- Body system
- Cardiovascular
- Brand names
- Lanoxin
- Antidote or reversal
- Digoxin immune fab (DigiFab) for life-threatening toxicity.
- Therapeutic level
- Commonly 0.5 to 2 ng/mL; about 0.5 to 0.9 ng/mL in heart failure.
What is Digoxin used for?
- Heart failure with reduced ejection fraction
- Ventricular rate control in atrial fibrillation
How Digoxin works
Inhibits the sodium-potassium pump: increases the force of contraction (positive inotrope) and slows the heart rate and AV conduction (negative chronotrope and dromotrope).
Common side effects
- Nausea and loss of appetite
- Fatigue
- Bradycardia
Report right away
- Signs of toxicity: anorexia, nausea and vomiting, blurred vision or yellow-green halos, confusion, new irregular or slow pulse
Nursing considerations for Digoxin
- Take the apical pulse for a full minute before each dose; hold and notify the prescriber if it is below the ordered parameter (usually 60 in adults; higher limits in infants and children).
- Monitor the digoxin level (commonly 0.5 to 2 ng/mL; lower targets, about 0.5 to 0.9 ng/mL, are often used in heart failure) and the potassium level.
- Hypokalemia, hypomagnesemia and hypercalcemia increase the risk of toxicity; so do amiodarone, verapamil and kidney impairment.
Patient teaching
- Take at the same time each day; do not double a missed dose.
- Learn to take your pulse and report a slow rate or vision changes.
This card does not list doses. Use the prescriber's order, the product label and a current drug reference for dosing, and follow your facility's policies.
Cardiac glycosides (digoxin) practice questions
NCLEX-style questions on the class Digoxin belongs to.
3 questions. Choose an answer to see the rationale.
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Which finding is often the earliest sign of digoxin toxicity in an adult?
Show answer
Answer C: Anorexia and nausea GI symptoms such as loss of appetite and nausea are commonly the first signs of digoxin toxicity.
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Which electrolyte imbalance increases the risk of digoxin toxicity?
Show answer
Answer D: Hypokalemia Low potassium lets more digoxin bind to the sodium-potassium pump, increasing toxicity. High calcium and low magnesium also raise the risk.
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What is the antidote for life-threatening digoxin toxicity?
Show answer
Answer D: Digoxin immune fab Digoxin immune fab (DigiFab) binds digoxin and is used for severe toxicity.
Frequently asked questions
What is Digoxin used for?
Heart failure with reduced ejection fraction; Ventricular rate control in atrial fibrillation.
What drug class is Digoxin?
Digoxin belongs to the class cardiac glycosides (digoxin). Inhibits the sodium-potassium pump: increases the force of contraction (positive inotrope) and slows the heart rate and AV conduction (negative chronotrope and dromotrope).
What are the nursing considerations for Digoxin?
Take the apical pulse for a full minute before each dose; hold and notify the prescriber if it is below the ordered parameter (usually 60 in adults; higher limits in infants and children). Monitor the digoxin level (commonly 0.5 to 2 ng/mL; lower targets, about 0.5 to 0.9 ng/mL, are often used in heart failure) and the potassium level.
What should patients report while taking Digoxin?
signs of toxicity: anorexia, nausea and vomiting, blurred vision or yellow-green halos, confusion, new irregular or slow pulse.
What is the antidote for Digoxin?
Digoxin immune fab (DigiFab) for life-threatening toxicity.