MASSACHUSETTS GENERAL HOSPITAL
Department of Pharmacy
Department of Nursing
Critical Care
| Generic Name: | Digoxin |
| Trade Name: | Lanoxin |
| Action: | Positive Inotrope Negative Chronotrope |
| Indications: | Atrial Fibrillation Paroxysmal SVT Heart Failure |
| Administration Guidelines: | |
| Usual Dosage Range and Route: | FOR DIGITALIZATION: 1 MG (Give 0.25
mg IV q.6 H times 4 doses). One dose of 0.5 mg may be given as the first dose. MAINTENANCE: 0.125 mg - 0.25 mg once or twice daily as titrated to patient response and/or serum level. |
| Special Considerations: | - Serum potasssium concentration should be
known prior to administration of digoxin - Hypokalemia and hypercalcemia may potentiate digoxin toxicity. - Action to slow av nodal conduction may be potentiated by quinidine, beta blockers, phenytoin, and verapamil - Serum digoxin levels may be increased by quinidine, verapamil, and amiodarone concomitant administration may require decreasing digoxin dose by 50%. |
| Precautions and Side Effects: | - ST depression or prolonged PR interval - Heart Block - Visual Disturbances - Confusion - Ventricular Ectopy - Gastrointestinal Disturbances - Regularization of atrial fibrillation, accelerated junctional rhythm |
Rev: 9/00