Digoxin was approved by the FDA on 30/09/1997 to treat heart failure.

Digoxin is used to treat arrhythmias and heart failure. An arrhythmia is an irregularity in the heartbeat, which causes the heart to skip a beat, beat irregularly or beat at the wrong speed.  Heart failure is the heart’s inability to pump blood adequately to the body.

Digoxin is available as injections, tablets, and syrups in the strength of 0.25mg, 0.5mg, and 60ml respectively. Your physician will decide the dosage of this injection based on the severity of your disease and other factors.

Digoxin, like many medications, can lead to side effects. It is important to note that not everyone experiences these side effects. Some common side effects associated with digoxin include allergic reactions of the skin, like rashes and urticaria, abnormal heartbeats, as well as symptoms like nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Dizziness and visual disturbances, such as blurred or yellow vision, are also reported side effects. You must be aware of these potential reactions while taking digoxin and consult a healthcare professional if you encounter any of these symptoms.

It is not recommended to take digoxin if you have allergies to digoxin, other cardiac glycosides, or any of its components. Tell your doctor if you have recently suffered a heart attack or any severe heart condition, received any electric shock treatment to correct heartbeat, lung disease, kidney disease, thyroid disorders, high blood pressure(BP), vitamin B1 deficiency or malabsorption syndrome (cannot absorb minerals from food properly) before taking this medicine. Prior communication about your medical history and medications with your healthcare provider is crucial before initiating treatment.

Inform your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding before the treatment. The effect of digoxin may be increased if you have severe lung diseases, leading to undesirable side effects. Hence, inform your physician of any lung diseases before taking the medicine. Digoxin can cause dizziness. Hence, do not drive or use heavy machinery if you feel dizzy. Consult your doctor for more advice. It is not recommended to consume alcohol while you are in treatment with digoxin, as it can cause dizziness and enhance the effect of alcohol.

During the treatment with digoxin, your doctor may require you to take regular blood tests to monitor the digoxin levels in your blood, especially if you have kidney disorders. It is important to inform the healthcare provider conducting an ECG (electrocardiogram) about your digoxin intake, as it can influence the test results. Additionally, if you take digoxin alongside suxamethonium (used for muscle relaxation and short-term paralysis treatment), there is a higher risk of elevated potassium levels in your blood. Hence, inform your doctor if you are on short-term paralysis treatment. While this medicine can generally be taken with or without food, it is important to avoid high-fiber foods as they can reduce the absorption of Digoxin in your body. Awareness of these considerations and communicating them to your healthcare providers is essential for your safety and effective treatment.

1. Aspen Pharma, Electronic medicines compendium (EMC), [Revised on April 2022] [Accessed on 5th Oct 2023],  https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/product/5461/pil#gref
2. Concordia Pharmaceuticals, US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), [Revised on Dec 2016] [Accessed on 5th Oct 2023],https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2016/020405s013lbl.pdf
3. Kd Tripathi, Essentials Of Medical Pharmacology, Cardiac Glycosides and Drugs for Heart Failure, 8th Edition, 2019, 556-566
4. Goodman & Gilman's, The Pharmacological Basis Of Therapeutics, Therapy Of Heart Failure, 13th Edition, 2018, 538-539

The drug information on this page is not a substitute for medical advice. It is meant for educational purposes only. For further details, consult your doctor about your medical condition to know if you can receive this treatment.