Digoxin

What is digoxin?

Digoxin is a medicine used to improve a weakened heart. It is used to treat heart failure and some forms of irregular heartbeat.

How does digoxin work?

Digoxin is commonly used to treat heart failure. Heart failure happens when the heart muscle cannot squeeze well enough to pump enough blood to meet the body's needs. Digoxin makes each heart muscle cell contract (squeeze) more strongly. The result is better pumping of the blood and increased blood flow.

Digoxin can also slow electrical signals that control the heart rate. Some people have a very fast heart rate that puts stress on the heart muscle. As digoxin slows the heart rate, the heart is able to pump more normally.

When and how is digoxin used?

Digoxin is used to treat heart failure and to control the rate or rhythm of some forms of irregular heartbeat, such as atrial fibrillation.

Digoxin is usually taken as a tablet or capsule. A liquid form of the medicine is available if you cannot swallow the tablets or capsules. If you are taking the liquid form of the medicine, the dose must be measured carefully by using the measuring device that comes with the medicine. If none is available, you must get an appropriate measuring device, such as an oral syringe, from your pharmacist.

Take this medicine regularly and exactly as your healthcare provider prescribes, even if you feel better. Do not take more or less than prescribed. Do not stop taking this medicine without your healthcare provider's approval.

Digoxin may also be given as an injection by your healthcare provider in the hospital or clinic.

What should I watch out for?

Digoxin rarely causes side effects when taken properly. However, the amount of this medicine needed to help most people is very close to the amount that could cause serious problems from overdose. You need to have blood tests regularly to check how much of the medicine is in your blood or to see how this medicine affects you. If needed, the dosage may be changed. Keep all appointments for these tests.

You will need to check your pulse rate regularly. Make sure you understand how to check your pulse. Your healthcare provider will tell you how fast your pulse should be. Usually, your pulse should be between 60 and 100 beats per minute. If your pulse is too high or too low, call your provider right away. You may also need to check your blood pressure and weight regularly.

If you need emergency care, surgery, or dental work, tell the healthcare provider or dentist you are taking this medicine.

Other medicines can interact with digoxin. Always tell your provider about every medicine you are taking.

When should I call my healthcare provider?

Tell your provider right away if:

• Your heart rate gets very slow.
• You feel frequent extra heartbeats.
• You have a queasy feeling.
• You have severe dizziness or fainting.
• You don't have much appetite.
• You have changes in your vision, such as changes in color vision (more yellow color), blurred vision, or halos around bright lights.
• You have severe weakness or tiredness.
• You have severe nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea.
• You have unusual confusion.

Written by Donald L. Warkentin, MD.
Published by RelayHealth.
© 2009 RelayHealth and/or its affiliates. All Rights Reserved.