Foxglove poisoning

Definition

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.

Alternative Names

Poisonous Ingredient

• Deslanoside
• Digitoxin
• Digoxin
• Digitalis glycosides

Where Found

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

Symptoms

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

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, or a local emergency number

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

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

Expectations (prognosis)

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