Digitek, a brand of digoxin, is a widely used treatment for various heart conditions such as atrial fibrillation, atrial flutter and heart failure.

According to the complaint, the companies received a warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) that they failed to provide periodic safety reports for the facility where the medication was manufactured. By failing to provide the safety reports, the companies violated their adverse medical event reporting obligations. The FDA also warned that the drugs were being marketed without proper clearance and that at least 26 adverse events with the drug had not been reported.

In 2008, the FDA issued an alert to the public of a recall of Digitek, after it was found that some tablets had been distributed at double the thickness. Those oversized pills were thought to contain double the active ingredient. As a result, some patients experienced digoxin toxicity, which can result in life-threatening complications.

The complaint states, “The recalled Digitek was adulterated, misbranded, defective, unreasonably dangerous and unfit for its intended use.” Plaintiffs also contend that Actavis and Mylan Pharmaceuticals “placed tens of thousands of patients, including Decedent, unnecessarily at risk of serious injury and/or death and may have caused them to suffer personal injuries and harm, including medical expenses, anxiety and fear induced from ingesting the defective and misbranded drug.” The plaintiffs are asking for a trial by jury.

Source: The Southeast Texas Record

SOURCE: Digitek Recall › Product liability lawsuit filed against Digitek manufacturer, distributor

Digoxin is a drug product used to treat heart failure and abnormal heart rhythms. A higher than labeled dose may pose a risk of digoxin toxicity in patients with renal failure. Digoxin toxicity can cause nausea, vomiting, dizziness, low blood pressure, cardiac instability, and bradycardia. Death can also result from excessive digoxin intake. A lower than labeled dose may pose a risk of lack of efficacy potentially resulting in cardiac instability. Caraco is recalling these tablets to the consumer level to minimize any potential risk to patients.

Last year, Actavis Totowa LLC, a generic pharmaceutical company initiated a Class 1 recall on Digitek brand digoxin tablets when it was learned that some tablets were oversized and contained twice the level of active ingredient, putting consumers at risk.

Consumers of Caraco’s digoxin tablets that fall within the recall should return these products to their pharmacy or place of purchase. Patients who have medical questions should contact their healthcare provider for additional instructions or guidance.

Source: FDA

SOURCE: Digitek Recall › Caraco brand digoxin recalled; could put consumers at risk

The fact sheets will be used in court to determine whether Mylan Pharmaceuticals of West Virginia, Actavis US and DUL Laboratories misrepresented Digitek as safe and whether physicians and patients relied on those “misrepresentations and deceptions” in choosing to use the heart medicine.

Digitek is used in the treatment of various heart conditions such as atrial fibrillation, atrial flutter and heart failure. In 2008, the FDA issued an alert to the public of a recall of Digitek, after it was found that some tablets had been released at double the thickness, which were thought to contain double the active ingredient. As a result, some patients experienced digoxin toxicity, which can result in life-threatening complications.

The lawsuit argues that, “Plaintiffs have sustained severe physical injuries and/or death, severe emotional distress, mental anguish, economic losses and other damages for which they are entitled to compensatory and equitable damages.”

The fact sheets require plaintiffs to detail 10 years of medical history including the names of every doctor who saw them, every hospital that admitted them and every pharmacy that dispensed medications to them, as well as providing full disclosure for psychological disorders, substances abuse and acquired immune deficiency syndrome. They also are required to list all drugs they have taken and list possible side effects, complete a chart of diagnoses of family members, and state how much they smoke, how long they have smoked, and how much and how often they drink alcohol. They must complete charts of Digitek or Lanoxin pills usage. And, plaintiffs must submit job records including pensions and insurance and disclose all workers compensation claims, disability claims and personal injury lawsuits.

To date, more than 100 Digitek lawsuits have been transferred to U.S. District Judge Joseph Goodwin, and more are expected to be added.

SOURCE: Digitek Recall › Those suing for Digitek injury must fill out lengthy fact sheets

Digitek is a medication widely used to treat heart conditions that cannot be controlled by other medications. Incorrect dosing of the medication can be dangerous, and sometimes fatal. In April 2008, Digitek’s manufacturers issued a nationwide recall because the pills contained twice the amount of the active ingredient. The oversized pills posed a serious risk of digoxin toxicity especially in patients with renal failure.

On behalf of her husband, Rosina Michna has filed a lawsuit alleging medical negligence against the doctor who initially prescribed Digitek but didn’t monitor his blood levels. She also is suing the numerous pharmaceutical companies involved in the manufacture, marketing and distributing of Digitek for negligence, according to the Marin Independent Journal.

An initial hearing of the lawsuit is set for April 27, 2009.

SOURCE: Digitek Recall › Widow files suit against doctor, pharmaceutical companies