Digitek is a brand name of a drug known as digoxin. Digoxin is extracted from the leaves of a plant called Digitalis lanata, according to RxList.com. Digoxin is a commonly prescribed drug used to treat various forms of heart disease such as congestive heart failure and rhythm problems. It acts on the heart by increasing the strength and efficiency of the heart's pumping ability and thereby improves blood circulation. It is often prescribed with a diuretic to further improve circulation. There are several possible side effects from taking this drug.
Cardiac
According to Drugs.com, different types of cardiac anomalies are the most common side effect of digoxin. Premature ventricular contraction, or PVC, is the most likely to occur. Normally, the heartbeat begins with specialized electrical cells near the top of the heart that cause contraction of the smaller heart chambers, called the atria, first. The electrical impulse then moves into the ventricles, but in the case of PVC, the ventricle contracts early and causes a disruption in the heartbeat and flow of blood. Other abnormal heart rhythms can be experienced by individuals taking digoxin that interfere with normal electrical conduction. Digoxin can even cause a complete heart block where electrical impulses do not pass on to the ventricles at all.
Gastrointestinal
Gastrointestinal side effects account for about one-fourth of all side effects related to digoxin, according to RxList.com. Digoxin has been known to cause anorexia, nausea and vomiting. Generalized abdominal pain is also a common gastrointestinal side effect but is not normally severe. In rare cases, severe abdominal pain may be experienced. Other rare gastrointestinal side effects include intestinal ischemia or bleeding necrosis of the intestine, difficulty swallowing and changes in muscle control of the esophagus, notes RxList.com.
Nervous System
About 25 percent of all patients taking digoxin will report some form of nervous system side effects, according to Drugs.com. Dizziness, headaches and muscle weakness are common, according to PubMed. Drugs.com also notes that at least one case of trigeminal neuralgia has been reported. Trigeminal neuralgia is a condition that causes chronic severe pain in the trigeminal nerve, which supplies sensation to the face. Individuals with this condition may have severe attacks of pain with even mild stimulation of the face.
Hormonal
Prolonged use of digoxin has been linked to several alterations in hormone levels in some people, according to Drugs.com. Some of these conditions include significantly increased blood estrogen levels, decreased luteinizing hormone levels and decreased testosterone levels, all of which have combined to cause gynecomastia in some patients, states RxList.com. Gynecomastia is the development of large breasts in males.
Psychological
Psychiatric disorders have also been noted, such as decreased memory and cognition. Some patients have had side effects of depression and disorientation, according to HealthScout.com.
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