Bitter pill to swallow: a case of accidental poisoning with digitalis purpurea.
While digitoxicity secondary to therapeutic use is frequent, due to its distinctive appearance and unpleasant taste accidental ingestion of digitalis purpurea (foxglove) is uncommon. This report relates the case of two previously healthy individuals who inadvertently consumed significant quantities of digitalis in its plant form. Both men presented in first-degree atrioventricular block and had digoxin levels of 4.9 μg/litre, but were otherwise stable and made unremarkable recoveries with repeated dose activated charcoal.
ST1 Core Medical Training, Wishaw General Hospital, Lanarkshire, Scotland. andrewjmitchell@doctors.org.uk
Andrew
A
Mitchell
D000059:Accidents; D000328:Adult; D054537:Atrioventricular Block / Q000097:blood / Q000139:chemically induced*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004070:Digitalis / Q000506:poisoning*; D004077:Digoxin / Q000097:blood; D004562:Electrocardiography; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital; D005517:Foodborne Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010939:Plant Poisoning / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy; D013649:Taste
D004077:Digoxin