Lanoxin Tablet (Digoxin): Uses, Dosage & Side Effects in Pakistan

Lanoxin Tablet (Digoxin) — Uses, Dosage, Side Effects & Price in Pakistan

1. Quick Info (Mukhtasir Maloomat)

2. What is Lanoxin? (Lanoxin kya hai)

Lanoxin (Digoxin) is a prescription cardiac glycoside used to control heart rate in atrial fibrillation and to improve the heart's pumping capacity in heart failure. Manufactured by GSK Pakistan.

It inhibits the sodium/potassium ATPase pump — intracellular calcium increases, producing positive inotropy. It slows conduction through the AV node — used for heart rate control.

CRITICAL WARNING: Digoxin is a narrow therapeutic index (NTI) medicine — the gap between therapeutic and toxic doses is very small. Never self-adjust the dose.

3. Uses (Fayde / Kis kaam aati hai)

• Heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) — adjunct therapy
• Atrial fibrillation (AF) and atrial flutter — rate control
• Atrial tachycardia — rate control

4. Who Should Take (Kis ko leni chahiye)

• Heart failure patients (HFrEF) who remain symptomatic despite ACE inhibitor, beta-blocker, and diuretic therapy
• Patients with atrial fibrillation requiring rate control (especially with heart failure)
• Patients with atrial flutter or atrial tachycardia — under cardiologist supervision

5. When NOT to Take (Kab nahi leni chahiye)

• Known hypersensitivity to digoxin
• Ventricular fibrillation or ventricular tachycardia
• Hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy (HOCM) — generally avoid
• Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome (WPW) — can worsen
• Second- or third-degree AV block (without pacemaker)
• Severe bradycardia (very slow existing heart rate)

6. Dosage (Kitni leni hai)

• As prescribed — initial (loading) dose and maintenance dose are both individually calculated by doctor
• Loading dose may be given over 24 hours in hospital; maintenance is lower

• Maintenance dose as prescribed; based on renal function, age, body weight, serum digoxin level
• Typical adult maintenance: 0.125mg–0.25mg once daily (may be lower in elderly/renal)

• Do NOT exceed the recommended limit — toxicity is life-threatening

• If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If the next dose is close, skip the missed dose. Never take a double dose — a double dose of digoxin is dangerous.

7. How to Take (Kaise leni hai)

• Usually once daily — always at the same time

• Food slightly affects absorption but not significantly — consistency is essential

• Serum digoxin levels, electrolytes (K+, Mg2+), ECG — doctor will check regularly

8. Best Time (Kab leni chahiye)

• Take at the same time every day — consistency is crucial for heart medicine

• Your doctor will specify the exact timing

9. Empty Stomach or After Food (Khali pait ya khane ke baad)

Can be taken either way. However, do not take with antacids — absorption is significantly reduced. Maintain a 2-hour gap between antacids and Digoxin.

10. Warnings (Ihtiyat)

• The gap between therapeutic and toxic dose is very small
• Never self-adjust the dose — this can be life-threatening
• Have serum digoxin levels checked regularly

• Hypokalemia (low K+) dramatically increases digoxin toxicity
• When using digoxin with diuretics (furosemide, thiazides), potassium supplementation or monitoring is essential
• Magnesium should also be monitored

• Digoxin is eliminated by the kidneys — accumulation occurs in renal impairment
• Dose reduction and closer monitoring are essential

11. Precautions (Ahm ehtiyaat)

• Below 25°C, protect from light and moisture
• Keep out of the reach of children — accidental ingestion in children is dangerous

• Clearance is reduced in elderly patients — toxicity risk is higher
• Lower maintenance doses typically needed

12. Side Effects (Nuksanat)

• Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea (GI effects — often early toxicity signs; report to doctor)
• Bradycardia (slow heart rate)
• Fatigue and weakness

• Digoxin toxicity — life-threatening arrhythmias, complete AV block
• Xanthopsia — yellow/green visual halos (classic toxicity sign — STOP MEDICINE + EMERGENCY)
• Severe bradycardia and heart block — can be fatal
• Ventricular arrhythmias (especially with hypokalemia)

13. Drug Interactions (Dawaon ke sath reaction)

• Amiodarone — digoxin levels can increase up to 2x — dose halving often needed (tell your doctor immediately)
• Verapamil / Diltiazem — digoxin levels increase — monitor
• Clarithromycin / Erythromycin — P-gp inhibition — increase digoxin levels
• Quinidine — increase digoxin levels
• Rifampicin — decrease digoxin levels (reduced efficacy)
• Antacids / Cholestyramine / Kaolin-Pectin — reduce digoxin absorption — maintain a 2-hour gap
• Diuretics (Furosemide, Thiazides) — hypokalemia POTENTIATES digoxin toxicity — electrolyte monitoring essential
• Corticosteroids — hypokalemia risk
• NSAIDs — renal toxicity may increase digoxin levels

Digoxin has many drug interactions — always inform your doctor and pharmacist before starting any new medicine.

14. When to See Doctor (Kab doctor ke paas jayein)

• Yellow or green halos around lights (xanthopsia) — DIGOXIN TOXICITY — GO TO HOSPITAL IMMEDIATELY
• Nausea/vomiting that is new or worsening — may be toxicity
• Very slow heart rate (pulse below 60/min) or irregular heartbeat
• Fainting or near-fainting episodes
• Severe weakness, confusion, or visual changes
• Dark or unusual urine (if taking with diuretics)

15. Alternatives (Sasti Dusri Dawaein)

16. Price in Pakistan (Price kitni hai)

17. FAQs (Aksar poochay jane walay sawalat)

Q: Digoxin kis kaam aata hai?

A: Lanoxin (Digoxin) is used to regulate the heart's rhythm — especially for rate control in atrial fibrillation (AF) and to improve the heart's pumping capacity in heart failure. It is a narrow therapeutic index medicine — doctor supervision is essential.

Q: Digoxin ke side effects kya hain?

A: Common side effects include nausea, vomiting, and slow heartbeat. Serious side effects — yellow/green halo vision (xanthopsia), very slow heart rate, or irregular heartbeat — are signs of digoxin toxicity. See a doctor immediately.

Q: Digoxin toxicity ke signs kya hain?

A: Classic signs of digoxin toxicity: yellow or green halos around lights (xanthopsia), nausea/vomiting, very slow heartbeat, irregular heartbeat, and excessive weakness/fatigue. This is a medical emergency — go to hospital immediately.

Q: Digoxin price in Pakistan kya hai?

A: Lanoxin's price could not be verified from online sources. For the latest price, confirm at a local pharmacy or licensed online platform. This is an Rx medicine — do not take without a prescription.

Q: Kya Digoxin renal patients mein safe hai?

A: Digoxin must be used very cautiously in renal impairment — the kidneys eliminate digoxin, so in renal failure the drug can accumulate and the toxicity risk increases substantially. The doctor will reduce the dose and monitor serum levels.

18. Medical Review (Medical jaiza)

Compiled by the PakVita Editorial Team · AI-assisted drafting with editorial review · Sourced from DRAP, WHO, BNF · Last updated: 2026-06-17

19. Disclaimer (Zaroori tanbeeh)

The information on this page is for awareness only. It is not medical advice. Always consult your doctor or pharmacist before taking any medicine. PakVita is not responsible for any harm.