Lanoxin for Weakened Heart - Drug Information

Generic Name - Digoxin

Category - Antiarrhythmic drug

Indications

Weakened Heart
Lanoxin is a cardiac glycoside that can help a weakened heart to function properly. Digoxin (Lanoxin) increases the strength of the heart muscle, helps to maintain a normal heart rhythm, and helps to remove excess water from the body. Lanoxin can relieve symptoms of congestive heart failure, a condition that reduces the ability of the heart to pump enough blood through the body. These symptoms include swelling of the feet and legs, difficulty breathing, and extreme tiredness or weakness.

Lanoxin Contraindications and Drug Interactions

Lanoxin is contraindicated in patients, who are hypersensitive to this drug, medications that belong to this class of drugs or had an allergic reaction to it in the past.
Lanoxin should not be taken by patients who have a history of the following ailment conditions.

Kidney disease
Thyroid disease or
Taking any other heart medication.

There are a number of medications that interact with Lanoxin. It is important to take the doctor's counsel if you are taking any of the following.

Calcium channel blockers
Beta-blockers
Cancer Chemotherapy
Diuretics

Lanoxin Dosage

The following information just highlights the general average dosage of Lanoxin,
The usual recommended dosage of Lanoxin for heart failure will be
0.125 milligram or 0.25 milligram tablet once daily, but individual requirements vary widely. The exact dose will be determined by the doctor based on several factors like the disease being treated, the body weight, the kidney function and age.

Lanoxin Adverse Effects

Some of the most serious Lanoxin side Effects include anxiousness or nervousness, changes in color vision (more yellow color), blurred vision, eyes sensitive to light, light flashes, or halos around bright lights, changes in behavior, mood, or mental ability,confusion, diarrhea, or constipation, dizziness or drowsiness, fainting spells and fast heartbeat.

This is not a complete list of all Side effects. Do concur with your doctor and follow his directions completely when you are taking Lanoxin.

Lanoxin and Pregnancy

Studies do not indicate whether Lanoxin will be harmful to an unborn baby. Do not take this medication without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant or could become pregnant during treatment.

Lanoxin and Breastfeeding

Lanoxin passes into breast milk and may harm a nursing infant. Do not take this medication without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

Lanoxin and Pediatric

The safety and effectiveness of Lanoxin in pediatric patients have not been established.

Lanoxin and Geriatric

If you are over 65 years of age, you may be more likely to experience side effects from Lanoxin. You may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring.

Note

The above information about Lanoxin serves as an information resource only and is not intended to substitute professional medical advice, examination, diagnosis and treatment. Always seek the counsel of your doctor, physician or pharmacist before starting any new treatment or making changes to existing therapy.