Lanoxin

The active ingredient in Lanoxin is digoxin, which is a cardiac glycoside that is derived from the digitalis plant. It works by inhibiting a protein in your heart, causing it to pump more strongly with each beat. This allows people with heart failure to receive more blood and oxygen throughout their bodies.

Lanoxin also lowers electrical activity in the heart, allowing people with atrial fibrillation more control over their heart rate.

Follow all directions given to you by your doctor and read all documents provided, including the full Prescribing Information, FDA-Approved Product Labeling, Instructions for Use, and Medication Guide before using Lanoxin. However, the following is a synopsis of the general guidelines for the use of Lanoxin:

• Try to take Lanoxin around the same time each day.
• Carefully measure liquid medicine when using it. Use the included dosing syringe or a pharmaceutical dose-measuring instrument (not a kitchen spoon).
• Take Lanoxin regularly, even if you are feeling fine or have no symptoms. Get your prescription refilled before you run out of medication entirely.
• Lanoxin injection is administered as a shot to a muscle or as an infusion into a vein. If you are unable to take the drug orally, your healthcare professional will administer this injection.
• Your blood pressure and heart rate will need to be checked daily, and you may need to have more frequent blood tests. Your renal function may also need to be assessed.
• It may be desirable to reduce the dose of or discontinue digoxin for 1 to 2 days before electrical cardioversion of atrial fibrillation to avoid the induction of ventricular arrhythmias.

The most common side effects of digoxin include:

• Nausea or vomiting.
• Changes in the heart rate.
• Loss of appetite.
• Diarrhea.
• Dizziness.
• Stomach pain.

Some individuals may experience serious side effects while using Lanoxin. These side effects may require immediate medical attention. If you experience any of the following, contact your healthcare provider or seek emergency medical help:

• Irregular heartbeat (arrhythmia) symptoms such as chest pain, discomfort, palpitations, shortness of breath, weariness, weakness, and sweating.
• Allergic reactions include skin rashes, itching, hives, and swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or neck.
• Digoxin poisoning symptoms, including confusion, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, vision changes such as blurry or yellow vision, visual disturbances, lethargy, and a fast or irregular heartbeat.
• Slow heartbeat symptoms include dizziness, faintness or lightheadedness, confusion, difficulty breathing, and unusual weakness or exhaustion.

These are not all of the possible side effects of Lanoxin. You should always seek medical advice from your healthcare provider for any questions or concerns about your medical condition or treatment. Read all patient information, medication guides, or drug information sheets that come with this medication. You can also report adverse effects to the Food and Drug Administration at www.fda.gov/medwatch or 1-800-FDA-1088.

Before starting Lanoxin, it is crucial to discuss any existing health conditions with your healthcare provider. You should be sure that your healthcare provider is aware of all your medical conditions, including if you have:

• A dangerous heart problem called "sick sinus syndrome" or "AV block" (unless you have a pacemaker).
• Heart disease or other serious heart conditions.
• Slow heartbeats have caused you to faint.
• Wolff-Parkinson-White Syndrome (sudden, rapid heartbeat).
• Kidney disease.
• An electrolyte imbalance such as high levels of calcium (hypercalcemia), low levels of potassium (hypokalemia), or low magnesium levels (hypomagnesemia) in your blood.
• A thyroid condition.
• If you have lately been unwell and experienced vomiting or diarrhea.
• If you are allergic to digoxin or have ventricular fibrillation, you should not use Lanoxin.

If you have any of the below conditions or if any of the following apply to you, please notify your healthcare professional since Digoxin (Lanoxin) is not safe for you to use.

• Ventricular fibrillation is a severe form of irregular cardiac rhythm.

Lanoxin can take several weeks to start functioning, and you will not feel better right away. Do not stop taking Lanoxin abruptly, as this could exacerbate your cardiac problems.

When Lanoxin is taken with other prescription drugs, over-the-counter medications, vitamins, and supplements, it may change how they work or increase the frequency or severity of side effects. Make sure that you tell your healthcare professional about anything that you are taking to avoid any negative drug interactions, including:

• Erythromycin.
• Itraconazole.
• Tetracycline.
• Alprazolam.
• Amiodarone.
• Cyclosporine.
• Penicillamine.
• Quinidine.
• Ritonavir.
• Spironolactone.
• Verapamil.

Your dose is determined by a variety of factors, including your body weight, kidney health, age, any drugs you are taking, and the dosage form of digoxin (Lanoxin) you are using, either oral solution or digoxin tablets.

Your provider will change your dose based on your digoxin (Lanoxin) blood levels and any negative effects you are experiencing.

Ages 10 years and up: In general, the average dose is 3.4 mg/kg to 5.1 mg/kg, administered orally once daily.

For children under the age of ten, the average maintenance dose varies between 3.2 mg/kg and 6.4 mg/kg, taken orally twice daily.

Digoxin (Lanoxin) is also available as an injectable for use in hospitals.

If you miss a dose, take the medicine as soon as you can, but skip the missed dose if your next dose of digoxin is due in less than 12 hours. Do not take two doses at one time.

Store Lanoxin at room temperature and keep it out of reach of children.

Concordia Pharmaceuticals Inc. is the pharmaceutical company that manufactures Lanoxin.

There are several low-cost generic versions available of Lanoxin.

Do not stop taking this medication suddenly as it can make your condition worsen. Contact your healthcare provider if you need to, or wish to stop Lanoxin.

Inform your doctor if you are pregnant. It is unclear whether digoxin will harm an unborn infant. However, having heart failure or atrial fibrillation during pregnancy can result in difficulties such as early birth, low birth weight, or even death for both the mother and the baby. The benefits of treating heart issues with digoxin may exceed the hazards to the newborn.

Talk to your doctor if you are already breastfeeding or if you have any plans to breastfeed. They will know or recommend what is best for you.