Kevin M - I believe that potassium and digoxin competitively bind for Na/K ATPase so if potassium levels are low there is increased Digoxin binding and therefore increased toxicity.
I recently cared for a young woman who ingested a large amount of almendra quema grasa which is a diet herbal remedy that is also a cardiac glycoside. She became bradycardic and hypotensive. I ordered 10 vials of Digibind initially per poison control's recommendation but our hospital only had 3 vials available. I administered the three but she did not improve. We sent a courier for additional vials at a hospital 20min away but unfortunately the patient did not make it. First dig level came back above 3 and the second level above 4. My question is whether there is a general recommendation for how many vials of digibind should be kept on standby in a hospital pharmacy?
To join the conversation, you need to subscribe.
Sign up today for full access to all episodes and to join the conversation.
Kevin M. - July 30, 2012 2:55 PM
Great talk....However, I STILL don't understand how hypokalemia makes dig toxicity worse.
Simon W. - September 3, 2014 10:22 PM
Kevin M - I believe that potassium and digoxin competitively bind for Na/K ATPase so if potassium levels are low there is increased Digoxin binding and therefore increased toxicity.
Matt H. - February 27, 2017 12:58 PM
I recently cared for a young woman who ingested a large amount of almendra quema grasa which is a diet herbal remedy that is also a cardiac glycoside. She became bradycardic and hypotensive. I ordered 10 vials of Digibind initially per poison control's recommendation but our hospital only had 3 vials available. I administered the three but she did not improve. We sent a courier for additional vials at a hospital 20min away but unfortunately the patient did not make it. First dig level came back above 3 and the second level above 4. My question is whether there is a general recommendation for how many vials of digibind should be kept on standby in a hospital pharmacy?