title: Mixed intoxication with Aconitum nappellans (monkshood) and Digitalis grandiflora (large yellow foxglove).
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Intoxications are frequent and relevant medical problems in emergency units.
  
  
  METHODS
  We report of a mixed intoxication with monkshood and large yellow foxglove. A 39-year-old mentally ill drug addict, intent on committing suicide, swallowed an undefined amount of chaffed monkshood and large yellow foxglove. The typical symptoms of an intoxication occurred, including high-grade ventricular and supraventricular tachyarrhythmias, colic abdominal pain, and peripheral paralysis. After activated charcoal was repeatedly administered as well as FAB digitalis-antibodies, a lasting normalisation of the heart rhythm set in and a release of the clinical symptoms could be observed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  FAB antibodies are a safe antidote for herbal digitalis intoxication. Therapy of choice for an aconitum poisoning is activated charcoal and intensive monitoring.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Inselspital, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Alexander
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kunz
authors.forename: Hans
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Marty
authors.forename: Felix
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Nohl
authors.forename: Wolfgang
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Schmitt
authors.forename: Uwe
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Schiemann
mesh_terms: D031841:Aconitum / Q000506:poisoning*; D000328:Adult; D004070:Digitalis / Q000506:poisoning*; D004452:Echocardiography; D006801:Humans; D007140:Immunoglobulin Fab Fragments / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male
chemical_list: D007140:Immunoglobulin Fab Fragments