What is Lanoxin?
Lanoxin comes from the leaves of digitalis plants. Digoxin makes the heart beat faster and more regularly.Lanoxin is used in the treatment of heart failure.Lanoxin can also be used to treat atrial fibrillation. This is a heart rhythm disorder that affects the atria, the upper chambers of your heart where blood flows into your heart.
Warnings
Lanoxin should not be used if you suffer from ventricular fibrillation, a disorder that affects the lower chambers or ventricles of the heart. This allows blood to leave the heart.
Before you take this drug
If you have ventricular fibrillation, a disorder of heart rhythm that affects the lower chambers or ventricles of the heart and allows blood to leave the heart, you should not take Lanoxin.
Tell your doctor about any of the following to ensure that lanoxin will be safe for you:
- A serious heart condition, such as "sick-sinus syndrome" or an "AV block", (unless you already have a pacemaker);
- A heart attack;
- You fainted because of slow heartbeats.
- Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome (sudden fast heartbeats);
- Kidney disease
- An electrolyte imbalance is a low level of potassium, calcium, or magnesium in the blood.
- A thyroid disorder,
- If you've recently had nausea or diarrhoea,
Inform your doctor immediately if you become pregnant. Digoxin may harm an unborn child, but this is unknown. Heart failure or atrial fluttering during pregnancy can cause complications such as low birth weight, premature birth, or even death for both mother and child. Digoxin can be used to treat heart problems. This may have a greater benefit for the baby than any potential risks.Breast-feeding may not be possible while taking Lanoxin. You should consult your doctor if you are concerned about any risks.
How to take Lanoxin?
Follow the instructions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Read all the instructions on the prescription label.Take Lanoxin orally at the same time each day.Measuring liquid medicine is important. Use the provided dosing device or a dose-measuring tool (not a spoon).Lanoxin should be taken regularly, even if there are no symptoms or you do not feel sick. Refill your prescription before you run out.The injection of lanoxin is administered as a shot or infusion through a vein. If you cannot take the medicine orally, a healthcare provider can give you an injection.You will need to check your blood pressure and heartbeat daily.Your blood may need to be tested frequently. Your kidney function could need to be evaluated.Do not abruptly stop taking lanoxin. You may worsen your condition if you stop suddenly.Store at room temperature away from heat and moisture to maintain maximum shelf life.
Details on dosage
Adult Lanoxin Dosage:
Rapid Digitalization Using Dose Loading:
Digoxin peak body stores between 8 and 12 mcg/kg provide a therapeutic benefit with minimal risk of toxicities in the majority of patients with heart failure.
The first fraction of the loading dose is approximately half. Additional fractions may be administered at intervals between 6 and 8 hours. Before each additional dose, it is important to carefully assess the patient's response. If a patient's response requires a different loading dose, the calculation for the maintenance dose will be based on the actual amount given.
Tablets:
Initial: 500–750 mcg produces a noticeable effect within 0.5-2 hours, with the maximum effect occurring between 2 and 6 hours. Additional doses between 125 and 375 mcg can be administered at intervals of 6 to 8 hours until clinical evidence is observed. Digoxin tablets are usually required to reach peak body stores of 8–12 mcg/kg for a 70-kg person. This is between 750 and 1250 mg.
Injection:
Initial: 400–600 mcg intravenously produces a detectable result in 5–30 minutes, with the maximum effect occurring in 1-4 hours. Additional 100–300 mcg doses may be administered at intervals of 6–8 hours until a clinically significant effect is observed. A 70-kg patient will require 600–1000 mcg of digoxin to reach 8–12 mcg/kg of body peak stores. Injectables are often used for rapid digitalization and then converted to digoxin tablet maintenance therapy.Maintenance DoseDigoxin dosages in controlled trials for heart failure patients ranged between 125 and 500 mcg daily. The digoxin dosage was titrated in these studies according to patient age, weight, and renal function. Patients under 70 years of age with good kidney function are usually started on a daily dose of 250 mg.Adult dose for atrial fibrillation inFor patients with atrial flutter, peak digoxin stores greater than 8–12 mcg/kg have been used to control ventricular rate. Digoxin doses used to treat chronic atrial fibrillation must be adjusted until they achieve the desired ventricular control without side effects.
What happens if I miss the dose?
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as possible. Skip the missed dose when your next dose is less than 12 hours away. Never take two doses in one go.
What happens if I overdose?
Call Poison Help at 1-800-222-1222 or seek emergency medical care. A digoxin overdose can be fatal.Overdose symptoms include nausea and vomiting, as well as feeling tired.
What should be avoided?
Avoid overheating or dehydration during exercise, in hot weather, or by drinking insufficient fluids. Dehydration can make it easier to overdose on digoxin.
Side effects of Lanoxin
If you experience any of the following symptoms of an allergic reaction: hives, difficulty breathing, swelling of your lips, face, tongue, or throat, contact emergency medical assistance immediately.
If you experience:
- Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and stomach pain;
- Heart rate can be fast, slow, or uneven.
- A feeling of lightheadedness, as if you could pass out.
- Bloody or black, tarry stool;
- Confusion, weakness, hallucinations, or unusual thoughts and behaviours
- Breast swelling or tenderness
- Blurred vision or yellowed vision
- In children or babies, stomach pain, loss of weight, and behaviour change.
The likelihood of serious side effects is higher in older adults with illnesses or disabilities.
Some of the common lanoxin side effects include:
- Nausea, diarrhoea;
- Feeling weak or dizzy
- Headache or weakness; anxiety or depression
There may be other side effects.Call your physician immediately if experiencing side effects; alternatively, the FDA can be reached at 1-800-FDA-1088 in order to report them.
Interaction with other drug
Not taking certain medicines at the same time may not always be safe. Some drugs may affect the blood levels of drugs that you are taking, which can increase side effects and make them less effective.Digoxin can interact with many drugs. These drugs include prescribed and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products - this list may not cover every possible interaction.Inform your doctor of all medications you are currently taking and those that you will stop or start using.
