Digitek (also known as Digoxin) is a heart medication used to treat heart failure, and abnormal heart rhythms like atrial flutter and atrial fibrillation. The drug is manufactured by Actavis Totowa, and is distributed by Mylan Pharmaceuticals and UDL laboratories, Inc., under a ?Bertek? and ?UDL? label.



On April 25, 2008, a nationwide Digitek recall was issued for all lots of the medication because of a manufacturing defect. The defective Digitek tablets contained twice as much of the active ingredient that is recommended, which results in digitalis toxicity. Patients should receive a recall notice from their pharmacist or from the manufacturer.

The double dose tablets when ingested can result in serious medical complications. Digitalis toxicity is very serious, and can lead to life threatening heart problems, including death. Individuals who have experienced problems of digitalis overdose should seek immediate medical attention. Most individuals who may have been given the double dose Digitek tablet shave already received letters in the mail from their doctors or their pharmacy. However, many are just now learning that a Digitek overdose may have caused their problems. Digitek is a widely mail-ordered drug and is provided in many retail chains like Walmart, Target and Costco.

The drug has been branded under Cardoxin, Digitek, Lanoxicaps, and Lanoxin.

According to the US Department of Health and Human Services, the manufacturer, Actavis Totowas, was warned by HHS after an FDA inspection that took place as early as the summer of 2006. The FDA issued a warning letter to Actavis for failing to provide period safety reports at its oral dose manufacturing plant in Little falls New Jersey.

Digitalis toxicity or overdose can occur from a single exposure or chronic overmedication of digitalis. The patients who have taken the double dose Digitek tables have had serious health repercussions, and many have died from the toxic levels in their system. How do you know if you have taken a defective tablet?

Digitek Side Effects

What are Some of the Digitalis Toxicity Symptoms?

Difficulty breathing

Nausea and vomiting

Low blood pressure

Changes in urine

Swelling

Heart palpitations ? irregular heart beat

Confusion and dizziness

Blurred vision

Changes in color perception

Other vision problems like blind spots and halos

Digitek Lawsuit and Litigation

The United States Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation has ordered all federal lawsuits related to defective double strength Digitek to be moved to the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of West Virginia. To date, over 60 Digitek Lawsuits have been filed in federal courts across the country. Defendants include the following:

Actavis Totowa, LLC

Actavis Inc.

Actavis Elzabeth LLC

Actavis US,

Mylan Inc

Mylan Pharmaceuticals Inc

Mylan Laboratories Inc

Mylan Bertek Pharmaceuticals

UDL Laboratories Inc.

The manufacturers who are responsible for placing the toxic double dose Digitek tablets on the market should be held accountable for their actions and negligence. Moreover, the people who have suffered should be treated fairly and compensated for their losses.

This article should not be regarded as legal advice. It is provided as a public service.