Pronunciation: di-JOX-in
Generic Name: Digoxin
Brand Name: Lanoxin
Digoxin is used for:
Treating heart failure or slowing the heart rate in patients with chronic atrial fibrillation, a type of abnormal heart rhythm. It may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor.
Digoxin is a digitalis glycoside. It works by increasing the force of contraction of the heart and slowing heart rate.
Do NOT use Digoxin if:
- you are allergic to any ingredient in Digoxin or other digitalis medicines
- you have certain types of heart rhythm problems, such as ventricular fibrillation
Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.
Before using Digoxin:
Some medical conditions may interact with Digoxin. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:
- if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding
- if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement
- if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances
- if you have severe heart failure or other heart problems (eg, inflammation, heart block, cor pulmonale, cardiomyopathy, amyloid heart disease ), extra heart beats (premature ventricular contractions [PVCs]), other types of abnormal heart rhythm, heart problems due to low thiamine (eg, beriberi heart disease), Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome, heart blood vessel problems, or fainting due to a heart problem
- if you have severe kidney, liver, or lung problems, or a thyroid problem
- if you have low blood levels of calcium, magnesium, or potassium, or high blood levels of potassium or calcium
- if you have had a recent heart attack
Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Digoxin. Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:
- Alprazolam, amiodarone, amphotericin B, anticholinergics (eg, propantheline), beta-blockers (eg, propranolol, carvedilol), bupivacaine, calcium, cyclosporine, diltiazem, diphenoxylate, diuretics (eg, hydrochlorothiazide, furosemide), indomethacin, itraconazole, macrolides (eg, erythromycin), propafenone, quinidine, quinine, spironolactone, stimulants (eg, amphetamine), succinylcholine, sympathomimetics (eg, albuterol, pseudoephedrine), tetracyclines (eg, doxycycline), thioamines (eg, methimazole), or verapamil because they may increase the risk of Digoxin's side effects, especially on the heart
- Acarbose, penicillamine, rifampin, or thyroid hormones (eg, levothyroxine) because they may decrease Digoxin's effectiveness
- Oral aminoglycosides (eg, neomycin) because the actions and side effects of Digoxin may be increased or decreased
- Spironolactone because it may interfere with certain lab tests for digoxin blood levels and give false readings
This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Digoxin may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.
How to use Digoxin:
Use Digoxin as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.
- Digoxin is usually given as an injection at your doctor's office, hospital, or clinic. If you will be using Digoxin at home, a health care provider will teach you how to use it. Be sure you understand how to use Digoxin. Follow the procedures you are taught when you use a dose. Contact your health care provider if you have any questions.
- Do not use Digoxin if it contains particles, is cloudy or discolored, or if the vial is cracked or damaged.
- Keep this product, as well as syringes and needles, out of the reach of children and pets. Do not reuse needles, syringes, or other materials. Ask your health care provider how to dispose of these materials after use. Follow all local rules for disposal.
- If you miss a dose of Digoxin, take it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once.
Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Digoxin.
Important safety information:
- Digoxin may cause dizziness or blurred vision. These effects may be worse if you take it with alcohol or certain medicines. Use Digoxin with caution. Do not drive or perform other possibly unsafe tasks until you know how you react to it.
- Tell your doctor or dentist that you take Digoxin before you receive any medical or dental care, emergency care, or surgery.
- Digoxin may interfere with certain lab tests, including an electrocardiogram (ECG). Be sure your doctor and lab personnel know you are using Digoxin.
- Lab tests, including ECG, electrolytes, kidney function, and blood digoxin levels, may be performed while you use Digoxin. These tests may be used to monitor your condition or check for side effects. Be sure to keep all doctor and lab appointments.
- Use Digoxin with caution in the ELDERLY; they may be more sensitive to its effects.
- Use Digoxin with extreme caution in NEWBORN INFANTS, especially those who are premature or immature; they may be more sensitive to its effects.
- Poisoning may occur in children who accidently swallow Digoxin or receive too much medicine. In case of an overdose, call a doctor or poison control center right away.
- PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: If you become pregnant, contact your doctor. You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of using Digoxin while you are pregnant. Digoxin is found in breast milk. If you are or will be breast-feeding while you use Digoxin, check with your doctor. Discuss any possible risks to your baby.
Possible side effects of Digoxin:
All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:
Diarrhea; nausea.
Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur:
Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); blurred vision, yellow vision, or other vision changes; confusion; fast, slow, or irregular heartbeat; hallucinations; mood or mental changes (eg, depression); severe or persistent nausea, vomiting, or stomach pain; unusual bruising or bleeding; unusual tiredness or weakness.
This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your health care provider. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. To report side effects to the appropriate agency, please read the Guide to Reporting Problems to FDA.
If OVERDOSE is suspected:
Contact 1-800-222-1222 (the American Association of Poison Control Centers), your local poison control center, or emergency room immediately. Symptoms may include very fast, very slow, or irregular heartbeat.
Proper storage of Digoxin:
Store Digoxin at 77 degrees F (25 degrees C). Brief storage at temperatures between 59 and 86 degrees F (15 and 30 degrees C) is permitted. Store away from heat, moisture, and light. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep Digoxin out of the reach of children and away from pets.
General information:
- If you have any questions about Digoxin, please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
- Digoxin is to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people.
- If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor.
- Check with your pharmacist about how to dispose of unused medicine.
This information is a summary only. It does not contain all information about Digoxin. If you have questions about the medicine you are taking or would like more information, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
More Digoxin resources
- Digoxin Use in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
- Drug Images
- Digoxin Drug Interactions
- Digoxin Support Group
- 6 Reviews for Digoxin - Add your own review/rating
- Digoxin Professional Patient Advice (Wolters Kluwer)
- Digoxin Monograph (AHFS DI)
- digoxin Advanced Consumer (Micromedex) - Includes Dosage Information
- Lanoxicaps Prescribing Information (FDA)
- Lanoxin Prescribing Information (FDA)
- Lanoxin Consumer Overview
Compare Digoxin with other medications
- Atrial Fibrillation
- Heart Failure
