| Name | Digoxin |
| Classes |
Cardiovascular Agent Antiarrhythmic Agent Inotropic Agent |
| Diseases |
Arrhythmia Cardiovascular Disease Heart Failure |
Bangla
EnglishDigoxin
Digoxin is a cardiac glycoside that increases the force of contraction of the heart muscle, leading to an increase in cardiac output. It works by inhibiting the sodium-potassium ATPase pump in the cell membrane, leading to an increase in intracellular sodium and a decrease in intracellular potassium. This results in increased calcium concentration in the cardiac myocytes, leading to an increase in contractility.
Digoxin is a cardiac glycoside indicated for:
- Treatment of mild to moderate heart failure in adults.
- Increasing myocardial contractility in pediatric patients with heart failure.
- Control of resting ventricular rate in patients with chronic atrial fibrillation in adults.
The dosage of digoxin varies depending on the patient's age, weight, and kidney function. The initial dose for adults with heart failure is usually 0.125 to 0.25 mg once daily, while the initial dose for atrial fibrillation is typically 0.125 mg to 0.25 mg once daily. The dose may be adjusted based on the patient's response and the presence of side effects. Digoxin is usually taken orally, and the tablets should be swallowed whole with a full glass of water.
- Risk of rapid ventricular response leading to ventricular fibrillation in patients with AV accessory pathway.
- Risk of advanced or complete heart block in patients with sinus node disease and AV block.
- Digoxin toxicity: Indicated by nausea, vomiting, visual disturbances, and cardiac arrhythmias. Advanced age, low body weight, impaired renal function and electrolyte abnormalities predispose to toxicity.
- Risk of ventricular arrhythmias during electrical cardioversion.
- Not recommended in patients with acute myocardial infarction.
- Avoid Digoxin in patients with myocarditis.
Contraindication
Known hypersensitivity to digoxin or other forms of digitalis such as digitoxin.
None known.
