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ARTICLE |

Digoxinlike Toxicity and Death From a Purported Aphrodisiac FREE

Claus A. Pierach, MD
JAMA. 1996;275(13):988-988. doi:10.1001/jama.1996.03530370026023
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To the Editor.  —While I read the recent case reports from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)1 with interest, I question several of their statements. The serum digoxin levels reported by the authors are between 1.12 and 5.0 nmol/L (0.9 and 3.9 ng/mL), and although these levels may be toxic, I doubt that they should be linked to the patients' illnesses or death. A more appropriate interpretation would be to call these cases unexplained, where bufadienolides may have played a major role. Since the bufadienolides not only are found in toads (Bufonidae) but may also be derived from plants,2 one would have liked to obtain more details about the composition of this purported aphrodisiac (eg, if there were plant fibers in the incriminated material). The recommendation of "empiric administration of large quantities of Digibind (10 vials) to symptomatic patients who may have ingested such products" needs

REFERENCES

Brubacher J, Hoffman RS, Bania T, et al.  Deaths associated with a purported aphrodisiac—New York City, February 1993-May 1995. JAMA . 1995;;274:1828-1829.
MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep . 1995;;44:853-855,861.
Scholtysik G, Wagner H, Fischer M, Ruegg U.  Cardiac glycoside-like effects of a bufadienolide extracted from Kalanchoe daigremontiana.  In: Erdmann E, Greeff K, Skou JC, eds. Cardiac Glycosides 1785-1985: Biochemistry—Pharmacology— Clinical Relevance . New York, NY: Springer—Verlag New York Inc; 1986;:171-179.

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Brubacher J, Hoffman RS, Bania T, et al.  Deaths associated with a purported aphrodisiac—New York City, February 1993-May 1995. JAMA . 1995;;274:1828-1829.
MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep . 1995;;44:853-855,861.
Scholtysik G, Wagner H, Fischer M, Ruegg U.  Cardiac glycoside-like effects of a bufadienolide extracted from Kalanchoe daigremontiana.  In: Erdmann E, Greeff K, Skou JC, eds. Cardiac Glycosides 1785-1985: Biochemistry—Pharmacology— Clinical Relevance . New York, NY: Springer—Verlag New York Inc; 1986;:171-179.
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