U.S. Brand Names

Lanoxin®

Canadian Brand Names

Apo-Digoxin®; Digoxin CSD; Lanoxin®; Pediatric Digoxin CSD; PMS-Digoxin; Toloxin®

Mexican Brand Names

Lanoxin; Mapluxin; Vidaxil

Pharmacologic Category

Antiarrhythmic Agent, Miscellaneous; Cardiac Glycoside

Reasons not to take this medicine

• If you have an allergy to digoxin or any other part of this medicine.

• Tell healthcare provider if you are allergic to any medicine. Make sure to tell about the allergy and how it affected you. This includes telling about rash; hives; itching; shortness of breath; wheezing; cough; swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat; or any other symptoms involved.

• If you have any of the following conditions: Amyloid disease, constrictive pericarditis, idiopathic hypertropic subaortic stenosis, poor electrical activity in the heart without a working pacemaker, or Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome.

What is this medicine used for?

• This medicine is used to improve a weakened heart.

• This medicine is used to treat a fast heartbeat.

How does it work?

• Digoxin strengthens the heart by increasing calcium inside the cells of the heart. The heart can pump stronger and more effectively. It slows certain fast heartbeats.

How is it best taken?

• Take this medicine at a similar time of day.

• Take this medicine with or without food. Take with food if it causes an upset stomach.

• Swallow capsule whole. Do not chew, break, or crush.

• A liquid (elixir) is available if you cannot swallow pills.

• Those who have feeding tubes can also use the liquid. Flush the feeding tube before and after medicine is given.

• Follow diet plan and exercise program as recommended by healthcare provider.

Injection:

• This medicine is given as a shot into a muscle or vein.

What do I do if I miss a dose? (does not apply to patients in the hospital)

• Take a missed dose as soon as possible.

• If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and return to your regular schedule.

• Do not take a double dose or extra doses.

• Do not change dose or stop medicine. Talk with healthcare provider.

What are the precautions when taking this medicine?

• Wear disease medical alert identification.

• If you are 65 or older, use this medicine with caution. You could have more side effects.

• If you have kidney disease, talk with healthcare provider.

• Check medicines with healthcare provider. This medicine may not mix well with other medicines.

• Do not take cholestyramine, colestipol, dietary bran fiber, or kaolin-pectin within 2 hours of this medicine.

• Tell healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan on getting pregnant.

• Tell healthcare provider if you are breast-feeding.

What are some possible side effects of this medicine?

• Feeling dizzy. Rise slowly over several minutes from sitting or lying position. Be careful climbing.

• Belly pain.

• Nausea or vomiting. Small frequent meals, frequent mouth care, sucking hard, sugar-free candy, or chewing sugar-free gum may help.

• Diarrhea.

• A faster, harmful heartbeat can rarely occur.

• A slower, harmful heartbeat can rarely occur.

What should I monitor?

• Change in condition being treated. Is it better, worse, or about the same?

• Check blood pressure and heart rate regularly. Talk with healthcare provider.

• Check blood work (digoxin levels). Have blood drawn before daily dose (take digoxin after blood drawn). Talk with healthcare provider.

• Check blood work (potassium). Talk with healthcare provider.

Reasons to call healthcare provider immediately

• If you suspect an overdose, call your local poison control center or emergency department immediately.

• Signs of a life-threatening reaction. These include wheezing; chest tightness; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; fits; or swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat.

• Severe dizziness or passing out.

• Significant change in thinking clearly and logically.

• Severe nausea or vomiting.

• Severe diarrhea.

• Significant weight gain.

• Sudden change in vision or ability to see color. Objects may have yellow/green halos around them.

• Not able to eat.

• Feeling extremely tired or weak.

• Any rash.

• No improvement in condition or feeling worse.

How should I store this medicine?

• Store at room temperature.

• Protect from light.

• Protect capsules and tablets from moisture. Do not store in a bathroom or kitchen.

• The injection will be given to you in a healthcare setting. You will not store it at home.

General statements

• If you have a life-threatening allergy, wear allergy identification at all times.

• Do not share your medicine with others and do not take anyone else's medicine.

• Keep all medicine out of the reach of children and pets.

• Most medicines can be thrown away in household trash after mixing with coffee grounds or kitty litter and sealing in a plastic bag.

• Keep a list of all your medicines (prescription, natural products, supplements, vitamins, over-the-counter) with you. Give this list to healthcare provider (doctor, nurse, nurse practitioner, pharmacist, physician assistant).

• Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or in Canada to Health Canada's Canada Vigilance Program at 1-866-234-2345.

• Talk with healthcare provider before starting any new medicine, including over-the-counter, natural products, or vitamins.

Created: 2006-10-13 11:59:49.0

Modified: 2010-06-30 07:34:18.0

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