Lanoxin

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

What is Lanoxin?

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

Lanoxin is used to treat heart failure.

Lanoxin is also used to treat atrial fibrillation, a heart rhythm disorder of the atria (the upper chambers of the heart that allow blood to flow into the heart).

Digoxin may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

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.

Slideshow: Top 10 Ways to Save on Your Medication Costs

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 drugs that can interact with Lanoxin. Tell your doctor about all medications you use. This includes prescription, over-the-counter, vitamin, and herbal products. Do not start a new medication without telling your doctor. Keep a list of all your medicines and show it to any healthcare provider who treats you.

Before taking 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).

To make sure you can safely take Lanoxin, tell your doctor if you have any of these other conditions:

• certain serious 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. It is not known whether Lanoxin will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant while using this medication. Digoxin 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.

See also: Lanoxin pregnancy and breastfeeding warnings (in more detail)

How should I take Lanoxin?

Take Lanoxin exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Do not take in larger or smaller 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.

To be sure this medication 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 Lanoxin 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 medicine to make up the missed dose.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222. An overdose of Lanoxin can be fatal.

Overdose symptoms may include severe forms of some of the side effects listed in this medication guide.

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 to Lanoxin: 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:

• nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite;

• feeling weak or dizzy;

• headache, anxiety, depression;

• enlarged breasts in men; or

• mild skin rash.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

See also: Lanoxin side effects (in more detail)

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);

• indomethacin (Indocin);

• isoproterenol (Isuprel);

• itraconazole (Sporanox);

• levothyroxine (Synthroid, Levothroid, and others);

• metoclopramide (Reglan);

• neomycin (Mycifradin, Neo-Fradin, Neo-Tab);

• rifampin (Rifadin, Rifater, Rifamate);

• St. John's wort;

• sulfasalazine (Azulfidine); or

• an antibiotic such as erythromycin (E.E.S., EryPed, Ery-Tab, Erythrocin), clarithromycin (Biaxin), or tetracycline (Brodspec, Panmycin, Sumycin, Tetracap);

• heart or blood pressure medicine such as amlodipine (Norvasc, Caduet, Exforge, Lotrel, Tekamlo, Tribenzor, Twynsta, Amturnide), carvedilol (Coreg), diltiazem (Cardizem, Cartia, Dilacor, Diltia, Diltzac, Taztia, Tiazac), metoprolol (Dutoprol, Lopressor, Toprol), nebivolol (Bystolic), nifedipine (Nifedical, Procardia), verapamil (Calan, Covera, Isoptin, Verelan, Tarka), 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 (Quin-G); 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 drugs that can interact with Lanoxin. Tell your doctor about all medications you use. This includes prescription, over-the-counter, vitamin, and herbal products. Do not start a new medication without telling your doctor.

Where can I get more information?

• Your pharmacist can provide more information about Lanoxin.