Digitek
US, Canada and Puerto Rico
Digitek is a prescription drug created to treat abnormal heart rhythms and heart failure. In the spring of 2008, the drug was recalled after the manufacturer realized some of the pills contained twice the normal dosage. An overdose of Digitek’s main ingredient, digoxin, can result in serious side effects such as kidney failure, cardiac instability and death. If you have suffered injuries after taking the faulty drug, please contact the dangerous drug lawyers at Balkin & Eisbrouch, LLC today to discuss your claim.
About Digitek
Digitek is the brand name for digoxin, which is made from digitalis, a plant family that includes the flower “foxgloves” (digitalis purpurea). The benefit of foxgloves' digitalis for the treatment of heart conditions dates back to the 1700s. Even before then, the flower was used as a traditional medicine to reduce fluid build-up or swelling in the heart.
Digitek’s Role in Strengthening and Regulating your Heart
Marketed by GlaxoSmithKline, Digitek is used to make your heart beats stronger and more regularly. Among the conditions that the Digitek drug is prescribed to treat are:
- Atrial Fibrillation: This is an irregular heartbeat known as arrhythmia, which affects the upper chamber of your heart.
- Congestive Heart Failure: A condition where your heart is unable to supply a sufficient amount of blood to meet your body’s needs.
Besides addressing these conditions, Digitek also helps to improve your blood circulation and reduce swelling in the ankles and hands of those plagued with heart problems.
Forms of Digitek
The prescription-only drug Digitek is available in the following forms:
- Digitek Digoxin Tablets
- An intravenous injection
- Liquid-filled capsules
- An elixir (sweet flavored liquid)
The Recall
In April 2008, the drug manufacturer made a mistake. Some of the Digitek oral tablets were created with twice the level of digoxin, its active ingredient. The drug maker issued the mandatory recall because even the smallest overdose of digoxin can cause severe injuries.
Side Effects
Some of the milder health issues associated with Digitek include:
- Abdominal pain
- Nausea and vomiting
- Male breast enlargement in men
- Mild skin rash
- Diarrhea
- Dizziness
- Fatigue
- Headache
- Loss of appetite
More serious and life-threatening side effects can include:
- Acute psychosis
- Heart blockages
- Severe allergic reaction (marked by facial and tongue swelling, widespread rash and breathing difficulty)
- Delirium and/or hallucination
- Depression
- Worsened arrhythmias
You do not have to suffer from a medication that is supposed to help save your life. If you are taking Digitek and are experiencing adverse side effects, please contact the dangerous drug attorneys at Balkin & Eisbrouch, LLC as soon as possible to discuss your claim and the compensation to which you may be entitled. We serve clients in the United States, Puerto Rico and Canada.
