The pharmaceutical company Actavis Totowa is recalling the prescription drug Digitek, used to treat heart failure and abnormal heart rhythms. The drug is being recalled because of a risk that recently manufactured tablets may contain twice the approved level of the active ingredient, digitalis.

The toxicity of digitalis can cause nausea, vomiting, dizziness, low blood pressure, cardiac instability, bradycardia and possibly death. Several illnesses and injuries have been reported by patients.

The existence of double-strength tablets poses a risk of digitalis toxicity in patients with renal failure or impaired kidney function. Individuals with renal failure could suffer from a potentially fatal illness known as digitalis toxicity. This occurs when an excessive amount of digitalis accumulates in the body.

Digitalis toxicity symptoms could include:

• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Dizziness
• Low Blood Pressure
• Cardiac Instability
• Bradycardia (slow heartbeat)
• Death

Digitalis toxicity can occur from a single exposure to the medication. Other symptoms of digitalis toxicity include unusual visual changes, loss of appetite, confusion and irregular pulse. In order to diagnose digitalis toxicity, blood work may be taken and an EKG may be performed to check for heart disturbances.

Patients who have suffered from digitalis toxicity or that have suffered other medical complication as a result of the medication have begun filing lawsuits in West Virginia alleging that the product liability statutes have been violated due to the defective product. If you have been adversely affected from Digitek and feel you are entitled to compensation from the manufacturer, you should seek the advice of an experienced personal injury lawyer.

For more information, contact the Warner Law Offices, PLLC.