Important Note

The following information is intended to supplement, not substitute for, the expertise and judgment of your physician, pharmacist or other healthcare professional. It should not be construed to indicate that use of the drug is safe, appropriate, or effective for you. Consult your healthcare professional before using this drug.

DIGITALIS MEDICINE - ORAL

(didge-ih-TAL-iss)

COMMON BRAND NAME(S): Crystodigin, Lanoxicaps, Lanoxin

Uses

Digitalis medication works directly on the heart muscle to strengthen and regulate the heartbeat. It is used to treat certain heart conditions.

How To Use

Take this medication exactly as prescribed. Try to take it at the same time(s) each day. May be taken with food or milk to avoid stomach irritation. Do not stop taking this medication without consulting your doctor. Some conditions may become worse when the drug is suddenly stopped.

Side Effects

Diarrhea, loss of appetite, drowsiness, headache, muscle weakness, and fatigue may occur as your body adjusts to the medication. Inform your doctor if you develop: confusion, visual disturbances (blurred vision or yellow/green halos around objects), fast/slow/irregular heartbeat, skin rash, breast enlargement, severe stomach upset. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.

Precautions

Tell your doctor if you have a history of: liver or kidney disease, lung disease, thyroid problems, rheumatic fever. Food high in fiber may decrease the absorption of digoxin. Be sure to take digoxin a few hours before or after eating something high in fiber (such as bran). Difficulty breathing and swelling in your lower legs and ankles may be signs that your dose is too low. If normal activity causes shortness of breath or if you awaken frequently during the night due to shortness of breath, tell your doctor. Do not change your dose without consulting your doctor. Before having surgery, including dental surgery, tell the doctor that you take digoxin. This medication should be used only when clearly needed during pregnancy. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor. Digoxin is excreted into breast milk. Though, to date, no problems have been noted in nursing infants, consult your doctor before breast-feeding.

Drug Interactions

Tell your doctor of all prescription and nonprescription medication you may use, especially: amphotericin, diuretics ("water pills"), corticosteroids (e.g., prednisone), amiodarone, acarbose, neomycin, quinidine, cyclosporine, verapamil, quinine, thyroid medication, propafenone, sucralfate, erythromycin-like drugs, rifampin, bepridil, penicillamine, drugs used for cancer, tetracycline, dextrothyroxine, St John's wort. Cholestyramine, colestipol or psyllium (Metamucil) should be taken at least 2 hours after digoxin to prevent interference. If you are taking aminosalicylic acid (PAS), antacids, kaolin-pectin, milk of magnesia or sulfasalazine, take it as far apart as possible from digoxin. Do not start or stop any medicine without doctor or pharmacist approval.

Overdose

If overdose is suspected, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately. Symptoms of overdose may include changes in vision, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, dizziness, weakness, and irregular heartbeat.

Notes

There are different generics of this medication available. Not all are identical in action. Do not change generics without consulting your doctor or pharmacist. Your doctor may want you to monitor your pulse rate every day while you take this medication. Discuss with your doctor what your pulse rate means. To evaluate the effectiveness of this medication, your doctor may periodically take a blood sample to measure the amount of the drug in your body. Do not allow anyone else to take your medication.

Missed Dose

If you miss a dose, take as soon as remembered if you remember within 12 hours. If you remember after 12 hours have passed, skip the missed dose and resume your usual dosing schedule. Do not "double-up" the dose to catch up. Call your doctor if you miss more than 2 doses in a row.

Storage

Store at room temperature between 59 and 86 degrees F (between 15 and 30 degrees C) away from moisture and sunlight. Do not store in the bathroom. Do not freeze liquid forms of this medication.

Medical Alert

Your condition can cause complications in a medical emergency. For enrollment information call MedicAlert at 1-800-854-1166 (USA), or 1-800-668-1507 (Canada).