What is the reversal agent for digoxin toxicity?

What is the reversal agent for digoxin toxicity?

• A. Calcium gluconate
• B. Protamine sulfate
• C. DigiFab
• D. Vitamin K

Answer: (C)

Digoxin toxicity is reversed by a specific antidote that directly neutralizes the drug. Digoxin works by inhibiting the Na+/K+-ATPase pump in heart cells, which increases intracellular calcium and boosts contractility, but when digoxin levels are high, this can cause dangerous arrhythmias and hyperkalemia. The reversal is achieved with digoxin-specific antibody fragments that bind free digoxin in the bloodstream, forming an inactive complex that is cleared from the body. This rapidly lowers the active drug concentration at its site of action, reversing the harmful cardiac effects. Because this antidote specifically targets digoxin, it is the treatment of choice in life-threatening toxicity or very high digoxin levels. Other options listed are not antidotes to digoxin: calcium gluconate may help stabilize the heart in some toxicity scenarios or address hyperkalemia, but it does not neutralize digoxin; protamine reverses heparin; vitamin K reverses warfarin.

Digoxin toxicity is reversed by a specific antidote that directly neutralizes the drug. Digoxin works by inhibiting the Na+/K+-ATPase pump in heart cells, which increases intracellular calcium and boosts contractility, but when digoxin levels are high, this can cause dangerous arrhythmias and hyperkalemia. The reversal is achieved with digoxin-specific antibody fragments that bind free digoxin in the bloodstream, forming an inactive complex that is cleared from the body. This rapidly lowers the active drug concentration at its site of action, reversing the harmful cardiac effects.

Because this antidote specifically targets digoxin, it is the treatment of choice in life-threatening toxicity or very high digoxin levels. Other options listed are not antidotes to digoxin: calcium gluconate may help stabilize the heart in some toxicity scenarios or address hyperkalemia, but it does not neutralize digoxin; protamine reverses heparin; vitamin K reverses warfarin.