Digoxin
Also known as: Lanoxin
What it's for
Digoxin slows your heart rate and helps it beat more strongly. It treats heart failure and atrial fibrillation (irregular heartbeat). It comes from the foxglove plant.
Comes as: Tablets or liquid
How to take it
- Adults: Usually 62.5 micrograms to 250 micrograms once a day.
- Dose depends on your age, weight, and kidney function.
- Take at the same time each day.
- Your doctor will monitor your levels with blood tests.
Doses here are typical. Always follow the instructions from your prescriber or on the packet — they come first.
Common side effects
- Feeling sick or loss of appetite
- Diarrhoea
- Dizziness
- Blurred or yellow vision
The leaflet inside the packet lists all known side effects.
Important safety points
- Very important to take the correct dose - too much is dangerous
- Your doctor will do regular blood tests to check levels
- Many medicines interact with digoxin - check with your pharmacist
- Tell your doctor if you have kidney problems
Get medical help urgently if…
- You have nausea, vomiting, or loss of appetite that won't go away
- You see yellow or green halos around lights
- Your heart beats very slowly or irregularly
- You feel confused or have changes in mood
Call NHS 111 for urgent advice, or 999 if someone is seriously unwell.
Before you act on anything here
This page is general information, written to help you understand — it is not personal medical advice and it cannot tell you what is right for you. Talk to your own GP, pharmacist or nurse about your own health.
- Need help now but it's not an emergency? Call NHS 111 or use 111.nhs.uk.
- Emergency? Call 999 or go to A&E.