This article describes digoxin oral tablet’s dosages and strengths and gives details on how to take it. You’ll also find information on cost savings and coupon options for digoxin. If you want to know more about digoxin oral tablet, see this overview article. It covers details about the drug’s uses and side effects, ways to save on cost, and more.
Digoxin oral tablet is a generic version of the brand-name drug Lanoxin. Digoxin also comes as an injection and an oral elixir, but those forms aren’t described in this article. To learn more about those forms, talk with your doctor.
Form and strengths of digoxin
Digoxin oral tablet comes as follows:
- Form: tablet that you swallow
- Strengths: 65 micrograms (mcg), 125 mcg, 250 mcg
Dosage of digoxin
This article describes the recommended dosages for digoxin oral tablet. The drugmaker provides these dosages.
If your doctor prescribes this medication, you should follow the dosage they prescribe. Your doctor will determine the dosage that best meets your needs. Do not change your dosage of digoxin oral tablet without your doctor’s recommendation.
Usual recommended dosages of digoxin in adults
When you first start taking digoxin oral tablet, your doctor may prescribe a loading dose followed by a maintenance dose. (A loading dose is a higher dose of medication given at the beginning of treatment so the drug can start working more quickly. A maintenance dose is what you’ll take throughout treatment, often after a loading or starting dose.)
The recommended loading dose and maintenance dose of digoxin oral tablet for adults with heart failure or long-term atrial fibrillation (AFib) is outlined below. The dosage is shown in mcg per kilograms (kg)* of body weight:
- Recommended loading dosage: 10–15 mcg/kg divided into three doses (half the total loading dose is taken initially, then 1/4 of the total loading dose is taken every 6–8 hours for two doses)
- Recommended starting maintenance dosage: 3.4–5.1 mcg/kg once per day
The drug manufacturer doesn’t specify a maximum recommended dosage for this drug. Please talk with your doctor if you have questions about the maximum dosage of digoxin oral tablet.
* For reference, 1 kg is about 2.2 pounds (lb).
Dosages of digoxin in children
Your child’s doctor will prescribe a dosage of digoxin oral tablet based on your child’s body weight, kidney health, age, and other medications they take. The recommended loading and maintenance dosages for children with heart failure are outlined in the table below.
| Age | Recommended loading dosage | Recommended starting maintenance dosage |
|---|---|---|
| 5–10 years | 20–45 mcg/kg taken in three divided doses per day | 3.2–6.4 mcg/kg/dose twice per day |
| 11 years and older | 10–15 mcg/kg taken in three divided doses per day | 3.4–5.1 mcg/kg once per day |
Dosage adjustments for digoxin
Your doctor will prescribe a dosage of digoxin oral tablet based on several factors. These include:
- the specific condition being treated and how severe it is
- other medications you may take
- other health conditions you may have
- your body weight
- your age
Missed dose of digoxin
Talk with your doctor or pharmacist right away if you realize you forgot to take a dose of digoxin oral tablet. They may advise you to take the missed dose. Or they may advise you to skip it and take your next dose as scheduled.
For tips on how to plan your doses of digoxin oral tablet and avoid missing a dose, read this article. You could also try:
- downloading a reminder app on your phone
- setting an alarm
- putting a note where you’ll see it, such as on your calendar, bathroom mirror, or bedside table
Frequently asked questions
Below are answers to some commonly asked questions about digoxin oral tablet and its dosage.
Do older adults need to take a lower dose of digoxin?
Maybe. Your kidneys clear digoxin from your body. In some older adults, the kidneys may not work as efficiently as they used to. (In general, the term “older adults” refers to people ages 65 years and older.)
This means older adults may clear digoxin from their bodies more slowly, which could cause digoxin to reach higher levels in the body. This may increase the risk of serious side effects, such as heart problems. Due to this risk, if you’re an older adult, your doctor may order a blood test to check your kidney health before prescribing digoxin.
If you have questions about your dosage of digoxin, talk with your doctor.
What is the typical dose range for digoxin?
Your doctor will prescribe a dosage of digoxin oral tablet based on several factors. This includes:
- the condition you’re receiving treatment for
- your age
- your body weight
- your kidney health
- other medications you take
For details on the typical dose range for digoxin oral tablet, see the “Dosage of digoxin” section above.
Is digoxin taken long-term?
Yes, doctors typically prescribe digoxin oral tablet as a long-term treatment. If you and your doctor determine that it’s safe and effective for your condition, you’ll likely take it long term.
If you have questions about how long you should take digoxin oral tablet, talk with your doctor.
How digoxin is taken
You’ll swallow digoxin oral tablet one to two times per day, as prescribed by your doctor. You can take it with or without food.
Some digoxin tablets are scored, which means they can be split in half along the score (groove) line if needed. Otherwise, digoxin oral tablets can be cut or crushed. If it’s hard for you to swallow tablets, view this article. It provides suggestions on how to swallow medications that come in pill form.
Your doctor may advise that you take this medication around the same time each day. This helps keep a consistent amount of the drug in your body. And that can help the drug work more effectively.
Also, be sure to talk with your doctor or pharmacist if you’re having difficulty taking your medication. They can offer recommendations for taking it.
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Get free cardOverdose of digoxin
It’s important that you do not take more digoxin oral tablet than your doctor prescribes. Doing so can lead to harmful effects.
Symptoms of digoxin overdose
Symptoms of an overdose can include:
- nausea
- vomiting
- loss of appetite
- fatigue (low energy)
- weight loss
- stomach pain
- irregular heart rhythms
What to do if you take too much digoxin
If you think you’ve taken too much digoxin, call your doctor or pharmacist right away. Or you could call 800-222-1222 to speak with someone at America’s Poison Centers. You can also use its online resource. If you have severe symptoms, call 911 or a local emergency number immediately. You can also go to the closest emergency room.
What to ask your doctor
This article describes the usual recommended dosages for digoxin oral tablet. If your doctor prescribes this medication, they’ll determine the dosage that’s best for you.
Do not change your dosage of digoxin oral tablet without your doctor’s recommendation. You should take digoxin oral tablet exactly as your doctor prescribes it. Let your doctor know if you have concerns or questions about your treatment plan.
Here’s a list of some possible questions you may want to ask your doctor:
- Will my dosage of digoxin change if I take other medications with it?
- Will my dosage of digoxin change at a certain point?
- How long will I need to take digoxin?
Disclaimer: Optum Perks has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.