Digoxin Description

Generic Name : DIGOXIN

Pronunciation : (di jox' in)

Trade Name(s) : Cardioxin, Digitran, Digox, Digoxin INJ, Digoxin PAED, Lanoxin,

Why it is prescribed: Digoxin helps an injured or weakened heart to work efficiently and to send blood through the body. It strengthens the force of the heart muscle's contractions, helps restore a normal steady heart rhythm, improves blood circulation, and helps remove excess water from the tissues. It relieves symptoms of heart failure such as swelling of the lower legs and ankles and shortness of breath.

When it is to be taken: Digoxin usually is taken once a day. Follow the instructions on your prescription label carefully. This medication must be taken on a regular schedule. If you take this drug once a day, take it at the same time that you do something else every day, such as brushing your teeth in the morning or going to bed at night, to help you remember to take it. Do not stop taking digoxin without consulting your doctor. You will probably have to take digoxin for a long time possibly for the rest of your life.

How it should be taken: Digoxin comes in the form of tablets, pediatric elixir (oral liquid), and liquid-filled capsules (Lanoxicaps). Your prescription label tells you how much to take at each dose. The pediatric elixir comes with a specially marked dropper for measuring the dose.

Special Instruction :
1. Take digoxin exactly as your doctor has directed. Do not take more or less at each dose than as instructed.
2. While you are taking digoxin, your doctor may ask you to check your heart rate every day and will tell you how rapid it should be.
3. If your pulse is slower than it should be, contact your doctor to find out whether you should continue taking digoxin.
4. If you develop an illness with vomiting or diarrhea, the amount of digoxin absorbed into your bloodstream and reaching your heart can be affected. If you go to another doctor for such an illness, tell that doctor that you take digoxin.
5. You may wish to carry a card indicating that you take digoxin so that doctors will know this information if an accident makes you unconscious.
6. Keep all appointments with your doctor and the laboratory so that your response to digoxin can be monitored.
7. You may have electrocardiograms and blood tests periodically, and your dose may need to be adjusted.
8. You need to follow special dietary instructions while using this drug. Your doctor may recommend a low-sodium or low-salt diet and a potassium supplement.
9. Ask your doctor for a list of foods that are low in sodium and high in potassium, and emphasize them in a well-balanced diet.
10. Do not take a missed dose when you remember it. Omit that dose; take only your regular dose at the next scheduled time. Do not take a double dose. If you forget to take two or more doses in a row, contact your doctor for instructions.

Side Effects : Loss of appetite, nausea, and vomiting; changes in vision such as flashes or flickering of light, sensitivity to light, seeing things larger or smaller than they are, blurring, color changes; drowsiness, headache, confusion, depression, fatigue, and muscle weakness; irregular heartbeat or changes in pulse or slow heart rate. Contact your doctor immediately.

Other Precautions :
1. Tell your doctor if you have ever taken digoxin or digitoxin and what reaction you had to it.
2. Your general state of health can affect the way digoxin acts on you. Tell your doctor about your health (especially if you are pregnant or breast-feeding or if you are receiving radiation therapy or cancer chemotherapy) and your entire medical history, especially heart, kidney, lung, or thyroid problems.
3. Before you take digoxin, tell your doctor what prescription and nonprescription medications you are taking.
4. Certain drugs can decrease the effect of digoxin or increase it to a potentially dangerous level. Do not take any new drugs without your doctor's permission. If you are taking cholestyramine or colestipol, take it at least two hours after digoxin to prevent interference. If you are taking aminosalicylic acid, antacids, kaolin-pectin, milk of magnesia, or sulfasalazine, take it as far apart as possible from digoxin.
5. Difficulty breathing and swelling in your lower legs and ankles may be signs that your dose is too low. If normal activity causes shortness of breath or if you awaken frequently during the night due to shortness of breath, tell your doctor.
6. Do not change your dose without consulting your doctor. Before having surgery, including dental surgery, tell the doctor that you take digoxin.
7. Do not allow anyone else to take your medication.

Storage Conditions : Keep this medication in the container it came in and out of the reach of children. Store it at room temperature.