Description
Generics: Digoxin
Dosage Form: Tablet
Indications:
- Digoxin is used to treat heart failure.
- With an unregulated ventricular rate, atrial fibrillation occurs.
- Acute left ventricular failure is a condition in which the left ventricle fails suddenly.
- Hypertensive valvular (particularly mitral valvular) disease or ischemic heart disease can induce chronic left ventricular failure and congestive heart failure.
Pharmacology:
Digoxin is a cardiac glycoside used in the management of particularly atrial fibrillation and in heart failure. The principal actions of digoxin are an increase in the force of myocardial contraction (positive inotropic activity and a reduction in the conductivity of the heart particularly in conduction through the atrioventricular node. Digoxin also has a direct action on vascular smooth muscle and indirect effects mediated primarily by the autonomic nervous system and particularly by an increase in vagal activity.
Dosage guideline:
As per physicians instruction.
- Rapid digitalization: 1-1.5 mg in divided doses over 24 hours
- Less urgent digitalization: 250-500 micrograms daily (higher dose may be divided)
- Maintenance: 62.5-500 micrograms daily (higher dose may be divided) according to renal function and in atrial fibrillation on heart rate response.
- Usual range: 125-250 micrograms daily (lower dose may be divided) according to renal function and in atrial fibrilation on heart rate response.
- Usual range: 125-250 micrograms daily (lower dose may be appropriate in the elderly).
Route of administration: Orally.
Interaction:
Potassium-depleting diuretics increase the effects of digitalis. Calcium particularly if administered rapidly by the intravenous route, may produce serious arrhythmia in digitalized patients. Quinidine, verapamil, amiodarone, propafenone, indomethacin, itraconazole, alprazolam, spironolactone, erythromycin, clarithromycin (and possibly other macrolide antibiotics) and tetracycline increase digoxin serum level. Besides antacids, kaolinpectin, sulfasalazine, neomycin, penicillamine, calestipol, metoclopramide, rifampin may interfere with intestinal absorption of digoxin resulting low serum concentrations of the drug.
Contraindications:
- Ventricular fibrillation.
- Hypersensitivity to digoxin or other digitalis preparation.
Side Effects:
Anorexia, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, abdominal pain, visual disturbances, headache, fatigue, drowsiness, confusion, delirium, hallucination, depression, arrhythmia, heart block, intestinal ischaemia, gynecomastia with long-term use, and thrombocytopenia have all been reported as side effects of excessive dosage. Digoxin is safe to take throughout pregnancy.
Pregnancy & Lactation:
Digoxin is excreted in breast milk, although at levels lower than those seen in plasma, posing no risk to the breast-fed infant.
Therapeutic Class:
Positive Inotropic drugs.
Storage Conditions:
Store in a cool and dry place.Keep out of the reach of children.
Manufactured by: Aristopharma Ltd.
