$Unique_ID{BRK01930}
$Pretitle{}
$Title{DIGOXIN}
$Subject{digoxin (various manufacturers)
Lanoxicaps (Burroughs Wellcome)
Lanoxin (Burroughs Wellcome)}
$Volume{}
$Log{
Lanoxin 0.125*0193001.scf}
Lanoxin 0.25*0193002.scf}

Copyright (C) 1991 Publications International, Ltd.


DIGOXIN
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BRAND NAMES (Manufacturers):
     digoxin (various manufacturers)
     Lanoxicaps (Burroughs Wellcome)
     Lanoxin (Burroughs Wellcome)
TYPE OF DRUG:
     Cardiac glycoside
INGREDIENT:
     digoxin
DOSAGE FORMS:
     Tablets (0.125 mg, 0.25 mg, and 0.5 mg)
     Capsules (0.05 mg, 0.1 mg, and 0.2 mg)
     Pediatric elixir (0.05 mg per ml, with 10% alcohol)
STORAGE:
     Digoxin tablets, capsules, and pediatric elixir should be stored at room
       temperature in tightly closed, light-resistant containers.  This
       medication should never be frozen.

USES

     Digoxin is used to strengthen the heartbeat and improve heart rhythm.  It
works directly on the muscle of the heart to improve contraction.

TREATMENT

     In order to avoid stomach irritation, you can take digoxin with a full
glass of water or with food.  Try to take it at the same time every day.
     Measure the dose of the pediatric elixir carefully with the dropper
provided.  An ordinary kitchen teaspoon is not accurate enough.
     Antacids decrease the absorption of digoxin from the gastrointestinal
tract.  Therefore, if you are taking both digoxin and an antacid, the dose of
digoxin should be taken one hour before or two hours after a dose of antacids.
     Try not to miss any doses of this medication.  If you do miss a dose,
take the missed dose as soon as possible, unless it is almost time for the
next dose.  In that case, do not take the missed dose at all; just return to
your regular dosing schedule.  Do not double the next dose.  If you miss more
than two doses of digoxin, contact your doctor.
     Digoxin does not cure congestive heart failure, but it will help to
control the condition as long as you continue to take the medication.

SIDE EFFECTS

     Minor.

     Apathy, diarrhea, drowsiness, headache, muscle weakness, or tiredness.
These side effects should disappear as your body adjusts to the medication.

     Major.

     Tell your doctor about any side effects that are persistent or
particularly bothersome.  IT IS ESPECIALLY IMPORTANT TO TELL YOUR DOCTOR about
disorientation, enlarged and painful breasts (in both sexes), hallucinations,
loss of appetite, mental depression, nausea, palpitations, severe abdominal
pain, slowed heart rate, visual disturbances (such as blurred or yellow
vision), or vomiting.

INTERACTIONS

     Digoxin interacts with several other types of medications (interactions
may vary depending upon the dosage form of digoxin being used):
     1. Penicillamine, antiseizure medications, rifampin, aminoglutethimide,
and levodopa can decrease the blood levels and, therefore, the effectiveness
of digoxin.
     2. Erythromycin, amiodarone, captopril, benzodiazepine tranquilizers,
flecainide, tetracycline, hydroxychloroquine, verapamil, nifedipine,
diltiazem, quinidine, quinine, and spironolactone can increase the blood
levels of digoxin, which can lead to an increase in side effects.
     3. Thyroid hormone, propylthiouracil, and methimazole can change the
dosage requirements of digoxin.
     4. Antacids, kaolin-pectin, sulfasalazine, aminosalicylic acid,
metoclopramide, antineoplastic agents (anticancer drugs), neomycin,
colestipol, and cholestyramine can decrease the absorption of digoxin from the
gastrointestinal tract, decreasing its effectiveness.
     5. Calcium, tolbutamide, and reserpine can increase the side effects of
digoxin.
     6. Diuretics (water pills) and adrenocorticosteroids (cortisone-like
medications) can cause hypokalemia (low potassium blood levels), which can
increase the side effects of digoxin.
     BE SURE TO TELL YOUR DOCTOR about any medications you are currently
taking, especially any of those listed above.

WARNINGS

     * Tell your doctor about unusual or allergic reactions you have had to
any medications, especially to digoxin, digitoxin, or gitalin.
     * Tell your doctor if you now have or if you have ever had kidney
disease, lung disease, thyroid disease, hypokalemia (low blood levels of
potassium), or hypercalcemia (high blood levels of calcium).
     * The pharmacologic activity of the different brands of this drug varies
widely--the tablets dissolve in the stomach and bowel at different rates and
to varying degrees.  Because of this variability, it is important not to
change brands of the drug without consulting your doctor.
     * Meals high in bran fiber may reduce the absorption of digoxin from the
gastrointestinal tract.  Avoid these types of meals when taking your dose of
medication.
     * Your doctor may want you to take your pulse daily while you are using
digoxin.  Contact your doctor if your pulse becomes slower than what your
doctor tells you is normal, or if it drops below 50 beats per minute.
     * Before having surgery or any other medical or dental treatment, be sure
to tell your doctor or dentist that you are taking this medication.
     * Before taking any over-the-counter (nonprescription) asthma, allergy,
cough, cold, sinus, or diet product, be sure to check with your doctor or
pharmacist.  Some of these drugs can increase the side effects of digoxin.
     * Be sure to tell your doctor if you are pregnant.  Although this drug
appears to be safe during pregnancy, extensive studies in humans have not been
conducted.  In addition, the dosage of digoxin required to control your
symptoms may change during pregnancy.  Also, tell your doctor if you are
breast-feeding an infant.  Small amounts of digoxin pass into breast milk.

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The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace 
the counsel and advice of your personal physician.  Promptly consulting your 
doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical 
problem.
