who can help you recover the compensation you need and deserve, contact our law offices today. Gacovino, Lake and Associates has been helping people and families harmed by dangerous drugs for many years. In the past ten years, we have successfully litigated more than 20,000 cases and have recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for injured persons. To schedule a private discussion of your situation, please contact our defective drug attorneys today.
