What is the specific treatment for cardiac glycoside (digoxin) overdose?

The specific treatment for cardiac glycoside overdose is Digibind, also known as Digoxin Immune Fab. This treatment involves the administration of a specific antibody that binds to digoxin in the bloodstream, effectively neutralizing its effects. Digibind works by forming a complex with digoxin that prevents it from interacting with cardiac tissues, which alleviates the toxicity associated with overdose. It is particularly effective in cases of severe digoxin toxicity, manifested by symptoms such as life-threatening arrhythmias, profound bradycardia, or other significant clinical manifestations.

In contrast, activated charcoal may be used in some cases of poisoning to limit absorption if the overdose is recent, but it is not specific to digoxin and doesn't directly reverse its effects. Naloxone is an opioid antagonist and is not relevant to glycoside toxicity, while flumazenil is a benzodiazepine antagonist, similarly unrelated to digoxin. Thus, Digibind remains the definitive and targeted treatment for digoxin toxicity, reflecting its clinical importance in critical care settings when managing overdose situations.