Digoxin, also known as Lanoxin, is a drug that belongs to a class of medications known as cardiac glycosides. Digoxin is a form of digitalis, a drug that is extracted from the leaves of the foxglove plant. Digoxin strengthens heart muscles and increases the pumping force of the ventricles, leading to increased circulation of blood to the whole body.
Uses
According to Netdoctor.co.uk, digoxin is used to treat heart failure and abnormal heart rhythms such as atrial fibrillation and atrial flutter. Heart failure is a condition in which the heart's ability to pump blood to the whole body is diminished due to the weakness of heart muscles. Atrial fibrillation is a condition that affects upper heart chambers known as atria. The atria contract rapidly and the ventricles respond by beating rapidly and irregularly.
Ventricles
The heart has two lower chambers known as right and left ventricles. The two ventricles are muscular chambers that pump blood out of the heart. The right ventricle pumps blood to the lungs while the left ventricle pumps blood to the rest of the body.
Effects on Ventricles
According to the University of Michigan Health System, digoxin works directly on the heart muscles. Digoxin increases the force with which the heart muscles contract with every heartbeat, and this in turn enables the ventricles to pump blood more efficiently to the body. Digoxin also helps slow heart rate in patients with atrial fibrillation by blocking the number of electrical impulses that pass through the atrioventricular node into the ventricles.
Digoxin Toxicity
According to Drugs.com, digoxin is a high-alert drug that can easily become toxic in the body. Signs and symptoms of digoxin toxicity include loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea, headache, visual disturbances, fatigue, weakness, confusion, hallucinations, slow heart rate and abnormal heart beat.
Warning
According to Netdoctor.co.uk, digoxin is a dangerous drug that should be used cautiously. Digoxin may cause dizziness and patients should avoid driving and operating machines until they are aware of the effects of digoxin on their bodies. Patients taking digoxin should make sure they attend doctors' appointments to have the levels of digoxin and electrolytes monitored. The doctor may recommend the patients check their apical pulse for one full minute before taking digoxin.
