Overview: Digoxin is used for certain heart problems. It helps increase the force of your heartbeat and lower your heart rate. Common side effects can include loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pain or intestine problems. Serious side effects are less common but may include heart rate or rhythm changes or digoxin toxicity. Tell your health care provider right away if you have dizziness, confusion, lightheadedness, or diarrhea that will not go away. Digoxin can affect your alertness or coordination. You should not drive or do other activities that require alertness or coordination until you know how it affects you.
Uses
What is digoxin used for?
Digoxin is commonly used for the following conditions.
- Heart Failure.Heart failure is a condition that results in the heart not pumping as well as it should. Digoxin is used along with other medicines to treat heart failure. Digoxin helps to strengthen your heart’s contraction and improves the blood flow in your body.
- Chronic Atrial Fibrillation. Atrial fibrillation is a condition that results when the top part of your heart (called the atria) and the bottom part of the heart (called the ventricles) are not working together, which can lead to your heart not beating in rhythm. Digoxin is used along with other medicines to treat atrial fibrillation. Digoxin helps to control your heart rate.
Digoxin may also be used for other conditions as determined by your health care provider.
How does digoxin work (mechanism of action)?
Digoxin inhibits the “sodium pump,” also called the sodium-potassium ATPase pump, in your heart. This helps to increase the force of your heartbeat and lower your heart rate.
How is digoxin supplied (dosage forms)?
Brands and other names
- Lanoxin
Dosage forms and strengths
- 62.5 mcg (.0625 mg) oral tablets
- 125 mcg (0.125 mg) oral tablets
- 250 mcg (0.25 mg) oral tablets
- 50 mcg (0.05 mg)/mL oral solution
Digoxin is also available in injectable forms.
How should I store digoxin?
Digoxin should be stored at room temperature, between 68 F and 77 F (20 C and 25 C). It can be exposed to temperatures between 59 F and 86 F (15 C and 30 C), for shorter periods of time, such as when transporting it. Store in a cool, dry place. Store in a place that is not exposed to direct sunlight.
Side Effects
What are the most common side effects of digoxin?
The most common side effects of digoxin are listed below. Tell your health care provider if you have any of these side effects that bother you.
- Heart problems, including changes in heart rate or rhythm (see below)
- Loss of appetite
- Nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea
- Stomach pain or intestine problems
- Blurry vision or yellow/green vision
- Headache
- Weakness
- Dizziness
- Confusion
- Anxiety, depression, or hallucinations
- Enlarged breasts in men
- Rash
There may be other side effects of digoxin that are not listed here. Contact your health care provider if you think you are having a side effect of a medicine. In the U.S., you can report side effects to the FDA at www.fda.gov/medwatch or by calling 800-FDA-1088 (800-332-1088). In Canada, you can report side effects to Health Canada at www.health.gc.ca/medeffect or by calling 866-234-2345.
What are the serious side effects of digoxin?
While less common, the most serious side effects of digoxin are described below, along with what to do if they happen.
Severe Allergic Reactions. Digoxin can cause allergic reactions, which can be serious. Stop taking digoxin and get help right away if you have any of the following symptoms of a serious allergic reaction.
- Breathing problems or wheezing
- Racing heart
- Fever or general ill feeling
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue, or throat
- Trouble swallowing or throat tightness
- Itching or skin rash
- Bumps on the skin called hives that can be red, pink, white, or brown depending on your skin tone
- Nausea or vomiting
- Dizziness, feeling lightheaded, or fainting
- Stomach cramps
- Joint pain
Heart Rate or Rhythm Changes. Digoxin may make your heart beat slower than normal (bradycardia). It may also cause heart rhythm problems that can lead to an irregular heartbeat and fainting. In rare cases, this may cause the heart to suddenly stop beating (cardiac arrest). Some people have a higher risk of this, including people with existing heart disease or who take other medicines that affect the heart. Tell your health care provider right away if you experience any of the following signs of heart rate or rhythm changes.
- Chest pain
- Shortness of breath
- Feeling dizzy, lightheaded, or fainting
- Changes in your heart rate or rhythm, such as fast, slow, pounding or skipping heartbeat
- Confusion
- Feeling weak or easily tired
Digoxin Toxicity. Having too much digoxin in your body may cause digoxin toxicity. Stop taking digoxin and call your health care provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms of digoxin toxicity. If you are having these symptoms, your health care provider may run additional medical tests on you.
