DIGOXIN IMMUNE FAB

Generic Name: digoxin immune fab

Brand Name: Digibind and DigiFab

Description: Digoxin immune fab is an antidote for digoxin toxicity. It binds to digoxin and prevents it from working in the body.
Pharmacokinetics:
Excretion: Half-life elimination: 15-20 hr; may be prolonged with renal impairment. Excreted in the urine.

Uses

Indications:

Treating severe, possibly life-threatening digoxin or digitoxin overdose.

Manifestations of life-threatening toxicity include severe ventricular arrhythmias such as ventricular tachycardia or ventricular fibrillation, or progressive bradyarrhythmias such as severe sinus bradycardia or second or third degree heart block not responsive to atropine.

Ingestion of more than 10 mg of digoxin in previously healthy adults or 4 mg of digoxin in previously healthy children, or ingestion causing steady-state serum concentrations greater than 10 ng/mL, often results in cardiac arrest. Digitalis-induced progressive elevation of the serum potassium concentration also suggests imminent cardiac arrest. If the potassium concentration exceeds 5 mEq/L in the setting of severe digitalis intoxication, therapy with DIGIBIND (digoxin immune fab) is indicated.

Contraindications:

None

Warnings

Not available.

Side Effects

Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur:

severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing;
tightness in the chest;
swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue);
fast or irregular heartbeat;
fever

Precautions

Precautions:

After treatment with digoxin immune fab, the serum potassium concentration may drop rapidly and must be monitored frequently, especially over the first several hours after digoxin immune fab is given.

Patients with intrinsically poor cardiac function may deteriorate from withdrawal of the inotropic action of digoxin. When needed, additional support can be provided by use of intravenous inotropes, such as dopamine or dobutamine, or vasodilators. One must be careful in using catecholamines not to aggravate digitalis toxic rhythm disturbances. Clearly, other types of digitalis glycosides should not be used in this setting.

Redigitalization should be postponed, if possible, until the Fab fragments have been eliminated from the body, which may require several days. Patients with impaired renal function may require a week or longer.

Interactions:

Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with digoxin immune fab. However, no specific interactions with digoxin immune fab are known at this time.

Overdose & Brands

Overdose:

This medicine may be harmful if swallowed. If swallowing or overdose is suspected, contact a poison control center or emergency room immediately.

Storage

Digoxin immune fab is usually handled and stored by a health care provider. If you are using digoxin immune fab at home, store digoxin immune fab as directed by your pharmacist or health care provider. Keep digoxin immune fab out of the reach of children and away from pets.

Brands:

There are no brands containing this molecule.