Digoxin: Uses, How It Works, Medicines
Digoxin is a prescription medicine used for heart failure and to control the heart rate in atrial fibrillation. It helps the heart pump more strongly and slows a fast heartbeat. It has a narrow safe range, so too much can be harmful and doctors may order blood tests. It is usually taken long term and must not be stopped suddenly.
Also known as: Digoxin tablet, Digoxin 0.25 mg, Digoxin 250 mcg, Lanoxin, Digitalis
Pharmacist review in progress. This page is based on the sources listed below and is being checked by our registered pharmacist.
How does Digoxin work?
Digoxin blocks a salt pump in heart muscle cells, which raises calcium inside them so the heart squeezes more firmly. It also slows the electrical signal passing through the heart, which slows the heart rate in atrial fibrillation.
How to take Digoxin
Follow the label or your doctor's advice. Your doctor decides the dose, based on age, kidney function and blood tests, and doses are not interchangeable between products without advice.
Side effects of Digoxin
Most people take it without serious problems. Some side effects are common and mild, but a few need medical help.
Uncommon or mild
- Dizziness
- Nausea or vomiting
- Diarrhoea
- Blurred vision or difficulty with bright light
- Skin rash
Rare but serious: get medical help
- Signs of too much digoxin: several of the common side effects at once, loss of appetite, yellow-tinged vision, confusion or an unusual heartbeat. Contact a doctor promptly
- A fast or pounding heartbeat, breathlessness or severe light-headedness. Get emergency help
- Fainting or a very slow heartbeat
- Swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat, or difficulty breathing (a severe allergic reaction). Get medical help immediately
Who should be careful
Some people need to check with a doctor before taking digoxin, or need extra care while taking it.
When the label says not to use it
- Allergy to digoxin or other digitalis medicines
- Ventricular fibrillation
- Taking more than prescribed
- Narrow safe range: older age, low body weight, kidney problems and low potassium or magnesium or high calcium raise the risk of toxicity
- Kidney disease: the body clears digoxin more slowly
- Heart block, a very slow heart rate or Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome: tell your doctor
- Recent heart attack or inflammation of the heart muscle
- Thyroid problems, bowel problems such as Crohn's disease, and lung disease
- Dehydration, vomiting or diarrhoea: can change blood potassium and the level of digoxin
- Pregnancy and breastfeeding: digoxin crosses the placenta; ask your doctor
- Surgery or a planned shock to the heart rhythm: tell the doctor that you take it
Medicines and things that interact with Digoxin
Digoxin can change how other medicines work, and some medicines change its effect. Tell your doctor or pharmacist about everything you take, including herbal products and medicines bought over the counter.
- Amiodarone, verapamil, quinidine, propafenone, clarithromycin and erythromycin: can raise the digoxin level a lot
- Water tablets (diuretics) that lower potassium: toxicity becomes more likely
- Antacids, cholestyramine and sucralfate: can lower absorption; ask about timing
- ACE inhibitors, ARBs and NSAID painkillers: can affect kidney clearance and raise the digoxin level
- St. John's wort and calcium supplements: can change its effect or toxicity
- Other medicines that slow the heartbeat, such as beta blockers and ivabradine
If someone takes too much
Taking too much digoxin is dangerous and can cause vomiting, vision changes, a very slow or irregular heartbeat and collapse. If someone has taken more than prescribed, call 112 or go to the nearest hospital straight away and take the medicine pack with you. Do not drive yourself.
Regulatory status in India
Approved for sale in India as a prescription medicine. Digoxin is not on the CDSCO list of medicines banned under section 26A of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act as a single ingredient. Fixed-dose combinations that contain it with other medicines may be treated differently, so check the ingredient list on the pack.
Type of medicine
Digoxin belongs to this type of medicine.
Medicines that contain Digoxin
These medicines sold in India contain Digoxin. They are listed A to Z, not ranked.
- Lanoxin 0.25 · 0.25 mg tablet
What is Digoxin used for?
Medicines that contain Digoxin are used for these conditions.
Common questions
What is digoxin used for?
It is a prescription medicine used for heart failure and to control the heart rate in atrial fibrillation. It helps manage these conditions and is not a one-time fix. A doctor decides whether it suits you and sets the dose.
Why is digoxin called a narrow therapeutic range medicine?
The gap between an amount that helps and an amount that harms is small. Age, kidney function, potassium and other medicines can change the level in the blood. That is why doctors may check blood tests and why doses must be exact.
What are the signs of too much digoxin?
Nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, dizziness, blurred or yellow vision and an unusual heartbeat. The NHS says more than two common side effects together may mean too much. Contact a doctor promptly; a fast, pounding heartbeat needs emergency help.
What if I miss a dose of digoxin?
The NHS advises skipping the missed dose and taking the next one at the usual time. Never take two doses to make up. If you often forget, ask your pharmacist for reminder tips.
Can I stop digoxin when I feel better?
No. It is usually taken long term, and stopping suddenly can make the condition worse. Speak to your doctor before making any change.
Sources
- Digoxin tablets: prescribing information (Amneal). DailyMed, US National Library of Medicine
- Who can and cannot take digoxin. NHS (UK)
- Side effects of digoxin. NHS (UK)
- How and when to take digoxin. NHS (UK)
- Digoxin. MedlinePlus, US National Library of Medicine
- ATC/DDD Index: C01AA05 Digoxin. WHO Collaborating Centre for Drug Statistics Methodology
- List of drugs prohibited for manufacture and sale through gazette notifications under section 26A of the Drugs & Cosmetics Act 1940. Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO)