Digitoxin is used to treat heart problems such as heart failure, atrial fibrillation and paroxysmal atrial tachycardia.
What is Digitoxin?
Digitoxin increases the force with which the heart works by increasing the strength of its contractions and reducing its rate.
How should Digitoxin be taken?
Digitoxin can be administered orally, intramuscularly or intravenously via injection.
Side effects associated with Digitoxin
Among the most severe side effects that may be associated with taking digitoxin include thrombocytopenia, allergic reactions, ventricular tachycardia, ventricular fibrillation, bradycardia, arrhythmias and heart block.
Among the other possible side effects of Digitoxin include the following:
- Dizziness
- Drowsiness
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Anorexia
- Restlessness
- Nervousness
- Confusion
- Gastrointestinal problems
- Agitation
- Amnesia
- Delirium
- PR interval prolongation
Contraindications and warnings associated with the use of Digitoxin
High-fiber foods can reduce the absorption of digitoxin.
Before starting treatment with Digitoxin, it is important to tell your doctor if:
- You have any allergies to the active substance, its excipients or any other drugs or food
- You are taking any other medications, herbal remedies or supplements. Mentioning in particular: aminoglutethimide, brimonidine tartrate, calcium supplements, carbenoxolone, certoparin, activated charcoal, cholestyramine, esmolol, fluoxetine, isoniazid, itopride, methacycline, metipranolol, metoclopramide, phenobarbital, phenytoin, propranolol, reserpine, rhubarb, rifampicin, spironolactone, verapimil and voriconazole
- You are suffering (or have suffered) from kidney or liver disease, lung or thyroid disease, rheumatic fever, heart block, obstructive cardiomyopathy, Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome, myocarditis, congestive cardiomyopathy, constrictive pericarditis, and aortic valve problems
- You are pregnant or breastfeeding
It is also important to inform physicians, surgeons and dentists of any ongoing treatment with digitoxin.
