Digoxin
Also sold as: Lanoxin
Usual adult dose
Dose is set by your doctor and checked with blood tests. Usual adult maintenance dose: 62.5 to 250 micrograms once a day (lower in elderly people and kidney disease).
Your doctor may give you a different dose. Children's doses depend on weight.
Side effects
Common
- nausea
- loss of appetite
- diarrhoea
- tiredness
Serious — get help
Stop taking it and see a doctor straight away if you notice:
- vomiting
- confusion
- yellow or green vision
- slow or irregular heartbeat (signs of overdose)
Do not take it, or take care, if
- Certain heart rhythm problems (heart block, WPW syndrome)
- Low potassium (raises the risk of toxicity)
- Kidney disease (lower dose needed)
- Elderly people (use with caution)
Interactions
Medicines that can react with this one.
Serious2 medicinesDo not take these together unless your doctor says so.
- Amiodarone
Amiodarone raises digoxin levels; the digoxin dose usually needs halving.
- Verapamil
Verapamil raises digoxin levels and can cause toxicity and heart block.
Moderate15 medicinesTake together only with care. Ask your doctor or pharmacist.
- Azithromycin
Can raise digoxin levels; watch for nausea, slow pulse or vision changes.
- Bisacodyl
Overuse of laxatives can lower potassium and increase the risk of digoxin toxicity.
- Carvedilol
Carvedilol raises digoxin levels and both slow the heart.
- Chlortalidone
Low potassium from the diuretic raises the risk of digoxin toxicity.
Minor4 medicinesUsually not a problem, but tell your doctor.
- Carbimazole
Digoxin levels can rise as thyroid levels fall; the dose may need adjusting.
- Ispaghula husk
Fibre may reduce digoxin absorption; separate the doses.
- Sitagliptin
Sitagliptin can slightly raise digoxin levels; monitoring may be needed.
- Thiamazole
Digoxin levels can rise as thyroid levels fall; the dose may need adjusting.