The Uses of LanoxinDigoxin is primarily used to treat congestive heart failure by making the heart beat stronger and more regularly. It is also used to regulate conditions of irregular heart rate, or arrhythmia, and to slow the heart rate down in patients who suffer from atrial fibrillation. This increased pumping power of the heart does have its side effects, especially in older patients, so that it is important to consult with your physician on the effects of Lanoxin before you use it.

Lanoxin Side-effectsThere is a fairly long list of side-effects of any of the Digoxin brands. Over dosage can cause toxicity which can result in: the loss of your appetite, nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, personality changes, depression, confusion, disorientation, blurred or disturbed color vision, headaches, drowsiness, apathy, bad dreams, hallucinations, and muscle weakness. Any symptoms or signs that arise after you start taking Lanoxin need to be reported to your physician immediately.

Lanoxin DosageDigoxin may be taken with or without food. Because it is mostly eliminated by the kidneys, patients with kidney problems may require a lower dosage. Digoxin is a toxin. At therapeutic levels, it can treat heart conditions. However, those levels are perilously close to what would be considered an overdose, especially in older patients. Pregnant women are also cautioned to avoid using the drug, especially if breast feeding, because it carries through her blood and into the milk which may harm the baby.

Lanoxin Compatibility Digoxin is compatible with quite a few counter and prescription drugs but it is essential when taking any medication to not only consult with your physician on its use, but also inform him of all the dietary supplements and medications that you are taking. Herbal supplements may include Ma-Huang which you would never normally consider telling your doctor about. However, when it combines with Lanoxin, it could cause a serious disruption in the beat of your heart.

Lanoxin does not interact well with antacids. The ability of your body to adsorb Digoxin is affected by antacids whereas blood pressure medicines like Procardia can increase the levels of Lanoxin in your blood to dangerously high even toxic levels. Diuretics are often prescribed to be taken at the same side as Lanoxin. However, because they influence potassium and magnesium levels, you could experience serious fluxuations in your heart rates.

You must also be careful of any antibiotics that you take like erythromycin and tetracycline. You may be one in ten of the people that have an intestinal bacterium that metabolizes Lanoxin. If you take an antibiotic that will destroy it, you could all of a sudden experience much greater levels of Lanoxin even though you are still taking the same dose.