What is digoxin (oral)?
Digoxin is derived from the leaves of a digitalis plant. Digoxin helps make the heart beat
stronger and with a more regular rhythm.
Digoxin is used to treat congestive heart failure.
Digoxin is also used to treat atrial fibrillation, a heart rhythm disorder of the atria (the
upper chambers of the heart that allow blood to flow into the heart).
Digoxin may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking digoxin (oral)?
You should not use this medication if you are allergic to digoxin, or if you have
ventricular fibrillation (a heart rhythm disorder of the ventricles, or lower chambers of the heart
that allow blood to flow out of the heart).
If you have certain conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely
use this medication. Before using digoxin, tell your doctor if you have:
-
certain heart conditions, especially "AV block" (unless you have a
pacemaker);
-
a recent history of heart attack;
-
kidney disease;
-
a thyroid disorder;
-
an electrolyte imbalance (such as low levels of calcium,
potassium, or magnesium in your blood); or
-
if you are malnourished or have recently been sick with
vomiting or diarrhea.
FDA pregnancy category C. Digoxin may be harmful to an
unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment.
Digoxin can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Do not use this
medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
Older adults may be more likely to have side effects from digoxin.
How should I take digoxin (oral)?
Take this medication exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Do not take it in larger
amounts or for longer than recommended. Follow the directions on your prescription label.
Take digoxin with a full glass of water.
Try to take the medication at the same time every day.
Measure liquid medicine with a special dose-measuring spoon or cup, not a regular table
spoon. If you do not have a dose-measuring device, ask your pharmacist for one.
To be sure this medication is not causing harmful effects, your blood may need to be
tested on a regular basis. Your kidney function may also need to be tested. Do not miss any
scheduled appointments.
Keep taking digoxin as directed, even if you feel well. Get your prescription refilled
before you run out of medicine completely.
Do not stop taking digoxin without first talking to your doctor. Stopping suddenly
may make your condition worse.
Store this medication at room temperature away from moisture and heat.
What happens if I miss a dose of digoxin (oral)?
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If your next dose is less than 12 hours
away, wait until then to take the medicine and skip the missed dose.
Do not
take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.
Where can I get more information about digoxin (oral)?
Your pharmacist has information about digoxin (oral) written for health professionals that you may read.
What are the possible side effects of digoxin (oral)?
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these
signs of an allergic
reaction:
hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Call your doctor at once if you have a serious side effect such as:
-
fast, slow, or uneven heart rate;
-
bloody or black, tarry stools;
-
blurred vision, yellowed vision; or
-
confusion, hallucinations, unusual thoughts or behavior.
Less serious side effects may include:
-
mild nausea, vomiting, diarrhea;
-
feeling weak or dizzy;
-
headache;
-
enlarged breasts in men; or
-
mild skin rash.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Tell
your doctor about any unusual or bothersome side effect. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
What is the most important information I should know about digoxin (oral)?
You should not use this medication if you are allergic to digoxin, or if you have
ventricular fibrillation (a heart rhythm disorder of the ventricles, or lower chambers of the heart
that allow blood to flow out of the heart).
Before using digoxin, tell your doctor if you have certain heart conditions, especially "AV
block" (unless you have a pacemaker), or a recent history of heart attack. Also tell your doctor if
you have kidney disease, a thyroid disorder, an electrolyte imbalance (such as low levels of
calcium, potassium, or magnesium in your blood), or if you are malnourished or have recently
been sick with vomiting or diarrhea.
Keep taking digoxin as directed, even if you feel well. Get your prescription refilled
before you run out of medicine completely.
Do not stop taking digoxin without first talking to your doctor. Stopping suddenly
may make your condition worse.
Avoid becoming overheated or dehydrated during exercise, in hot weather, or by not
drinking enough fluids. Digoxin overdose can occur more easily if you are dehydrated.
There are many other medicines that can interact with digoxin.
Tell
your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes
vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a
new medication without telling your doctor. Keep a list with you of all the medicines you use
and show this list to any doctor or other healthcare provider who treats you.
What should I avoid while taking digoxin (oral)?
Avoid becoming overheated or dehydrated during exercise, in hot weather, or by not
drinking enough fluids. Digoxin overdose can occur more easily if you are dehydrated.
What other drugs will affect digoxin (oral)?
Many drugs can interact with digoxin. Below is just a partial list. Tell your doctor if you
are using:
-
an antacid, or Kaopectate;
-
alprazolam (Xanax);
-
cancer medications;
-
clonidine (Catapres);
-
supplements or medications that contain calcium;
-
a diuretic (water pill), such as spironolactone (Aldactone,
Aldactazide);
-
amphotericin B (Fungizone, AmBisome, Abelcet);
-
cholestyramine (Questran, Prevalite);
-
epinephrine (EpiPen);
-
guanabenz (Wytensin) or guanfacine (Tenex);
-
indomethacin (Indocin);
-
isoproterenol (Isuprel);
-
itraconazole (Sporanox);
-
levothyroxine (Synthroid, Levothroid, and others);
-
methyldopa (Aldomet);
-
metoclopramide (Reglan);
-
neomycin (Mycifradin, Neo-Fradin, Neo-Tab);
-
rifampin (Rifadin, Rifater, Rifamate);
-
sulfasalazine (Azulfidine); or
-
an antibiotic such as erythromycin (E.E.S., EryPed,
Ery-Tab, Erythrocin), clarithromycin (Biaxin), or tetracycline (Brodspec, Panmycin, Sumycin,
Tetracap);
-
a beta-blocker such as carvedilol (Coreg), metoprolol
(Lopressor, Toprol), and others;
-
a calcium channel blocker such as amlodipine (Norvasc),
diltiazem (Tiazac, Cartia, Cardizem), felodipine (Plendil), nisoldipine (Sular), verapamil (Calan,
Covera, Isoptin, Verelan), and others;
-
decongestant cold or allergy medicine, or nasal sprays such
as Afrin, Duramist, Neo-Synephrine, Tysine Nasal, and others;
-
a heart rhythm medication such as amiodarone
(Cordarone, Pacerone), propafenone (Rythmol), or quinidine (Quinaglute, Quinidex,
Quin-Release); or
-
steroids such as prednisone, fluticasone (Advair),
mometasone (Asmanex, Nasonex), dexamethasone (Decadron, Hexadrol) and others.
This list is not complete and there are many other medicines that can
interact with digoxin. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter
medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by
other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor. Keep a list with
you of all the medicines you use and show this list to any doctor or other healthcare provider who
treats you.
What happens if I have an overdose of digoxin (oral)?
