DIGITALIS PREPARATIONS |
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DIGITALIS PREPARATIONS
BRAND & GENERIC NAMES
Crystodigin
Crystogin
Digifortis
Digiglusin
DIGITALIS
DIGITOXIN
DIGOXIN
Gitaligen
GITALIN
Lanoxicaps
Lanoxin
Natigozine
Novodigoxin
Purodigin
BASIC INFORMATION
Habit forming? No
Prescription needed? Yes
Available as generic? Yes
Drug class: Digitalis preparations
USES
Strengthens weak heart-muscle contractions to prevent
congestive heart failure.
Corrects irregular heartbeat.
DOSAGE & USAGE INFORMATION
How to take:
Tablet or capsule--Swallow with liquid. If you can't swallow
whole, crumble tablet or open capsule and take with liquid or
food.
Liquid--Dilute dose in beverage before swallowing.
When to take:
At the same time each day.
If you forget a dose:
Take as soon as you remember up to 12 hours late. If more than
12 hours, wait for next scheduled dose (don't double this dose).
What drug does:
Strengthens heart-muscle contraction.
Delays nerve impulses to heart.
Time lapse before drug works:
May require regular use for a week or more.
Don't take with:
Any other medicines, even over-the-counter drugs such as cough
and cold medicines, nose drops, diet pills, laxatives or
caffeine, without consulting your doctor.
OVERDOSE
SYMPTOMS:
Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, vision disturbances, halos around
lights, fatigue, irregular heartbeat, confusion, hallucinations,
convulsions.
WHAT TO DO:
Dial 0 (operator) or 911 (emergency) for an ambulance or
medical help. Then give first aid immediately.
See EMERGENCY INFORMATION.
POSSIBLE ADVERSE REACTIONS OR SIDE EFFECTS
SYMPTOMS WHAT TO DO
Life-threatening:
None expected.
Common:
Appetite loss, Continue. Call doctor
diarrhea. when convenient.
Infrequent:
Drowsiness, lethargy, Discontinue. Call
disorientation. doctor right away.
Rare:
Rash, hives, cardiac Discontinue. Call
arrhythmias, depression, doctor right away.
hallucinations,
psychosis.
Double or yellow- Continue. Call doctor
green vision; when convenient.
enlarged, sensitive
male breasts; tiredness;
weakness.
WARNINGS & PRECAUTIONS
Don't take if:
You are allergic to any digitalis preparation.
Your heartbeat is slower than 50 beats per minute.
Before you start, consult your doctor:
If you have taken another digitalis preparation in past 2
weeks.
If you have taken a diuretic within 2 weeks.
If you have liver or kidney disease.
If you have a thyroid disorder.
If you will have surgery within 2 months, including dental
surgery, requiring general or spinal anesthesia.
Pregnancy:
Studies inconclusive on harm to unborn child. Consult your
doctor.
Infants & children:
Use only under medical supervision.
Prolonged use:
No age-related problems expected.
Skin & sunlight:
No age-related problems expected.
Driving or hazardous activities:
Possible vision disturbances. Otherwise, no problems expected.
Discontinuing:
Don't stop without doctor's advice.
Others:
Some digitalis products contain tartrazine dye.
Avoid, especially if you are allergic to aspirin.
POSSIBLE INTERACTION WITH OTHER DRUGS
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| Amiodarone |
Increased digitalis effect. |
| Amphotericin B |
Decreased potassium. Increased |
| |
toxicity of amphotericin B. |
| Antacids |
Decreased digitalis effect. |
| Anticonvulsants |
Increased digitalis |
| (hydantoin, see |
effect at first, then decreased. |
| Drugs Glossary) |
| Anticholinergics |
Possible increased |
| (see Drugs Glossary) |
digitalis effect. |
| Beta-adrenergic |
Increased digitalis |
| blockers (see |
effect. |
| Drugs Glossary) |
| Beta-agonists |
Increased risk of |
| (see Drugs Glossary) |
heartbeat irregularity. |
| Calcium supplements |
Decreased digitalis effects. |
| Cholestyramine |
Decreased digitalis effect. |
| Colestipol |
Decreased digitalis effect. |
| Cortisone drugs |
Digitalis toxicity. |
| Disopyramide |
Possible decreased digitalis |
| |
effect. |
| Diuretics |
Possible digitalis |
| (see Drugs Glossary) |
toxicity. Excessive potassium loss |
| |
that may cause irregular heartbeat. |
| Ephedrine |
Disturbed heart rhythm. Avoid. |
| Epinephrine |
Disturbed heart rhythm. Avoid. |
| Erythromycin |
May increase digitalis absorption. |
| Flecainide |
May increase digitalis blood level. |
| Fluoxetine |
May cause confusion, agitation, |
| |
convulsions and high blood |
| |
pressure. Avoid combining. |
| Hydroxychloroquine |
Possible increased digitalis |
| |
toxicity. |
| Laxatives |
Decreased digitalis effect. |
| Metoclopramide |
Decreased digitalis absorption. |
| Oxyphenbutazone |
Decreased digitalis effect. |
| Phenobarbital |
Decreased digitalis effect. |
| Phenylbutazone |
Decreased digitalis effect. |
| Potassium supplements |
Overdosage of either drug may cause |
| |
severe heartbeat irregularity. |
| PTU/Metronidazole |
Decreased digitalis effect. |
| Quinidine |
Increased digitalis effect. |
| Rauwolfia alkaloids |
Increased digitalis |
| (see Drugs Glossary) |
effect. |
| Rifampin |
Possible decreased digitalis |
| |
effect. |
| Sulfasalazine |
Decreased digitalis absorption. |
| Tetracycline |
May increase digitalis absorption. |
| Thyroid hormones |
Digitalis toxicity. |
| Trazodone |
Possible increased digitalis |
| |
toxicity. |
| Triamterene |
Possible decreased digitalis |
| |
effect. |
| Verapamil |
Increased digitalis effect. |
POSSIBLE INTERACTION WITH OTHER SUBSTANCES
| Marijuana: |
Decreased digitalis effect. |
| Tobacco: |
Irregular heartbeat. |
| Avoid. |
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