Digitek Digoxin: Important Facts for Patients

Digoxin, also known as Digitalis, Lanoxin, Digitek, and Lanoxicaps, is a refined plant extract, a purified cardiac glycoside(drugs used in the treatment of congestive heart failure and arrythmia .

It is widely used in the treatment of various heart conditions, namely atrial fibrilation and atrial flutter, both abnormal heart rhythms It is sometimes prescribed for heart failure that cannot be controlled by other medication.

Digoxin is commonly marketed under the name Lanoxin, Digitek, and Lanoxicaps, and has been manufactured widely in the United States by the pharmaceutical company Actavis Totowa LLC, formerly known as formerly known as Amide Pharmaceutical, Inc. It is the New Jersey headquartered and United States based manufacturing division of the international pharmaceutical company Actavis Group, a well known manufacturer and distributor of generic versions of previously name-brand drugs.

Digitek Recall

On April 25, 2008, Actavis Totowa initiated a Class 1 nationwide recall of Digitek (digoxin tablets, USP, all strengths) for oral use. The products are distributed by Mylan Pharmaceuticals, Inc. under a "Bertek" label and by UDL Laboratories, Inc. under a "UDL" label.

According to the Actavis website: The voluntary all-lot recall is due to the possibility that tablets with double the appropriate thickness may have been commercially released. These tablets may contain twice the approved level of active ingredient than is appropriate.

Digitek Side Effects

The posting indicates, as do other reports, that both of the Mylan Pharmaceuticals laboratories(Bertek and UDL) incorrectly manufactured the Digitek pills with double the amount of active medicine, spiking the risk of side effects dramatically.

Common side effects include: loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, blurred vision, visual disturbances (yellow-green halos), confusion, drowsiness, dizziness, nightmares, agitation, and/or depression. Less frequent adverse effects include: acute psychosis, delirium, amnesia, and the possibility of life-threatening heart complications, including additional arrythmia episodes and heart failure. Additionally, Digitek has been shown to be deadly in overdose situations.

Digitek Lawsuits

Indeed, several postings on consumer health and recall websites reflect the outrage over this egregious error. Reports of illnesses, complications and even deaths consistent with the relevant side effects of overdosing have been surfacing in the press over the last month.

These reports, coupled with the Class 1 nationwide recall of all Digoxin tablets distributed by Mylan Pharmaceuticals, and the additional reports released by the FDA and other independent health care professionals lead to a sincere possibility of a Class Action or Mass Tort lawsuit. In fact, several law firms have already reported the beginnings of proceedings in such cases where overdoses from Digoxin have injured clients and caused dangerous, damaging, or deadly side effects.