Digoxin is a prescribed medication used to treat congestive heart failure (CHF) and atrial fibrillation, or an irregular heartbeat. CHF is a condition in which the heart becomes enlarged and unable to effectively pump blood to the body. Atrial fibrillation usually does not cause symptoms; however, it may cause dizzy spells, loss of consciousness or blood clots in the heart that can move to the brain and cause stroke. Any patient taking digoxin should be aware of its possible side effects.
Irregular Heartbeat
Although digoxin is prescribed to treat an irregular heartbeat, Drugs.com states the medication may cause an irregular heartbeat. This occurs because digoxin alters chemical signals that regulate heartbeat. In certain patients, digoxin may cause a further imbalance of these chemical signals instead of correcting them. Furthermore, an irregular heartbeat accounts for one-half of the side effects associated with digoxin. A patient taking digoxin should not hesitate to let his doctor know if he is experiencing an irregular heartbeat or if a previous irregular heartbeat has not improved. The doctor may adjust the dosage or prescribe a different medication to treat his condition.
Confusion
Digoxin may cause confusion in certain patients. This occurs because digoxin alters chemical signals to improve heartbeat and CHF symptoms while at the same time affecting these same chemicals in the brain, which can cause confusion. A patient experiencing confusion after taking digoxin should immediately seek medical treatment. Although confusion may turn out to be a less serious side effect, it may also be a sign of another serious medical condition.
Upset Stomach
Digoxin may cause upset stomach, according to "Clinical Toxicology." In their report, 17.9 percent of patients experienced gastrointestinal side effects. Therefore, a patient taking digoxin should let his doctor know if he experiences nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or abdominal pain. In this case, he should not take any over-the-counter (OTC) medications to self-treat an upset stomach. Instead, he should call his doctor. A doctor may adjust the dosage, prescribe a different medication or give the patient an additional medication that may alleviate some of the gastrointestinal symptoms he is experiencing.
