|
| Pronunciation |
|
 (di
ji TOKS
in) |
|
|
| Brand Names |
|
| Crystodigin® |
|
|
| Foreign Brand
Names |
|
| Digitaline®
(Canada) |
|
|
| Therapeutic
Categories |
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|
Antiarrhythmic Agent, Class IV |
|
|
| Reasons not to take this
medicine |
|
|
- If you have an allergy to digitoxin or any other part of the medicine.
- If you have any of the following conditions: Too much digitalis in
your body, beriberi heart disease, a blockage in the electric system of the
heart without a pacemaker to correct the problem, idiopathic hypertrophic
subaortic stenosis, constrictive pericarditis, ventricular fibrillation,
ventricular tachycardia.
|
|
|
| What is this medicine used
for? |
|
|
- This medicine treats weakened hearts (congestive heart failure) by
strengthening pumping action. It is also used to slow the heart rate (pulse) in
a patient whose heart is racing in a certain way (atrial
fibrillation/flutter).
|
|
|
| How does it work? |
|
|
- Digitoxin strengthens the heart by increasing calcium inside the cells
of the heart. The heart can pump stronger and more effectively as a result. It
decreases the number of electrical impulses that drive heart rate (pulse) and
this slows the speed down.
|
|
|
| How is it best taken? |
|
|
- Take separately from high bran fiber, otherwise, take with or without
food. Take with food if this medicine causes an upset stomach.
- Take at a similar time every day.
- Swallow tablet whole.
- Do not take antacids, dietary bran fiber, sucralfate, cholestyramine,
colestipol, or kaolin-pectin within 4-6 hours of this
medicine.
|
|
|
| What do I do if I miss a
dose? |
|
|
- Take a missed dose as soon as possible.
- If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed one. Return to
your regular schedule.
- Do not take a double dose or extra
doses.
|
|
|
| What are the precautions when
taking this
medicine? |
|
|
- Check medicines with healthcare provider, particularly if you are
taking amiodarone, verapamil, or quinidine.
- Wear disease medical alert identification for heart disease.
- If you are 65 or older, you may have more side effects.
- Tell healthcare provider if you are allergic to any medicine. Make
sure to tell about the allergy and how it affected you. This includes telling
about rash; hives; itching; shortness of breath; wheezing; cough; swelling of
face, lips, tongue, throat; or any other symptoms involved.
- Tell healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan on getting
pregnant.
- Tell healthcare provider if you are
breast-feeding.
|
|
|
| What are the common side effects
of this
medicine? |
|
|
- Confusion, especially in the elderly and patients with kidney disease.
- Anorexia, belly pain, and cramps.
- Nausea or vomiting. Small frequent meals, frequent mouth care, sucking
hard candy, or chewing gum may help.
- Diarrhea.
|
|
|
| What should I monitor? |
|
|
- Check heart rate (pulse). Can be taken daily before taking the
medicine. Ask healthcare provider to teach you to take pulse.
- Check digitoxin serum concentrations. Easiest to have blood drawn in
the morning before daily dose (just take dose after blood drawn). Talk with
healthcare provider.
- Check blood work (potassium). Talk with healthcare provider if you are
taking a water pill.
- Watch for swelling of legs or belly, shortness of breath, weight gain,
exercise tolerance. If any of these worsen, talk with healthcare provider.
- Report a 3-5 pound weight gain if you have heart failure.
- Follow diet plan (low sodium if heart failure patient) as recommended.
Talk with healthcare provider.
|
|
|
| Reasons to call healthcare
provider
immediately |
|
|
- Signs of a life-threatening reaction. These include wheezing;
tightness in the chest; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; fits;
swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat.
- Changes in thinking clearly and logically.
- Too tired or sleepy.
- Passing out, fainting, dizziness, or lightheadedness.
- Severe nausea, vomiting, and/or diarrhea.
- Any rash.
- No improvement in condition or feeling
worse.
|
|
|
| How should I store this
medicine? |
|
|
- Store in a tight, light-resistant container at room
temperature.
|
|
|
| General statements |
|
|
- Do not share your medicine with others and do not take anyone else's
medicine.
- Keep all medicine out of the reach of children and pets.
- Keep a list of all your medicines (prescription, herbal/supplements,
vitamins, over-the-counter) with you. Give this list to healthcare provider
(doctor, nurse, pharmacist, physician assistant).
- Talk with healthcare provider before starting any new medicine,
including over-the-counter or natural products (herbs,
vitamins).
|
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Copyright © 1978-2001 Lexi-Comp Inc. All Rights Reserved
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The publisher does not accept any responsibility for the accuracy of the information or the consequences arising from the application, use, or misuse of any of the information contained herein, including any injury and/or damage to any person or property as a matter of product liability, negligence, or otherwise. No warranty, expressed or implied, is made in regard to the contents of this material. No claims or endorsements are made for any drugs or compounds currently marketed or in investigative use. This material is not intended as a guide to self-medication. The reader is advised to discuss the information provided here with a doctor, pharmacist, nurse, or other authorized healthcare practitioner and to check product information (including package inserts) regarding dosage, precautions, warnings, interactions, and contraindications before administering any drug, herb, or supplement discussed herein.
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