GENERIC NAME: digoxin
BRAND NAME: Lanoxin
DRUG CLASS AND MECHANISM: Digoxin is extracted from the
leaves
of a plant called digitalis lanata. Digoxin increases the
strength and
vigor of the heart muscle contractions, and is useful in the
treatment of
heart failure. Digoxin also slows the electrical conduction
between the
atria and the ventricles of the heart, and is useful in treating
abnormally rapid atrial rhythms such as atrial fibrillation,
atrial
flutter, and atrial tachycardia.
Abnormally rapid atrial rhythms can be caused by
heart attacks,
excessive thyroid hormones,
alcoholism, infections, and many
other
conditions. During rapid atrial rhythms, electrical signals
from the atria
cause rapid contractions of the ventricles. Rapid ventricle
contractions
are inefficient in delivering oxygen and nutrients to the body,
causing
symptoms of weakness, shortness of breath, dizziness, and even
chest pain.
Digoxin alleviates these symptoms by blocking the electrical
conduction
between the atria and ventricles, thus slowing ventricle
contractions.
PRESCRIPTION: yes
GENERIC AVAILABLE: yes
PREPARATIONS: tablets (0.125mg, 0.25mg, 0.5mg), capsules
(0.05mg, 0.1mg, 0.2mg)
STORAGE: Should be stored in dry, light-resistant, tight
container.
PRESCRIBED FOR: Digoxin is used to treat
congestive
heart
failure and the associated symptoms of shortness of breath when
lying
flat, wheezing, and ankle swelling. Digoxin is also used to
slow heart
rate in rapid atrial rhythm disturbances such as atrial
fibrillation and
atrial flutter.
DOSING: Digoxin may be taken with or without food.
Digoxin is
mainly excreted by the kidneys, and dosages need to be reduced
in patients
with kidney dysfunction. Digoxin blood levels can be used to
monitor
dosing and to avoid drug toxicity.
DRUG INTERACTIONS: There is little cushion between a
therapeutically beneficial level of digoxin and a toxic level
of digoxin.
Digoxin toxicity is common, especially in patients with kidney
dysfunction. Digoxin toxicity can cause potentially life-
threatening heart
rhythm disturbances, ranging from very slow to rapid
ventricular rhythms.
In patients with existing disease of the electrical conduction
of the
heart, digoxin can precipitate heart block and a seriously slow
heart
rate.
Patients with low blood potassium levels can develop digoxin
toxicity
even when digoxin levels are not considered elevated.
Similarly, high
calcium and low magnesium blood levels can increase digoxin
toxicity and
produce serious heart rhythm disturbances. Drugs such as
quinidine (Quinaglute,
Quinidex),
verapamil (Calan), and amiodarone (Cordarone) can increase
digoxin levels
and the risk of toxicity. The co-administration of digoxin and
beta
blockers, such as
propranolol (Inderal Inderal LA), or calcium channel blockers, such as Calan, can
cause serious slowing of the heart rate.
When digoxin is taken by patients receiving
saquinavir (Fortovase,
Invirase) with ritonavir (Norvir), the
amount of digoxin in the body can increase by 50%, possibly leading to side
effects such as potentially fatal rhythm disturbances,
nausea,
vomiting, and
diarrhea, blurred or yellow vision; headache; weakness; dizziness; apathy;
confusion; and mental disturbances such as anxiety, depression, delirium, and
hallucinations.
SIDE EFFECTS: The most common side effects are related
to
digoxin toxicity and heart rhythm disturbances. Other side
effects include
abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting,
loss of appetite, breast enlargement, skin rash, blurred vision, and mental changes.
Last Editorial Review: 11/14/2007
Report Problems to the Food and Drug Administration
You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit the FDA MedWatch website or call 1-800-FDA-1088.
 |
 |
From the Doctors at MedicineNet.com  |
|
|
- Congestive Heart Failure - Read about congestive heart failure symptoms like fatigue, abdomen, leg and ankle swelling, shortness of breath, sleeplessness, increased urination, nausea, abdominal pain, and decreased appetite. Source:MedicineNet
- Atrial Fibrillation - Learn about atrial fibrillation including what it is, what happens during atrial fibrillation, symptoms, risk factors, how it is diagnosed, and how it is treated Source:MedicineNet
- Read 22 more digoxin related articles ...
|
| |
|
Back to Medications Index
Specialty RSS
