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| Pronunciation |
|
 (di
ji TOKS
in) |
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| Brand Names |
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| Crystodigin® |
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| Foreign Brand
Names |
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| Digitaline®
(Canada) |
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| Therapeutic
Categories |
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Antiarrhythmic Agent, Class IV |
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| Reasons not to take this
medicine |
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- 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.
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| What is this medicine used
for? |
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|
- 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).
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| How does it work? |
|
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- 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.
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| How is it best taken? |
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- 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.
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| What do I do if I miss a
dose? |
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- 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.
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| 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.
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| 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.
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| What should I monitor? |
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- 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.
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| 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.
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| How should I store this
medicine? |
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- Store in a tight, light-resistant container at room
temperature.
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| General statements |
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- 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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