Brand Name: Lanoxin, Lanoxicaps
Generic Name: Digoxin, Digitalis
FDA Drug Classification: Cardiac antidysrhytmic (treats rhythm problems of the heart)
Action: Makes more calcium available used by contractile proteins in the heart. This results in increased cardiac output(each beat of the heart circulates more blood) by increasing the force of contraction of the heart, getting more oxygen to the cells. Because the heart beat is more effective the heart rate will slow also making the heart work more efficiently.
It is used in CHF, atrial fibrillation, atrial flutter, cardiogenic shock and paroxysmal atrial tachycardia.
Adverse Effects: Possible adverse reactions include
- headache, drowsiness, apathy, confusion, disorientation, fatigue, depression, hallucinations
- hypotension (low blood pressure), bradycardia (dangerously slow heart beat)
- blurred vision, photophobia (adversion to light)
- nausea, vomiting, anorexia (decreased appitite), abdominal pain, diarrhea
Precautions: Use with casution in patients who have:
- renal(kidney)disease
- acute MI (heart attack)
- severe respiratory disease
- hypothyroidism
- elderly, pregnant or lactating (breast feeding)
- hypokalemia (low blood pottasium)
Possible Interactions: Digoxin interacts with many drugs and food including: antacids kaolin/pectin, thiazides; calcium given by injection; diurectics, amphotericinB, carbenicillin, ticaricillin, corticosteroids; thyroid medicationscholestfyramine, cloestipol, metoclopramide; propantheline, quinidine, verapamili, amiodarone, anticholinergics, diltiazem, nifedipine; thornbrk/berry, cascara sagrada bark, castor bean oil; ephedra; hawthorn; licorice; cocoa seeds, coffee seeds, guarana seeds, horsetail, hawthorn
Be sure to talk with your doctor about all medications both prescription and over-the-counter when you are taking Lanoxin
