Digitalis is a drug used to treat heart failure and arrhythmias.
Digitalis poisoning is when symptoms occur as a result of an excessive dose of the drug. It occurs as a result of excessive intake, reduced tolerance or reduced elimination of the drug.
Symptoms include irregular heartbeat, altered level of consciousness, weakness, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, loss of appetite, reduced urine output, etc. If the intoxication is chronic, visual symptoms are added, such as changes in colour vision (chromatopsia), double vision (diplopia), discomfort when looking at light (photophobia) and varying degrees of blindness.
Diagnosis is made by taking a medical history, performing a physical examination and carrying out additional tests such as an electrocardiogram and a blood test.
Treatment must be given in hospital and is based on supportive measures to ensure airway patency, correct ventilation and spontaneous circulation.
In the most severe cases, with acute arrhythmias and arterial hypotension, specific antibodies to digoxin must be administered.
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