Prescription:

Lanoxin (Digoxin) is used to control some irregular rhythms of the heart, mainly for people who have atrial fibrilliation. It can also be for people with congestive heart failure by helping the heart beat stronger and more efficiently.

Digoxin is given as an injection in the hospital under close supervision by health care providers. Normally, the doctor would prescribe digoxin tablets (e.g., after discharge from the hospital or between follow-up visits with the doctor).
The dose varies widely depending on age, disease, weight, and kidney function. Higher doses are often given at the start of treatment and reduced for maintenance treatment. Children's doses are individually determined by their doctor and based on body weight.
Digoxin is normally taken once daily at the same time each day with food.
Store this medication at room temperature, protect it from light, and keep it out of the reach of children.

Why is this drug prescribed?

This drug contains the active ingredient digoxin, which is a type of drug called a cardiac glycoside. It is a form of digitalis, a drug that is extracted from the leaves of the foxglove plant. Digoxin works directly on the heart muscle. It slows down the rate at which the heart beats, and also increases the force with which the heart muscles contract with every heartbeat. This makes each heartbeat more efficient at pumping blood around the body. Digoxin is used to treat certain abnormal heart rhythms caused by abnormal contractions in the upper part of the heart, in particular a condition called atrial fibrillation. In AF, the upper two chambers of the heart, called the atria, contract very rapidly, and the lower two chambers of the heart, called the ventricles, respond by beating rapidly and irregularly. An irregular heartbeat is not very efficent at pumping blood around the body. By slowing the heart rate and making each beat more forceful, digoxin makes the heart pump more efficiently in this condition. Digoxin is also used to treat heart failure, a condition where the hearts ability to pump blood around the body is diminished. By improving the efficiency of each heartbeat, digoxin allows the heart to continue to effectively pump blood and oxygen around the body. The blood level of digoxin that is needed for it to be effective is quite close to the blood level that causes unwanted effects. This is true of a few drugs, and is described as a narrow therapeutic index. Treatment can still be safe, and your doctor will monitor your digoxin treatment closely, and may take blood tests to check the level of digoxin in your blood. You should tell your doctor if you experience any side effects during treatment, particularly nausea and vomiting, loss of appetite, visual disturbances, palpitations or confusion, as these may indicate your blood level is too high and that your dose needs reducing.

Treatments

* Abnormal heart rhythms caused by abnormal contractions in the upper part of the heart * Heart failure * Irregular heartbeat caused by very rapid contraction of the top two chambers of the heart

What side effects can this drug cause?

* Headache * Diarrhoea * Fatigue * Skin rashes * Abnormal heart beats * Blockade of the electrical pathways which control the pumping action of the heart * Dizziness * Nausea and vomiting * Loss of appetite * Slow heart rate * Abnormal enlargement of breasts in men with long term use of drug * Weakness or loss of strength * A general feeling of being unwell * Confusion * Visual disturbances