Digoxin: function, dosage, side effects, how to use it

What Drug Digoxin?

What is Digoxin for?

Digoxin is a drug to treat heart failure. This drug is also used to treat irregular heartbeats (chronic atrial fibrillation). Treating an irregular heartbeat can lower your risk of blood clots, an effect that can lower your risk of having a heart attack or stroke.

Digoxin is a drug that belongs to the cardiac glycoside group. This drug acts on certain minerals (sodium and potassium) in the heart cells. Digoxin decreases heart tension and helps keep the heart rate normal, regular, and strong. This medicine is usually used in conjunction with other drugs.

Digoxin dosage and side effects of digoxin are detailed below.

How do you use Digoxin?

Take this medication with or without food, usually once daily or as directed by your doctor. If you are taking this medication in liquid form, use a medication measuring device to measure the correct dose as prescribed. Do not use a household spoon as the dosage can be inappropriate.

Your body may not absorb this medicine as well if you also eat foods high in fiber or if you are taking other medications. So, use this medication at least 2 hours before or after eating high-fiber food products (such as bran). If you are also taking cholestyramine, colestipol, or psyllium, wait at least 2 hours after using digoxin. If you are taking an antacid, kaolin-pectin, milk of magnesium, metoclopramide, sulfasalazine, or aminosalicylic acid, take it at a much different time than digoxin. Ask your pharmacist if you are unsure about when to use your medicines.

Digoxin dosage is based on your health condition, age, body weight, laboratory tests, and response to therapy. Use this remedy regularly for maximum benefits. To help you, use it every day at the same time. Do not stop taking your medication suddenly without your doctor knowing. Some conditions can worsen when the medicine is stopped suddenly. tell your doctor if your condition does not improve or if it gets worse.

Follow the rules given by your doctor or pharmacist before starting treatment. If you have any questions, consult your doctor or pharmacist.

How do you store Digoxin?

Digoxin is a drug that is best stored at room temperature, away from direct light and damp places. Don't keep it in the bathroom. Don't freeze it. Other brands of this drug may have different storage rules. Observe the storage instructions on the product package or ask your pharmacist. Keep all medicines away from children and pets.

Do not flush medicines down the toilet or down the drain unless instructed to do so. Discard this product when it has expired or when it is no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company about how to safely dispose of your product.

Digoxin Usage Rules

The information provided is not a substitute for medical advice. ALWAYS consult your doctor or pharmacist before starting treatment.

What is the Digoxin dosage for adults?

For Congestive Heart Failure, the digoxin dosage is:

• Tablet. Initial doses ranging from 500 to 750 mcg usually show an effect within 0.5-2 hours with maximum effect within 2-6 hours. Additional doses of 125-375 mcg can be given at intervals of about 6-8 hours.
• Capsule.Initial doses ranging from 400-600 mcg usually show an effect within 0.5-2 hours with maximum effect within 2-6 hours. Additional doses of 100-300 mcg can be given cautiously at intervals of about 6-8 hours.
• Injection.Initial dose: 400-600 mcg usually shows an effect within 5-30 minutes with maximum effect within 1-4 hours. Additional doses of 100-300 mcg can be given cautiously at 6-8 hour intervals.

For Atrial Fibrillation, the digoxin dosage is:

• Injection. 8-12 mcg / kg
• Tablet. 10-15 mcg / kg
• Drinking fluids. 10-15 mcg / kg

What is the Digoxin dosage for children?

For atrial fibration, the digoxin dosage is:

Do not give a single dose. Give the dose in portions, giving about half the total dose for the initial dose. Give additional fraction of the total dose at intervals of about 6-8 hours (oral) or 4-8 (fluids).

The dosage is calculated based on dry body weight.

• Premature.Oral elixir: 20-30 mcg / kg; Intravenous: 15-25 mcg / kg
  Maintenance dose: oral 5-7.5 mcg / kg; intravenous 4-6 mcg / kg
• Term Babies. Oral elixir: 25-35 mcg / kg; Intravenous: 20-30 mcg / kg
  Maintenance dose: oral 6-10 mcg / kg; intravenous 5-8 mcg / kg
• 1-24 months. Oral elixir: 35-60 mcg / kg; Intravenous: 30-50 mcg / kg
  Maintenance dose: 10-15 mcg / kg orally; intravenous 7.5-12 mcg / kg
• 3-5 years.Oral elixir: 30-40 mcg / kg; Intravenous: 25-35 mcg / kg
  Maintenance dose: oral 7.5-10 mcg / kg; intravenous 6-9 mcg / kg
• 6-10 years.Oral elixir: 20-35 mcg / kg; Intravenous: 15-30 mcg / kg
  Maintenance dose: oral 5-10 mcg / kg; intravenous 4-8 mcg / kg
• ≥11 years.Oral elixir: 10-15 mcg / kg; Intravenous: 8 to 12 mcg / kg. Maintenance dose: oral 2.5-5 mcg / kg; intravenous 2-3 mcg / kg

In what dosage is Digoxin available?

