LANOXIN
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IMPORTANT NOTE:
THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION IS INTENDED TO SUPPLEMENT, NOT SUBSTITUTE
FOR, THE EXPERTISE AND JUDGMENT OF YOUR PHYSICIAN, PHARMACIST OR
OTHER HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONAL. IT SHOULD NOT BE CONSTRUED TO
INDICATE THAT USE OF THE DRUG IS SAFE, APPROPRIATE, OR EFFECTIVE FOR
YOU. CONSULT YOUR HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONAL BEFORE USING LANOXIN.
DIGITALIS MEDICINE - ORAL (didge-ih-TAL-iss)
COMMON BRAND NAME(S):
Crystodigin, Lanoxicaps, Lanoxin
USES:
Digitalis medication works directly on the heart muscle to
strengthen and regulate the heartbeat. It is used to treat certain
heart conditions.
HOW TO TAKE LANOXIN:
Take LANOXIN exactly as prescribed. Try to take it at the same
time(s) each day. May be taken with food or milk to avoid stomach
irritation. Do not stop taking LANOXIN without consulting your
doctor. Some conditions may become worse when the drug is suddenly
stopped.
SIDE EFFECTS:
Diarrhea, loss of appetite, drowsiness, headache, muscle weakness,
and fatigue may occur as your body adjusts to the medication. Inform
your doctor if you develop:
confusion, visual disturbances (blurred vision or yellow/green halos
around objects), rapid heart rate, slow pulse rate, skin rash,
breast enlargement, severe stomach upset. If you notice other
effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.
PRECAUTIONS:
Tell your doctor if you have a history of: liver or kidney disease,
lung disease, thyroid problems, rheumatic fever. Food high in fiber
may decrease the absorption of digoxin. Be sure to take digoxin a
few hours before or after eating something high in fiber (such as
bran). Difficulty breathing and swelling in your lower legs and
ankles may be signs that your dose is too low. If normal activity
causes shortness of breath or if you awaken frequently during the
night due to shortness of breath, tell your doctor. Do not change
your dose without consulting your doctor. Before having surgery,
including dental surgery, tell the doctor that you take digoxin.
LANOXIN should be used only when clearly needed during pregnancy.
Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor. Digoxin is excreted
into breast milk. Though, to date, no problems have been noted in
nursing infants, consult your doctor before breast-feeding.
DRUG INTERACTIONS:
Tell your doctor of all prescription and nonprescription
medication you may use, especially:
amphotericin, diuretics ("water pills"), corticosteroids
(e.g., prednisone), amiodarone, neomycin, quinidine, cyclosporine,
verapamil, quinine, thyroid medication, propafenone, sucralfate,
erythromycin-like drugs, rifampin, bepridil, penicillamine, drugs
used for cancer, tetracycline, dextrothyroxine, St John's wort.
Cholestyramine, colestipol or psyllium (Metamucil) should be taken
at least 2 hours after digoxin to prevent interference. If you are
taking aminosalicylic acid (PAS), antacids, kaolin-pectin, milk of
magnesia or sulfasalazine, take it as far apart as possible from
digoxin. Do not start or stop any medicine without doctor or
pharmacist approval.
OVERDOSE:
If overdose is suspected, contact your local poison control center
or emergency room immediately. Symptoms of overdose may include
changes in vision, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea,
dizziness, weakness, and irregular heartbeat.
NOTES:
There are different brands of LANOXIN available. Not all are
identical in action. Do not change brands without consulting your
doctor or pharmacist. Your doctor may want you to monitor your pulse
rate every day while you take LANOXIN. Discuss with your doctor what
your pulse rate means. To evaluate the effectiveness of LANOXIN,
your doctor may periodically take a blood sample to measure the
amount of the drug in your body. Do not allow anyone else to take
your medication.
MISSED DOSE:
If you miss a dose, take as soon as remembered if you remember
within 12 hours. If you remember after 12 hours have passed, skip
the missed dose and resume your usual dosing schedule. Do not
"double-up" the dose to catch up. Call your doctor if you
miss more than 2 doses in a row.
STORAGE:
Store at room temperature between 59 and 86 degrees F (between 15
and 30 degrees C) away from moisture and sunlight. Do not store in
the bathroom. Do not freeze liquid forms of this medication.
Your condition can cause complications in a medical emergency. For
information on enrollment call Medic Alert(TM) at 1-800-854-1166. In
Canada call 1-800-668-1507.
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