Drug Notes

Digoxin (By injection)

Digoxin (di-JOX-in)

Treats heart failure and heart rhythm problems. This medicine is also called digitalis.

Brand Name(s):

Digoxin Novaplus, Lanoxin, Lanoxin Pediatric

When This Medicine Should Not Be Used:

How to Use This Medicine:

Injectable

• Your doctor will prescribe your exact dose and tell you how often it should be given. This medicine is given as a shot into a muscle or into a vein.
• A nurse or other health provider will give you this medicine.
• Missed dose: Call your doctor or pharmacist for instructions.

Drugs and Foods to Avoid:

Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.

• Some foods and medicines can affect how digoxin works. Tell your doctor if you are using any of the following:
  • Dopamine, ginseng, ivabradine, quinine, ritonavir, spironolactone, teriparatide
  • Blood pressure medicine
  • Medicine for heart rhythm problems (including amiodarone, dofetilide, dronedarone, propafenone, quinidine, sotalol, verapamil)
  • Thyroid supplement

Warnings While Using This Medicine:

• Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you have kidney disease, liver disease, blood vessel disease, thyroid problems, or any other heart problems, including heart block, recent heart attack, or Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome.
• This medicine may cause the following problems:
  • Risk of overdose
  • Slow heartbeat, heart block
• Tell any doctor or dentist who treats you that you are using this medicine. This medicine may affect certain medical test results.
• Your doctor will do lab tests at regular visits to check on the effects of this medicine. Keep all appointments.

Possible Side Effects While Using This Medicine:

Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:

• Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing
• Confusion, weakness, headache, dizziness
• Fast, slow, pounding, or uneven heartbeat
• Nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, ongoing diarrhea, vision changes (green-yellow color disturbances)
• Weight loss, stomach pain, unusual behavior, drowsiness (in children)

If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:

• Pain, itching, burning, swelling, or a lump under your skin where the needle or shot was given

If you notice other side effects that you think are caused by this medicine, tell your doctor

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088

Last Updated: 1/27/2017