• Rapid digitalization for atrial fibrillation/flutter:
    • PO 0.75-1.5mg in divided doses to be given over 24 hours 
  • Atrial fibrillation/flutter maintenance:
    • PO 125-250 mcg daily
    • Dose adjusted according to renal function and loading dose
  • Heart failure (patients in sinus rhythm):
    • Adult: PO 62.5-125 mcg OD
    • Children <10 years: 5-10mcg/kg/dose BD 
  • Emergency loading dose, for atrial fibrillation/flutter:
    • IV 0.5-1mg slowly

Tablet:

  • 0.25mg
  • 0.125mg
  • 0.0625mg

Suspension:

  • 0.05mg/mL

Injection:

  • 0.5mg/2mL
  • IV administration administered slowly over a minimum of 5 minutes
  • IV digitalization rarely required in chronic heart failure; should only be used in hospitalization under close supervision.
  • Mild symptoms, slow digitalization preferred.

Cardiac glycoside

It inhibits NA-K ATPase causing increased intracellular calcium in the myocardium and conduction system causing a subsequent increase in renal perfusion, decreased heart rate and decreased AV node conduction velocity.

  • Dizziness
  • Mental disturbances
  • Diarrhea
  • Anorexia
  • Bradycardia
  • Palpitations
  • Ventricular ectopy
  • Tachycardia
  • Apathy
  • Gynecomastia
  • Visual disturbances
  • Maculopapular rash
  • Hypersensitivity to ingredients
  • Ventricular fibrillation
  • Myocarditis
  • Acute MI
  • AV block
  • Sinus node disease
  • NSAIDs
  • Amiodarone
  • Quinidine
  • Chloroquine
  • Verapamil
  • Diltiazem
  • Nicardipine
  • Captopril
  • Aminoglycosides
  • Anticholinergics
  • Erythromycin
  • Rifampicin
  • Antiepileptics
  • Barbiturates

                                   Drug Status

Availability Prescription only
Pregnancy Category A
Breastfeeding Can be used
Schedule Not controlled
BRAND NAME STRENGTH FORMULATION PACK SIZE MANUFACTURER DISTRIBUTOR
Digitalis 0.25mg Tablet 100’s Pharma Life Science Pharma Life Science
Digomet 0.125mg Tablet 100’s Metro Pharma Metro Pharma
Lanoxin 0.5mg/2mL Injection 5’s GSK Ltd GSK Ltd
Lanoxin 0.25mg Tablet 500’s GSK Ltd GSK Ltd
Lanoxin Elixir 0.05mg/mL Suspension 60mL GSK Ltd GSK Ltd