Digoxin dosage availability is

Solution, Injection

• Lanoxin: 0.25 mg / mL (2 mL)
• Pediatric Lanoxin: 0.1 mg / mL (1 mL)
• Generic: 0.25 mg / mL (1 mL, 2 mL)

Solution, Oral

• Generic: 0.05 mg / mL (60 mL)

Tablet, Oral:

• Digox: 0.125 mg
• Digox: 0.25 mg
• Lanoxin: 0.125 mg
• Lanoxin: 0.25 mg
• Generic: 0.125 mg, 0.25 mg

Tablet, Oral:

• Apo-Digoxin: 62.5 mcg, 125 mcg, 250 mcg

Digoxin dosage

What side effects can be experienced due to Digoxin?

Digoxin side effects are:

• Nausea and vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Decreased appetite
• Limp or dizziness
• Headache, anxiety, depression
• Mild skin rash

Not everyone experiences the following side effects. There may be some side effects not listed above. If you have concerns about certain side effects, consult your doctor or pharmacist.

Digoxin side effects

What should be known before using Digoxin?

Some things that must be known before taking digoxin are:

• Tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to digoxin, digitoxin, or any other medications
• Tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription drugs you are taking, especially antacids, antibiotics, calcium, corticosteroids, diuretics (“water pills”), other medications for heart, thyroid disease, and vitamins.
• Tell your doctor if you have or have had thyroid problems, heart arrhythmias, cancer, or kidney disease
• Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding. If you are pregnant and are taking digoxin, contact your doctor
• Talk with your doctor about the risks and benefits of using digoxin if you are ≥ 65 years of age. Seniors should use lower doses of digoxin because higher doses can cause serious side effects
• If you are going to have surgery, such as dental surgery, tell your doctor or dentist that you are taking digoxin
• You should know that this drug can make you drowsy. Do not drive a car or run a motorized vehicle until the effects of the drug wear off
• Note that alcohol can increase the drowsiness caused by this drug

Is Digoxin safe for pregnant and lactating women?

Studies in women have shown that this drug poses minimal risk to the baby if used while breastfeeding.

There are no adequate studies regarding the risks of using this drug in pregnant or breastfeeding women. Always consult your doctor to weigh the potential benefits and risks before using this medication. This drug is included in the risk of pregnancy category C according to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Amarika, or the equivalent of the POM in Indonesia.

The following references the pregnancy risk categories according to the FDA:

• A = Not at risk
• B = No risk in several studies
• C = May be risky
• D = There is positive evidence of risk
• X = Contraindicated
• N = Unknown

Digoxin Drug Warnings and Cautions

What medicines may interact with Digoxin?

Drug interactions can change the performance of your medications or increase the risk of serious side effects. Not all possible drug interactions are listed in this document. Keep a list of all the products you use (including prescription / non-prescription drugs and herbal products) and consult your doctor or pharmacist. Do not start, stop, or change the dose of any medication without your doctor's approval.

Although certain drugs cannot be used together, in other cases 2 different drugs can be used simultaneously although drug interactions may occur. In this case, the doctor can change the dose, or other warnings may be needed. While you are using this medicine it is very important for your doctor to know if you are taking any of the drugs mentioned below. The following interactions were selected based on differences in drug potential and not necessarily all included.

Using this medication with the drugs below is usually not recommended. Your doctor may decide not to treat you with this drug or change some of the drugs you use.

• Amifampridine

Using this drug with other drugs is usually not recommended, but may be needed in some cases. If the two drugs are prescribed together, your doctor may have changed the dose or frequency of use of one or both drugs.

