Lanoxin (Digoxin) Side Effects in Pakistan

A complete guide to Lanoxin (Digoxin) side effects. This is a narrow therapeutic index medicine — recognising side effects is very important because some are warning signs of digoxin toxicity, which can become a medical emergency. The complete guide is below.

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

Side Effects

Quick Answer

Common side effects of Lanoxin (Digoxin) include nausea, vomiting, bradycardia, and fatigue. Serious effects — xanthopsia (yellow/green visual halos), severe bradycardia, or irregular heartbeat — are signs of digoxin toxicity, a medical emergency. Stop medicine and go to hospital immediately if any toxicity sign appears.

Side Effects at a Glance

Common

Nausea and vomiting (often early signs of toxicity — tell your doctor)
Diarrhea
Bradycardia (slow heart rate below 60 bpm)
Fatigue and weakness
Headache and dizziness

Serious — See a Doctor

Digoxin toxicity — life-threatening arrhythmias (ventricular tachycardia, ventricular fibrillation, complete AV block)
Xanthopsia — yellow/green visual halos around lights (CLASSIC toxicity sign — STOP MEDICINE + EMERGENCY)
Severe bradycardia and complete heart block — can be fatal
Ventricular arrhythmias — especially when hypokalemia is present

When to See a Doctor Immediately

Yellow or green halos around lights (xanthopsia) — DIGOXIN TOXICITY — GO TO HOSPITAL EMERGENCY IMMEDIATELY
Nausea and vomiting that is new or worsening — may be early toxicity sign — inform doctor same day
Pulse below 60/min (very slow heartbeat) or irregular heartbeat — stop medicine + emergency
Fainting or near-fainting — emergency
Severe weakness, confusion, or sudden visual changes
Any unusual heart palpitations or irregular rhythm

Lanoxin (Digoxin) Side Effects

Lanoxin (Digoxin) is generally effective at the correct dose, but it is a narrow therapeutic index medicine — even a slightly higher dose can cause toxicity. Recognising side effects is very important.

CRITICAL: Nausea and vomiting — which may seem ordinary — are often early warning signs of digoxin toxicity. Inform your doctor immediately.

Common Side Effects

Nausea and vomiting
Diarrhea
Bradycardia (pulse below 60 bpm)
Fatigue and weakness
Headache and dizziness

These side effects are generally mild. However, with Digoxin these may also be EARLY SIGNS OF TOXICITY — always inform your doctor; do not dismiss them yourself.

Serious Side Effects

Digoxin toxicity — life-threatening arrhythmias (ventricular tachycardia, complete AV block) — go to hospital immediately
Xanthopsia — yellow/green halos around lights — CLASSIC TOXICITY SIGN — discontinue medicine IMMEDIATELY + hospital
Severe bradycardia and complete heart block — can be fatal — go to hospital immediately
Ventricular arrhythmias — especially when potassium (K+) is low — go to hospital immediately

When to See a Doctor

Yellow or green halos around lights (xanthopsia) — HOSPITAL EMERGENCY IMMEDIATELY — this is digoxin toxicity
Nausea/vomiting that is new or worsening — inform your doctor the same day
Pulse below 60/min or irregular heartbeat — discontinue medicine + emergency
Fainting or near-fainting — emergency
Severe weakness, confusion, or sudden visual changes
Any unusual palpitations or rhythm change

Warnings and Precautions

Do not take if allergic to Digoxin
Have potassium (K+) levels checked regularly — hypokalaemia dramatically increases toxicity
Extra monitoring is required when used with diuretics (furosemide, thiazides)
Risk of dose accumulation is higher in renal impairment

Side Effects Summary Table

Type	Side Effect	Action
Common	Nausea, vomiting	Inform doctor immediately — may be a toxicity sign
Common	Bradycardia (slow pulse)	Monitor — if below 60, see a doctor immediately
Common	Fatigue, weakness	Inform doctor
Serious	Xanthopsia (yellow/green vision)	Discontinue medicine + IMMEDIATE HOSPITAL
Serious	Life-threatening arrhythmias	IMMEDIATE HOSPITAL EMERGENCY
Serious	Severe bradycardia / heart block	IMMEDIATE HOSPITAL EMERGENCY

Reporting Side Effects

If you notice any unexpected side effect, report it on the DRAP pharmacovigilance portal: https://www.dra.gov.pk/pharmacovigilance

The information in this guide is for educational purposes only. If you notice any side effect, contact your doctor or pharmacist.

Frequently Asked Questions

Digoxin ke sabse common side effects kya hain?

Common side effects of Lanoxin (Digoxin) include nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, bradycardia (slow heartbeat), and fatigue. These side effects are often early signs of digoxin toxicity — inform your doctor immediately.

Digoxin toxicity ke signs kya hain?

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

Xanthopsia kya hai aur yeh kyon hota hai?

In xanthopsia, yellow or green rings are seen around lights. This is a classic sign of digoxin toxicity — it means the digoxin level in the blood has become unsafe. Discontinue the medicine immediately and go to hospital.

Kya Digoxin liver ya kidney ko affect karta hai?

Digoxin is mainly eliminated by the kidneys — it can accumulate in kidney disease, increasing the risk of toxicity. The liver is not a direct site of toxicity, but electrolyte imbalance can cause indirect toxicity. Regular renal monitoring is necessary.

Agar Digoxin ke side effects nazar aayein to kya karein?

For mild side effects (nausea, fatigue), inform your doctor immediately — these may be early signs of toxicity. For serious side effects (xanthopsia, severe bradycardia, fainting), discontinue the medicine and go to the hospital emergency department immediately.

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Sources

DRAP Registered Products Database — Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan
WHO Model List of Essential Medicines, 23rd ed. (2023) — World Health Organization
British National Formulary (BNF) — BMJ Group & Pharmaceutical Press

Medical disclaimer

This page is for educational use only and does not replace professional medical advice. Always confirm diagnosis, dose, and interactions with a qualified doctor or pharmacist before starting or changing any medicine.