Foxglove poisoning - Overview

Alternative Names

Willow-leaved foxglove poisoning; Revebjelle poisoning

Definition of Foxglove poisoning:

Foxglove poisoning usually occurs from sucking the flowers or eating the seeds, stems, or leaves of the foxglove plant.

Poisoning may also occur from taking more than the recommended amounts of medicines made from foxglove.

This is for information only and not for use in the treatment or management of an actual poison exposure. If you have an exposure, you should call your local emergency number (such as 911) or the National Poison Control Center at 1-800-222-1222.

Poisonous Ingredient:

Deslanoside
Digitoxin
Digitalis glycoside

Where Found:

Flowers, leaves, stems, and seeds of the foxglove plant
Heart medicine (digitalis glycoside)

Foxglove (Digitalis purpurea)

Reviewed last on: 10/13/2009
Jacob L. Heller, MD, MHA, Emergency Medicine, Virginia Mason Medical Center, Seattle, Washington. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

References

Graeme K. Toxic plant ingestions. In: Auerbach PS, ed. Wilderness Medicine. 5th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Mosby Elsevier; 2007:chap 58.

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