Digitek Recall due to risk of Digitalis Toxicity

Austin Kirk

By Austin Kirk
Posted May 4, 2008

ADD YOUR COMMENTS 9

Last week Actavis Totowa announced a nationwide Digitek recall due to manufacturing defects which caused some of the digoxin tablets to contain double the appropriate amount of active ingredients. This could lead to a substantial risk of a serious and potentially fatal illness, known as digitalis toxicity, especially among those with renal failure. The lawyers at Saiontz & Kirk, P.A. are reviewing potential Digitek recall lawsuits throughout the United States.

Digitek (digoxin) is a medication approved to treat heart failure and abnormal heart rhythms. The Digitek recall applies to about half of the digoxin supply in the United States. The tablets, which were manufactured by a division of Actavis Group, were distrubted by Mylan Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and UDL Laboratories,Inc. under the labels “Bertek Digitek” and “UDL Digitek”.

The Digitek recall was initiated after Actavis received a number of reports of severe illness, known as digitalis toxicity. According to some reports, the manufacturer began receiving notice as early as 2006 about potential Digitek side effects which could have been associated with twice the active ingredient being contained in the tablets.

Digitalis toxicity is a serious and potentially fatal illness which is known to occur in people with impaired kidney function, particularly those with renal failure. It is caused by excessive amounts of digitalis accumulating in the body. Symptoms of Digitalis Toxicity include:

  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Dizziness
  • Low Blood Pressure
  • Cardiac Instability
  • Bradycardia

DIGITEK RECALL LAWYERS

The recall lawyers at Saiontz & Kirk, P.A. are investigating potential Digitex lawsuits on behalf of users of the medication who have required medical treatment as a result of digitalis toxicity. If you, a friend or family member have experienced Digitek problems, request a free consultation and claim evaluation.

9 Comments • Add Your Comments

  • Mark Heiss says:

    I have been taking Digitek for over three years now. I contacted the “Caremark” pharmacy and they advised what I have been taking is the recalled type. I found out about the recall from my brother who also takes Digitek. “Caremark” pharmacy made no attempt to contact me.

    Posted on May 6, 2008 at 11:12 am

  • K. Hughes says:

    My grandmother was placed on Digoxin around the begining of July 2007 for a new onset of Atrial Fibrillation….approximetly two weeks later we noticed she started to sleep alot more, had periods of confusion, and was just not herself… another week later my mother came home to find my grandmother very much “out of it” at the dinning room table. She apparently had more confusion and had taken three days worth of medication, including another three days worth of Digoxin. She was rushed to the hospital, which is where she stayed for six weeks….it was periods of ups and downs…She in turn had Sick Sinus Syndrome and a pacemaker was placed, and in the end had multisystem organ failiure…. At first we thought it was just age, but after more research and also the letter from Walgreens, we began to think it was more along the lines of Digoxin poisoning. I hope whoever is at fault pays others who are still living with other side effects that have occured from this

    Posted on July 23, 2008 at 9:35 am

  • Marianne says:

    Anyone on the Digoxin/Digitek should be taking their pulse before taking the drug because if your pulse is 60 or lower hold the drug. You should be monitored regularly by your physician with blood work to determine toxicity. Everyone who is started on this medication should have been taught to check their pulse.

    Posted on March 15, 2009 at 5:45 pm

  • Anne says:

    My Dad was on Digoxin in 2008 and he was very sick for while !

    Posted on January 13, 2013 at 2:53 pm

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