Digoxin Elixir

Pronunciation: di-JOX-in
Generic Name: Digoxin
Brand Name: Lanoxin

Digoxin Elixir is used for:

Treating heart failure or slowing the heart rate in patients with chronic atrial fibrillation, a type of abnormal heart rhythm. It may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor.

Digoxin Elixir is a digitalis glycoside. It works by increasing the force of contraction of the heart and slowing heart rate.

Do NOT use Digoxin Elixir if:

• you are allergic to any ingredient in Digoxin Elixir


• you are taking sucralfate


• you have certain types of heart rhythm problems, such as ventricular fibrillation

Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.

Before using Digoxin Elixir:

Some medical conditions may interact with Digoxin Elixir. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:

• if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding


• if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement


• if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances


• if you have severe heart failure or other heart problems (eg, inflammation, heart block, cor pulmonale, cardiomyopathy, amyloid heart disease ), extra heart beats (premature ventricular contractions [PVCs]), other types of abnormal heart rhythm, heart problems due to low thiamine (eg, beriberi heart disease), Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome, heart blood vessel problems, or fainting due to a heart problem


• if you have severe kidney, liver, or lung problems, or thyroid problems


• if you have low blood levels of calcium, magnesium, or potassium, or high blood levels of potassium or calcium


• if you have had a recent heart attack

Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Digoxin Elixir. Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:

• Alprazolam, amiodarone, amphotericin B, anticholinergics (eg, propantheline), beta-blockers (eg, propranolol, carvedilol), bupivacaine, calcium, cyclosporine, diltiazem, diphenoxylate, diuretics (eg, furosemide, hydrochlorothiazide), indomethacin, itraconazole, macrolides (eg, erythromycin), propafenone, quinidine, quinine, spironolactone, stimulants (eg, amphetamine), succinylcholine, sympathomimetics (eg, albuterol, pseudoephedrine), tetracyclines (eg, doxycycline), thioamines (eg, methimazole), or verapamil because they may increase the risk of Digoxin Elixir's side effects, especially on the heart


• Acarbose, certain anticancer medicines, cholestyramine, colestipol, kaolin-pectin, metoclopramide, penicillamine, rifampin, sulfasalazine, or thyroid hormones (eg, levothyroxine) because they may decrease Digoxin Elixir's effectiveness


• Oral aminoglycosides (eg, neomycin) because the actions and side effects of Digoxin Elixir may be increased or decreased


• Spironolactone because it may interfere with certain lab tests for digoxin blood levels and give incorrect readings

This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Digoxin Elixir may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.

How to use Digoxin Elixir:

Use Digoxin Elixir as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.

• Take Digoxin Elixir by mouth. Do not take it within 1 hour of food high in fiber.


• Do not take antacids containing aluminum or magnesium, cholestyramine, or colestipol within 2 to 4 hours of taking Digoxin Elixir.


• Use the dropper that comes with Digoxin Elixir to measure your dose. Ask your pharmacist for help if you are unsure of how to measure your dose.


• If you miss a dose of Digoxin Elixir, take it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once.

Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Digoxin Elixir.

Important safety information:

• Digoxin Elixir may cause dizziness or blurred vision. These effects may be worse if you take it with alcohol or certain medicines. Use Digoxin Elixir with caution. Do not drive or perform other possibly unsafe tasks until you know how you react to it.


• Tell your doctor or dentist that you take Digoxin Elixir before you receive any medical or dental care, emergency care, or surgery.


• Digoxin Elixir may interfere with certain lab tests, including an electrocardiogram (ECG). Be sure your doctor and lab personnel know you are using Digoxin Elixir.


• Lab tests, including ECG, electrolytes, kidney function, and blood digoxin levels, may be performed while you use Digoxin Elixir. These tests may be used to monitor your condition or check for side effects. Be sure to keep all doctor and lab appointments.


• Use Digoxin Elixir with caution in the ELDERLY; they may be more sensitive to its effects.


• Use Digoxin Elixir with extreme caution in NEWBORN INFANTS, especially those who are premature or immature; they may be more sensitive to its effects.


• Poisoning may occur in children who accidently swallow Digoxin Elixir or receive too much medicine. In case of an overdose, call a doctor or poison control center right away.


• PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: If you become pregnant, contact your doctor. You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of using Digoxin Elixir while you are pregnant. Digoxin Elixir is found in breast milk. If you are or will be breast-feeding while you are taking Digoxin Elixir, check with your doctor. Discuss any possible risks to your baby.

Possible side effects of Digoxin Elixir:

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:

Diarrhea; nausea.

Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur:

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); blurred vision, yellow vision, or other vision changes; confusion; fast, slow, or irregular heartbeat; hallucinations; mood or mental changes (eg, depression); severe or persistent nausea, vomiting, or stomach pain; unusual bruising or bleeding; unusual tiredness or weakness.

This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your health care provider. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. To report side effects to the appropriate agency, please read the Guide to Reporting Problems to FDA.

If OVERDOSE is suspected:

Contact 1-800-222-1222 (the American Association of Poison Control Centers), your local poison control center, or emergency room immediately. Symptoms may include very fast, very slow, or irregular heartbeat.

Proper storage of Digoxin Elixir:

Store Digoxin Elixir at 77 degrees F (25 degrees C). Brief storage at temperatures between 59 and 86 degrees F (15 and 30 degrees C) is permitted. Store away from heat, moisture, and light. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep Digoxin Elixir out of the reach of children and away from pets.

General information:

• If you have any questions about Digoxin Elixir, please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.


• Digoxin Elixir is to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people.


• If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor.


• Check with your pharmacist about how to dispose of unused medicine.

This information is a summary only. It does not contain all information about Digoxin Elixir. If you have questions about the medicine you are taking or would like more information, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.

Issue Date: February 1, 2012

Database Edition 12.1.1.002

Copyright © 2012 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc.

More Digoxin resources

• Digoxin Use in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
• Drug Images
• Digoxin Drug Interactions
• Digoxin Support Group
• 6 Reviews for Digoxin - Add your own review/rating

Compare Digoxin with other medications

• Atrial Fibrillation
• Heart Failure