What is Digitalis Toxicity?
While the intended goal of taking the heart medicine digitalis toxicity was to improve the overall condition of the patient, there have been instances where the ingestion of the drug backfired.
One of the most common negative results derived from taking the heart drug bertek (aka digoxin) is digitalis toxicity which is when the body is essentially poisoned by high concentrations of digitalis in the bloodstream.
Sadly, this problem does little for making people feel comfortable about their physicians and drug companies. In a way, the release of such a problematic drug with such an adverse side effect truly throws the patient-doctor relationship for a loop.
There are a number of reasons why a person may seek the help of a physician. Regardless of the reason for this visit, the end goal will be the same from patient to patient: the individual is seeking a cure for an ill. If a cure is not available then the patient is seeking alleviation from the pain their problem is causing them. This all sounds simple enough, correct? Well, life would be much easier if everything was simple but the sad fact remains that complexities abound everywhere. Yes, even in the very simple and cut and dry method of finding a resolution for one's ills.
If a person is sick and is prescribed a drug then the person has all reasonable expectation to be helped. Unfortunately, this is not always the case. Sometimes the ingestion of the drug brings with it unintended consequences. On a minute level, the drug simply might not deliver on its intended promises. In such an instance, it may be necessary to visit the physician a second time and seek an alternative. Such a problematic occurrence is often not all that big of a deal. However, there will be instances where the end result is a catastrophic one. Case in point, ingesting Bertek can bring about the onset of the aforementioned digitalis toxicity.
The symptoms of digitalis toxicity are quite varied and include visual problems such as blurry vision or seeing bright spots; a loss of appetite; a feeling of confusion or disorientation; irregular or speeded up heart beat; and significant nausea or vomiting. Needless to say, none of these symptoms are easy to deal with and that is why drugs such as digoxin have developed a bad reputation.
What is most frightening about digitalis toxicity is the fact that one does not have to exceed the recommended dosage of a drug to suffer from this problem. That is, even a single dosage can lead to the onset of toxicity. Of course, the odds of such toxicity occurring increase if the recommended dosage is exceeded. But, remaining in the recommended dosage level will not provide any guarantee that an adverse effect will not occur.
If a patient feels he or she is suffering from any of these negative side effects it is critical to consult a physician as soon as possible. If the prescribing physician is not available then it becomes necessary to visit and urgent care facility or even an emergency room. It is also critical to never try and self diagnose the situation. That is, do not assume that nothing is wrong and that the problems will go away. Instead, seek the advice of a qualified medical professional.
Also, if any injuries have been suffered it would also be best to consult with a qualified attorney. More specifically, it is best to consult with an attorney who has experience dealing with this particular problem. This way damages can be recouped in order to deal with the multitude of problems these symptoms can yield.