- Loss of appetite
- Nausea or vomiting
- Persistent diarrhea
- Confusion
- Weakness
- Changes in vision
- Abnormal heart rhythm (also called arrhythmia)
- Fast or slow heartbeat
Warnings & Precautions
Who should not use digoxin?
Allergies to Ingredients. People who are allergic to any of the following should not take digoxin.
- Digitalis
- Digoxin
- Lanoxin
- Any of the ingredients in the specific product dispensed
Your pharmacist can tell you all of the ingredients in the specific digoxin products they stock.
Irregular Heart Rhythm. Digoxin should not be used if you have a type of abnormal heart rhythm called ventricular fibrillation.
What should I know about digoxin before using it?
Do not take digoxin unless it has been prescribed to you by a health care provider. Take it as prescribed.
Do not share digoxin with other people, even if they have the same condition as you. It may harm them.
Keep digoxin out of the reach of children.
Digoxin can affect your alertness or coordination. Do not drive or do other activities that require alertness or coordination until you know how digoxin affects you.
Digoxin may affect your blood pressure and heart rate. Talk to your health care provider about how to monitor your symptoms.
If you are prescribed digoxin oral solution, use the oral syringe that comes in the package to measure your dose. Ask your pharmacist if you are unsure how to measure your dose.
What should I tell my health care provider before using digoxin?
Tell your health care provider about all of your health conditions and any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. This will help them know if digoxin is right for you.
In particular, make sure that you discuss any of the following.
Current and Past Health Conditions. Tell your health care provider if you have any of the following.
- Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome
- A condition called sinus node disease or sick sinus syndrome, a type of heart rhythm disorder
- Atrioventricular (AV) block
- Kidney problems
- A heart condition called myocarditis, which is inflammation of the heart muscle
- A type of heart failure called heart failure with preserved left ventricular ejection fraction, which happens when your heart muscle thickens, causing your heart to hold less than the usual amount of blood
- Thyroid problems
- Chronic diarrhea
Electrolyte Imbalances. Tell your health care provider if you have a history of electrolyte imbalances, including any of the following.
- Low potassium levels (also called hypokalemia)
- Low magnesium levels (also called hypomagnesemia)
- Low calcium levels (also called hypocalcemia)
- High calcium levels (also called hypercalcemia)
Medical Procedures. Tell your health care provider that you are taking digoxin if you are undergoing a medical procedure called electrical cardioversion.
Other Medicines and Supplements. Digoxin may interact with other medicines and supplements. Before taking digoxin, tell your health care provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. See the Interactions section below for more details.
Pregnancy. It is not known if or how digoxin could affect pregnancy or harm a fetus. Tell your health care provider if you are or plan to become pregnant. Your health care provider will let you know if you should take digoxin while you are pregnant or trying to get pregnant.
Breastfeeding. Digoxin passes into breast milk. Tell your health care provider if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. Your health care provider will let you know if you should take digoxin while breastfeeding.
Interactions
Does digoxin interact with foods or drinks?
The absorption of oral digoxin may be lower if you take it with meals high in bran fiber.
It is unknown if drinking alcohol will affect digoxin. The risk of dizziness, blurred vision, and confusion may be increased if you drink alcohol while taking digoxin.
Does digoxin interact with other medicines (drug interactions)?
Digoxin may interact with many other medicines. Always tell your health care provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you take or have recently taken.
In particular, make sure that you discuss if you are using any of the following before taking digoxin.
- A medicine used to control your heart rate or rhythm (antiarrhythmic), such as dofetilide (Tikosyn) or sotalol (Betapace, Sorine, others)
- A beta-blocker, such as atenolol (Tenormin), metoprolol (Lopressor, Toprol XL, and others), or propranolol (Inderal LA, Innopran XL), which is a medicine that may be used for certain heart conditions or to lower blood pressure
- A calcium channel blocker, such as diltiazem (Cardizem CD and others) or verapamil (Verelan, Verelan PM), which is a medicine used for high blood pressure or other conditions
This may not be a complete list of medicines that can interact with digoxin. Always check with your health care provider.
Overdose/Missed Dose
What should I do if I accidentally use too much digoxin?
If you or someone else has used too much digoxin, stop taking digoxin and get medical help right away, call 911, or contact a Poison Control center at 800-222-1222.
What should I do if I miss a dose of digoxin?
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and only take the next dose. Do not take double or extra doses.
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