Drug Uses

Lanoxin is used to treat purified cardiac glycoside. It might also be used by your doctor in other heart problems as he deems fit.

Usage

Following the dosage instructions of your doctor is the best way to use any medication. If you are unsure or do not remember the instructions then you may read the medicine label for more detailed information.

You may choose to take Lanoxin with a meal to avoid an upset stomach or without one.

Missed Dose

Despite your best attempts at remembering, if you still miss out on a dose, then take it as soon as you remember about it. But keep in mind that you will have to adjust your next dose by spacing it out by 4 to 5 hours. If this is not possible, then the best thing to do would be to skip the missed dose and continue with your normal dosage schedule.

Never try to compensate for the missed dose by taking a double dose together. It may cause adverse effects.

Storage

Store Lanoxin at room temperature (read medicine label if unsure). Always keep it in a cool dark place that is not directly exposed to sources of heat or moisture and sunlight. Protect it from kids and pets.

Overdose

An overdose of Lanoxin may have adverse effects that require immediate medical attention. Contact the nearest emergency poison control center immediately if you notice effects like abdominal pain, diarrhea, irregular heartbeat, loss of appetite and nausea.

Warning/Precautions

Doctors advise against using Lanoxin if you are allergic to any ingredient in it or other digitalis medicines or if you have conditions like Beriberi heart disease; certain types of heart rhythm problems, such as ventricular fibrillation.

Lanoxin may increase the risk of getting dizziness or drowsiness. This risk greatly increases if you combine it with alcoholic beverages. So please avoid them while using Lanoxin. Also, avoid undertaking any tasks which require mental alertness (driving, handling heavy machinery etc).

Doctors may prescribe certain laboratory tests like electrocardiogram (ECG), electrolytes, and blood digoxin levels to determine how you have responded to treatment and to gauge the severity of the side effects of Lanoxin. Please Keep all lab appointments and do not miss any tests.

Please inform your lab technician or surgeon that you are taking Lanoxin before you undergo any emergency surgical procedure including dental operations.

The use of Lanoxin in elderly is to be done with great caution as they are more vulnerable to its side effects.


Pregnancy Info

If you are expecting a child or are planning to have a child in the near future, then consult your doctor before using Lanoxin to discuss any possible threats to the unborn baby.

If you are a nursing mother and breast feed your baby, then too, seek consultation before using Lanoxin as it is excreted in the breast milk and may enter the baby.

Side Effects

Most medications have some kind of side effects associated with them. The commonest of these side effects are temporary and mild and fade away without any special attention.

These include diarrhea; fast, slow, or irregular heartbeat; loss of appetite; nausea; vomiting; weakness.

However, in some cases, these mild side effects may persist or become bothersome. In such cases, seek medical attention.

Also, in some rare cases, it may lead to severe side effects like severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); heart disturbances.

Seek medical attention if you notice any of these side effects.

Side effects that are not listed here may also occur.