Digoxin is prescribed to treat heart failure and irregular heartbeats (arrhythmias). It improves cardiac performance and aids in heart rate regulation.

Digoxin is available as a pill, capsule, or paediatric elixir (liquid) for oral administration. One daily dose of digoxin is typical. A designated dropper for measuring the dosage is included with the paediatric elixir. If you’re having trouble, ask your pharmacist to walk you through using it. You must take the same brand of digoxin consistently. Digoxin comes in many brands with varying concentrations of the active ingredient, so your dose would need to be adjusted.

Ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any instructions on your prescription label that you are unsure about following. Administer digoxin as prescribed. Never take it in larger or less amounts or more frequently than directed by your doctor.

Digoxin aids in managing your disease but cannot reverse it. Even if you feel well, keep taking digoxin. Without first consulting your doctor, do not discontinue taking digoxin.

Digoxin may also be administered following a heart attack to treat angina, which is a type of heart pain. Discuss the potential dangers of using this medicine for your illness with your doctor.

Other prescriptions for this drug are possible. For more information, consult your physician or pharmacist.

Before taking digoxin,

• If you have an allergy to digoxin, digitoxin, or any other medications, inform your doctor and pharmacist right away.
• In particular, mention antacids, antibiotics, calcium, corticosteroids, diuretics (‘water pills’), other heart disease medications, thyroid meds, and vitamins to your doctor and pharmacist when you are taking both prescription and over-the-counter medicines.
• If you have thyroid issues, heart arrhythmias, cancer, or kidney disease, let your doctor know.
• Inform your doctor if you are expecting, intend to get pregnant, or are nursing a baby. Call your doctor if you become pregnant while taking digoxin.
• If you are 65 years of age or older, discuss the advantages and disadvantages of using this medicine with your doctor. Digoxin should often be administered in low doses to older persons because greater doses may have dangerous side effects.
• Inform your doctor or dentist that you are taking digoxin if you are having surgery, including dental surgery.
• You should be aware that this medicine may cause you to feel sleepy. Prior to understanding how this drug affects you, avoid using machinery or driving a car.
• Keep in mind that drinking alcohol can worsen the drowsiness brought on by this drug.

A potassium supplement and a low-sodium (low-salt) diet may be advised by your doctor. Get a list of foods that are high in potassium and low in sodium by asking your pharmacist or doctor. Pay close attention to all diet instructions.

As soon as you recall, take the missed dose. Skip the missed dose and carry on with your regular dosing plan, nevertheless, if it is almost time for the subsequent dose. Never take two doses at once to make up for missing ones.

Digoxin might have negative effects. If any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away, let your doctor know right once:

• Feeling unsteady or lightheaded
• Drowsiness
• Vision alterations (blurred or yellow)
• Rash
• Unsteady heartbeat

There could be some severe negative effects. Call your doctor right away if you have any of the following symptoms:

• Uneasy stomach
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Reduced appetite
• Edoema in the hands or feet
• Unexpected weight gain
• Having trouble breathing

You or your doctor can submit a report to the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting programme online or by phone if you have a serious side event (1-800-332-1088).

Keep this medication tightly closed in the original container and out of the reach of children. Keep it away from excessive heat and moisture at room temperature (not in the bathroom).

Unused prescriptions must be disposed of carefully to prevent pets, kids, and other people from ingesting them. You should not, however, dispose of this medication in the toilet. Instead, utilising a medicine take-back programme is the easiest approach to get rid of your medication. To find out about take-back programmes in your area, speak with your pharmacist or the garbage/recycling department in your city. If you do not have access to a take-back programme, see the FDA’s Safe Disposal of Medications website at http://goo.gl/c4Rm4p for additional information.

Although many containers (such as weekly pill minders and those for eye drops, creams, patches, and inhalers) are not child-resistant and are simple for young children to open, it is crucial to keep all medications out of sight and out of reach of children. Always lock safety caps and promptly stash medication up and away from young children where it is out of their sight and reach to prevent poisoning. http://www.upandaway.org

Call the poison control hotline at 1-800-222-1222 in the event of an overdose. Moreover, information can be found online at https://www.poisonhelp.org/help. Call 911 right once if the person has collapsed, experienced a seizure, is having difficulty breathing, or cannot be roused.

Keep all of your appointments with your physician and the lab. Your doctor needs to ascertain how you react to digoxin. Periodic blood tests and electrocardiograms (EKGs) may be required, and your dose may need to be changed. Your physician could instruct you to take your pulse (heart rate). To learn how to take your pulse, ask your doctor or pharmacist. Call your doctor if your pulse is abnormally fast or slow.

No one else should take your medication. Any queries you may have regarding medication refills should be directed to your pharmacist.

You should keep a written record of every medication you take, including any over-the-counter (OTC) items, prescription drugs, and dietary supplements like vitamins and minerals. This list should be brought with you whenever you see a doctor or are admitted to the hospital. You should always have this information with you in case of emergencies.