Failed suicide attempt A case report: Digoxin and insulin toxicity, antagonist effect

Abstract

Digoxin is used to treat heart failure and arrhythmias. Even though its used is decreased, the toxicity of digoxin still remains a problem for physicians. We present a case of a middle-aged male pharmacist, diabetic, who intentionally ingested a toxic dose of digoxin and insulin with his random blood glucose (RBS) of 40mg/dl. He was hemodynamically stable and his ECG showed no arrhythmias. His initial investigations showed normal potassium level and digoxin level of >7.51ng/ml. He was closely observed in the emergency Department (ED). Patient was admitted to the hospital for close observation. Even though the patient’s digoxin level was toxic; his potassium levels were within the normal limits, and his vitals and serial ECGs were all unremarkable. These Findings shine the light regarding the insulin and digoxin, in that the insulin maybe a life saving intervention in case of digoxin toxicity.