title: Combined intoxication with digitoxin and verapamil. The possible inhibition of sensitisation to digitalis-specific antiserum by toxic drug concentrations.
abstract: The clinical course in a patient with a combined intoxication with digitoxin (maximal serum level 357 nmol/l) and verapamil is described. The patient received two injections of digitalis-specific antiserum. No adverse reactions to the therapy was seen, and the antiserum markedly shortened the plasma half-life of digitoxin. In vitro studies indicate that digitoxin in concentrations seen during the intoxication may have an immunosuppressive effect, thereby reducing the risk of sensitisation to the antiserum.
authors.affiliation: Medical Department, University School of Medicine, Bergen, Norway.
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Bruserud
authors.forename: B T
authors.initials: BT
authors.lastname: Skadberg
authors.forename: O J
authors.initials: OJ
authors.lastname: Ohm
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000906:Antibodies / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004074:Digitoxin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000276:immunology / Q000506:poisoning*; D006801:Humans; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation / Q000187:drug effects; D008297:Male; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology; D014700:Verapamil / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000506:poisoning*
chemical_list: D000906:Antibodies; D014700:Verapamil; D004074:Digitoxin