MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia: Foxglove poisoning

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Foxglove poisoning

Contents of this page:
Illustrations Alternative Names Definition Poisonous Ingredient Where Found	Symptoms Before Calling Emergency Poison Control What to Expect at the Emergency Room Outlook (Prognosis)

Illustrations

Foxglove (Digitalis purpurea)

Alternative Names Return to top

Willow-leaved foxglove poisoning; Revebjelle poisoning

Definition Return to top

Foxglove poisoning usually occurs from sucking the flowers or eating the seeds, stems, or leaves of the foxglove plant.

Poisoning may also result from taking excessive amounts of medicines made from foxglove, including digoxin, a common heart medication.

Poisonous Ingredient Return to top

Deslanoside
Digitoxin
Digoxin
Digitalis glycosides

Where Found Return to top

Flowers, leaves, stems, and seeds of the foxglove plant
Digitalis glycosides (heart medicine)

Symptoms Return to top

Possible symptoms include:

Blurred vision
Halos around objects (yellow, green, white)
Rash or hives
Vomiting, nausea, or diarrhea
Stomach pain
Loss of appetite
Irregular or slow heartbeat
Low blood pressure
Weakness or drowsiness
Confusion
Fainting
Lethargy
Disorientation or hallucinations
Headache
Depression

Hallucinations, loss of appetite, and halos are usually only seen in people who have been poisoned over a long period of time.

Before Calling Emergency Return to top

Determine the following information:

Patient's age, weight, and condition
Name of the plant or medication, if known
Time it was swallowed
Amount swallowed

Poison Control Return to top

The National Poison Control Center (1-800-222-1222) can be called from anywhere in the United States. This national hotline number will let you talk to experts in poisoning. They will give you further instructions.

This is a free and confidential service. All local poison control centers in the U.S. use this national number. You should call if you have any questions about poisoning or poison prevention. It does NOT need to be an emergency. You can call for any reason, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Bring the plant with you to the emergency room, if possible.

See National Poison Control Center.

What to Expect at the Emergency Room Return to top

The health care provider will measure and monitor the patient's vital signs, including temperature, pulse, breathing rate, and blood pressure.

The patient may receive:

Medicines to treat symptoms
EKG
Activated charcoal
Methods to make the person throw up
A nasogastric (NG) tube thru the nose into the stomach to empty the stomach (gastric lavage)
Blood tests to determine digitalis, magnesium, and potassium levels
Medicine to reverse the effect of the poison
Medicines to correct any electrolyte (potassium, magnesium) imbalances

Outlook (Prognosis) Return to top

If the individual survives the first 24 hours, the chances of survival are very good.

Update Date: 3/21/2006

Updated by: Eric Perez, MD, Department of Emergency Medicine, St. Luke's-RooseveltHospital Center, New York, NY. Review provided by VeriMed HealthcareNetwork.

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