Digoxin
Digoxin Information

About Digoxin

Medicinal plants containing cardiac glycosides were known to the ancient Egyptians 3000 years ago, but these agents were used randomly and with variable success until the 18th century, when William Withering an English physician and botanist, published a monograph describing the clinical effects of an extract of the foxglove plant i.e., Digitalis purpurea in 1785, described in detail the indication for use of cardiacglycoside. Digoxin is considered as a prototype cardiac glycoside, combine a steroid nucleus with an unsaturated five membered lactone ring at the 17th position and a series of sugar linked to carbon 3 of nucleus, containing 3 molecules of digitxose linked to digitoxigenin. Digoxin is obtained from the leaves of Digitalis lanata. It makes the heart function more efficient. It increases the force of contraction of heart and slows heart rate, used to treat congestive heart failure, to control ventricular rate in the treatment of supraventricular dysrhythmias including atrial fibrillation and flutter, and to treat paroxysmal atrial tachycardia. Digoxin - specific antibody fragments are used FOR the treatment of known or strongly suspected, life - threatening digoxin or digitoxin overdosage, where measures beyond the discontinuation of digoxin or digitoxin and correction of electrolyte abnormality are felt to be necessary.

Indications

Digoxin is primarily indicated in conditions like Acute left ventricular failure, Atrial fibrillation, Atrial flutter, Chronic left ventricular failure, Congestive heart failure, Heart failure, Ischaemic heart disease, Supraventricular arrhythmias (particularly atrial fibrillation), Supraventricular tachycardia.

Contraindication

Digoxin is contraindicated in conditions like Heart block,Obstructive cardiomyopathy,Wolf-parkinson-white syndrome,Congestive cardiomyopathies,Constrictive pericarditis,Chronic cor pulmonale,Aortic valve disease,Acute myocarditis.

Side Effects

The severe or irreversible adverse effects of Digoxin, which give rise to further complications include Ventricular tachycardia, Ventricular fibrillation, Supraventricular extra beats, Heart block, Rhodopsia, Cyanopsia, Castanopsia, Melanopsin, Increased FSH (follicular stimulating hormone), Increased estrogen, Decreased LH, Decreased testosterone, Color vision disturbance.Digoxin produces potentially life-threatening effects which include Cardiac arrhythmias, Heart block. which are responsible for the discontinuation of Digoxin therapy.The signs and symptoms that are produced after the acute overdosage of Digoxin include Ventricular arrhythmias, Heart block, Hyperkalemia.The symptomatic adverse reactions produced by Digoxin are more or less tolerable and if they become severe, they can be treated symptomatically, these include Dizziness, Drowsiness, Nausea, Vomiting, Anorexia, Restlessness, Nervousness, Thrombocytopenia, Gynecomastia, ECG changes, Potassium depletion, Agitation, PR interval prolongation, nervousness, Nervousness, dizziness, Skin lesion.

Warnings

Digoxin should be used with caution in patients with any allergy, especially drug allergies, heart, lung or kidney diseases, high blood pressure, hypothyroidism or low potassium levels. Limit alcohol intake (e.g.certain liquid medications containing alcohol) since the side effects of this medication may be increased by alcohol. This medication should be used only when clearly needed during pregnancy or lactation. Caution is advised when this drug is used in the elderly.

High Risk Groups

Drug should not be given to patients suffering from Kidney dysfunction.If prescribing authority justifies the benefits of the drug against the possible damages he/she should reevaluate them and consult the reference material and previous studies.