Consumer Information

Lanoxin

Generic Name: digoxin (oral) (di JOX in)
Brand Names: Digitek, Lanoxicaps, Lanoxin

What is Lanoxin?

Lanoxin is derived from the leaves of a digitalis plant. It helps make the heart beat stronger and with a more regular rhythm.

Lanoxin is used to treat congestive heart failure.

Lanoxin is also used to slow the heart rate in patients with chronic atrial fibrillation, a heart rhythm disorder of the atria (the upper chambers of the heart that allow blood to flow into the heart).

Important information about Lanoxin

You should not use Lanoxin if you are allergic to digoxin, or if you have ventricular fibrillation (a heart rhythm disorder of the ventricles, or lower chambers of the heart that allow blood to flow out of the heart).

Before using Lanoxin, tell your doctor if you have certain heart conditions, especially "AV block" (unless you have a pacemaker), or a recent history of heart attack. Also tell your doctor if you have kidney disease, a thyroid disorder, an electrolyte imbalance (such as low levels of calcium, potassium, or magnesium in your blood), or if you are malnourished or have recently been sick with vomiting or diarrhea.

Keep taking Lanoxin as directed, even if you feel well. Get your prescription refilled before you run out of medicine completely.

Do not stop taking Lanoxin without first talking to your doctor. Stopping suddenly may make your condition worse.

Avoid becoming overheated or dehydrated during exercise, in hot weather, or by not drinking enough fluids. Lanoxin overdose can occur more easily if you are dehydrated.

There are many other medicines that can interact with Lanoxin. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor. Keep a list with you of all the medicines you use and show this list to any doctor or other healthcare provider who treats you.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking Lanoxin?

If you have certain conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely use this medication. Before using Lanoxin, tell your doctor if you have:

certain heart conditions, especially "AV block" (unless you have a pacemaker);
a recent history of heart attack;
kidney disease;
a thyroid disorder;
an electrolyte imbalance (such as low levels of calcium, potassium, or magnesium in your blood); or
if you are malnourished or have recently been sick with vomiting or diarrhea.

FDA pregnancy category C. Lanoxin may be harmful to an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment. Lanoxin can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby. Older adults may be more likely to have side effects from Lanoxin.

How should I take Lanoxin?

Take Lanoxin exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Do not take it in larger amounts or for longer than recommended. Follow the directions on your prescription label.

Take Lanoxin with a full glass of water.

Try to take the medication at the same time every day.

Measure liquid medicine with a special dose-measuring spoon or cup, not a regular table spoon. If you do not have a dose-measuring device, ask your pharmacist for one.

To be sure Lanoxin is not causing harmful effects, your blood may need to be tested on a regular basis. Your kidney function may also need to be tested. Do not miss any scheduled appointments.

Keep taking Lanoxin as directed, even if you feel well. Get your prescription refilled before you run out of medicine completely.

Do not stop taking Lanoxin without first talking to your doctor. Stopping suddenly may make your condition worse. Store this medication at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If your next dose is less than 12 hours away, wait until then to take the medicine and skip the missed dose. Do not take extra Lanoxin to make up the missed dose.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine.

Overdose symptoms may include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, blurred vision, seeing halos around lights or objects, severe skin rash, fast/slow or uneven heartbeats, and feeling like you might pass out.

What should I avoid while taking Lanoxin?

Avoid becoming overheated or dehydrated during exercise, in hot weather, or by not drinking enough fluids. Lanoxin overdose can occur more easily if you are dehydrated.

Lanoxin side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. Call your doctor at once if you have a serious side effect such as:

fast, slow, or uneven heart rate;
bloody or black, tarry stools;
blurred vision, yellowed vision; or
confusion, hallucinations, unusual thoughts or behavior.

Less serious Lanoxin side effects may include:

mild nausea, vomiting, diarrhea;
feeling weak or dizzy;
headache;
enlarged breasts in men; or
mild skin rash.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Tell your doctor about any unusual or bothersome side effect. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What other drugs will affect Lanoxin?

Many drugs can interact with Lanoxin. Below is just a partial list. Tell your doctor if you are using:

an antacid, or Kaopectate;
alprazolam (Xanax);
cancer medications;
clonidine (Catapres);
supplements or medications that contain calcium;
a diuretic (water pill), such as spironolactone (Aldactone, Aldactazide);
amphotericin B (Fungizone, AmBisome, Abelcet);
cholestyramine (Questran, Prevalite);
epinephrine (EpiPen);
guanabenz (Wytensin) or guanfacine (Tenex);
indomethacin (Indocin);
isoproterenol (Isuprel);
itraconazole (Sporanox);
levothyroxine (Synthroid, Levothroid, and others);
methyldopa (Aldomet);
metoclopramide (Reglan);
neomycin (Mycifradin, Neo-Fradin, Neo-Tab);
rifampin (Rifadin, Rifater, Rifamate);
sulfasalazine (Azulfidine); or
an antibiotic such as erythromycin (E.E.S., EryPed, Ery-Tab, Erythrocin), clarithromycin (Biaxin), or tetracycline (Brodspec, Panmycin, Sumycin, Tetracap);
a beta-blocker such as carvedilol (Coreg), metoprolol (Lopressor, Toprol), and others;
a calcium channel blocker such as amlodipine (Norvasc), diltiazem (Tiazac, Cartia, Cardizem), felodipine (Plendil), nisoldipine (Sular), verapamil (Calan, Covera, Isoptin, Verelan), and others;
decongestant cold or allergy medicine, or nasal sprays such as Afrin, Duramist, Neo-Synephrine, Tysine Nasal, and others;
a heart rhythm medication such as amiodarone (Cordarone, Pacerone), propafenone (Rythmol), or quinidine (Quinaglute, Quinidex, Quin-Release); or
steroids such as prednisone, fluticasone (Advair), mometasone (Asmanex, Nasonex), dexamethasone (Decadron, Hexadrol) and others.

This list is not complete and there are many other medicines that can interact with Lanoxin. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor. Keep a list with you of all the medicines you use and show this list to any doctor or other healthcare provider who treats you.

Where can I get more information?

Your pharmacist can provide more information about Lanoxin.

Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects.