Digoxin

What is digoxin?

Digoxin is a medicine used to strengthen the heart. The heart can then pump stronger and more effectively. It can also control and slow certain irregular or fast heartbeats.

You may hear digoxin called by its brand name, Lanoxin. Digoxin comes in a tablet, liquid and injection forms.

Before giving digoxin to your child

Tell your doctor if your child has a severe allergy to digoxin, other medicines, preservatives, dyes or food.

Talk with your doctor or pharmacist if your child has any of the following conditions. This medicine may not be right for your child if they have:

• low potassium or magnesium blood levels
• severe lung disease
• certain heart rhythm problems
• kidney disease
• liver disease
• thyroid disease

How should you give your child digoxin?

Follow these instructions when you give your child digoxin:

• Give your child digoxin regularly and exactly as your doctor or pharmacist tells you, even if your child seems well.
• Talk to your child's doctor before you change the dose or stop giving this medicine for any reason. Your child may become ill if they stop taking this medicine suddenly.
• Give your child digoxin at the same times every day. Doses should be at least 12 hours apart. Pick times that are easy for you so that your child does not miss doses.
• Give with a full glass of water.
• This medicine may be given with or without food. However, if it causes an upset stomach, it may help to give it with food.
• If your child is taking liquid digoxin, measure the dose of digoxin with the special dropper or syringe that the pharmacist gave you.

What should you do if your child misses a dose of digoxin?

• Give the missed dose as soon as you remember.
• If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose. Give the next dose at the regular time.
• Do not give your child two doses to make up for one missed dose.

How long does digoxin take to work?

It may take several weeks to see the full benefit.

What are the possible side effects of digoxin?

Your child may have some of these side effects while they take digoxin.

Call your child's doctor during office hours if your child has any of these side effects:

• mild diarrhea (watery bowel movements)
• loss of appetite
• mild upset stomach including throwing up
• drowsiness or dizziness
• unusual tiredness or weakness

Most of the following side effects are not common, but they may be a sign of a serious problem. Call your child's doctor right away or take your child to Emergency if your child has any of these side effects:

• any sign of a serious allergic reaction, including rash or hives
• severe nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea
• blurred vision or disturbances in colour vision
• severe headache
• irregular or uneven heartbeats
• trouble breathing
• fainting or passing out

What safety measures should you take when your child is using digoxin?

Keep all appointments at the clinic or doctor's office so that the doctor can check your child's reaction to digoxin. Your doctor may order blood tests and electrocardiograms (ECGs) and then may need to change the dose to ensure that your child is getting the right amount.

Before your child has any kind of operation, even on the teeth, or an emergency treatment, tell the doctor or dentist that your child is taking digoxin. Your child should also wear a Medic-Alert bracelet or necklace, and carry a wallet card that says they are taking digoxin.

Check with your child's doctor or pharmacist before giving your child any other medicines (prescription, non-prescription, herbal, or natural products).

There are some medicines that should not be taken together with digoxin or in some cases the dose of digoxin or the other medicine may need to be adjusted. It is important that you tell your doctor and pharmacist if your child takes any other medications (prescription, over the counter, or herbal), including: other heart tablets including amiodarone and calcium channel blockers, antiepileptics, antibiotics, antacids, and cyclosporine.

What other important information should you know about digoxin?

• Keep a list of all medications your child is on and show the list to the doctor or pharmacist.
• Do not share your child's medicine with others. Do not give anyone else's medicine to your child.
• Make sure you always have enough digoxin to last through weekends, holidays, and vacations. Call your pharmacy at least 2 days before your child runs out of medicine to order refills.
• Keep digoxin at room temperature in a cool, dry place away from sunlight. Do NOT store it in the bathroom or kitchen.
• Do not keep any medicines that are out of date. Check with your pharmacist about the best way to throw away outdated or leftover medicines.
  

Keep digoxin out of your child’s sight and reach and locked up in a safe place. If your child takes too much digoxin, call your local Poison Information Centre at one of these numbers. These calls are free. 

• Call 1-844 POISON-X, or 1-844-764-7669, from anywhere in Canada except Quebec.
• Call 1-800-463-5060 if you live in Quebec.