• Alprazolam
• Amiodarone
• Bemetizide
• Cyclopenthiazide
• Benzthiazide
• Boceprevir
• Buthiazide
• Calcium
• Canagliflozin
• Chan Su
• Chlorothiazide
• Chlorthalidone
• Clarithromycin
• Clopamide
• Cobicistat
• Conivaptan
• Crizotinib
• Cyclopenthiazide
• Cyclothiazide
• Daclatasvir
• Demeclocycline
• Diphenoxylate
• Dofetilide
• Dopamine
• Doxycycline
• Dronedarone
• Eliglustat
• Epinephrine
• Erythromycin
• Ezogabine
• Fingolimod
• Hydrochlorothiazide
• Hydroflumethiazide
• Indapamide
• Indomethacin
• Itraconazole
• Kyushin
• Lapatinib
• Ledipasvir
• Lily of the Valley
• Lomitapide
• Methyclothiazide
• Metolazone
• Mifepristone
• Minocycline
• Moricizine
• Nilotinib
• Norepinephrine
• Oleander
• Oxytetracycline
• Pheasant's Eye
• Polythiazide
• Propafenone
• Propantheline
• Quercetin
• Quinethazone
• Quinidine
• Ritonavir
• Saquinavir
• Simeprevir
• Spironolactone
• Squill
• St. John's Wort
• Succinylcholine
• Telaprevir
• Tetracycline
• Tocophersolan
• Trichlormethiazide
• Ulipristal
• Vandetanib
• Verapamil
• Xipamide

Drug interactions can increase your risk of serious side effects, but using both drugs may be the best therapy for you. If the two drugs are prescribed together, your doctor may have changed the dose or frequency of use of one or both drugs.

• Acarbose
• Acebutolol
• Alprenolol
• Aluminum Carbonate, Basic
• Aluminum Hydroxide
• Aluminum Phosphate
• Aminosalicylic Acid
• Arbutamine
• Atenolol
• Atorvastatin
• Azithromycin
• Azosemide
• Bepridil
• Betaxolol
• Bevantolol
• Bisoprolol
• Bucindolol
• Canrenoate
• Captopril
• Carteolol
• Carvedilol
• Cascara Sagrada
• Celiprolol
• Cholestyramine
• Colchicine
• Colestipol
• Cyclosporine
• Darunavir
• Dihydroxyaluminum Aminoacetate
• Dihydroxyaluminum Sodium Carbonate
• Dilevalol
• Diltiazem
• Disopyramide
• Epoprostenol
• Esmolol
• Etravirine
• Exenatide
• Flecainide
• Fluoxetine
• Furosemide
• Gatifloxacin
• Hydroxychloroquine
• Indecainide
• Labetalol
• Lenalidomide
• Lornoxicam
• Magaldrate
• Magnesium Carbonate
• Magnesium Hydroxide
• Magnesium Oxide
• Magnesium Trisilicate
• Mepindolol
• Metipranolol
• Metoclopramide
• Metoprolol
• Mibefradil
• Miglitol
• Mirabegron
• Nadolol
• Nebivolol
• Nefazodone
• Neomycin
• Nilvadipine
• Nisoldipine
• Nitrendipine
• Omeprazole
• Oxprenolol
• Pancuronium
• Paromomycin
• Penbutolol
• Pindolol
• Piretanide
• Posaconazole
• Propranolol
• Quinine
• Rabeprazole
• Ranolazine
• Rifampin
• Rifapentine
• Roxithromycin
• Simvastatin
• Sotalol
• Sucralfate
• Sulfasalazine
• Talinolol
• Telithromycin
• Telmisartan
• Tertatolol
• Ticagrelor
• Timolol
• Torsemide
• Tramadol
• Trazodone
• Trimethoprim
• Valspodar

Can food or alcohol interact with Digoxin?

Certain drugs should not be used with meals or when eating certain foods because drug interactions can occur. Consuming alcohol or tobacco with certain drugs can also cause interactions to occur. Discuss your use of drugs with food, alcohol, or tobacco with your health care provider.

The following interactions were selected based on differences in drug potential and not necessarily all included.

What health conditions may interact with Digoxin?

The presence of other health problems in your body may affect the use of this drug. Tell your doctor if you have other health problems, in particular:

• Arteriovenous shunt
• Hypocalcemia (low blood calcium levels)
• Hypoxia (low levels of oxygen in the blood)
• Thyroid disease
• Electrical cardioversion (medical procedure)
• Heart disease (eg amyloid heart disease, cor pulmonale, heart attack, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, restrictive cardiomyopathy, sick sinus syndrome, Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome)
• Hypercalcemia (high calcium levels in the blood)
• Hypokalemia (low potassium levels in the blood)
• Hypomagnesemia (low magnesium levels in the blood)
• Kidney illness
• Myocarditis
• Ventricular fibrillation (heart rhythm problems)

Digoxin Drug Interactions

What should I do in an emergency or overdose?

In case of an emergency or overdose, contact the local emergency services provider (112) or immediately to the nearest hospital emergency department.

What should I do if I miss a dose?

If you forget a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. However, when it is nearing the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and return to the usual dosing schedule. Don't double the dose.