Lanoxin

Use with caution in

- A problem common in the elderly, related to poor control of the working of the heart (sick sinus syndrome)
- Decreased kidney function
- Elderly people
- Heart disease characterised by thickening of the internal heart muscle and a blockage inside the heart (hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy)
- High levels of calcium in the blood (hypercalcaemia)
- Low blood magnesium levels (hypomagnesaemia)
- Low blood potassium levels (hypokalaemia)
- Period immediately following a heart attack
- Reduced ability of the gut to absorb nutrients (malabsorption)
- Severe disease affecting the airways or lungs
- Thyroid disease

Not to be used in

- Abnormal heart beats caused by Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome
- Abnormal heart rhythm caused by rapid contraction of the lower chambers of the heart (ventricular tachycardia)
- Defect of the heart's electrical message pathways resulting in decreased function of the heart (heart block)
- Hypersensitivity to other cardiac glycosides
- Life-threatening disturbance in heart rhythm (ventricular fibrillation)

This medicine should not be used if you are allergic to one or any of its ingredients. Please inform your doctor or pharmacist if you have previously experienced such an allergy. If you feel you have experienced an allergic reaction, stop using this medicine and inform your doctor or pharmacist immediately.

Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

Certain medicines should not be used during pregnancy or breastfeeding. However, other medicines may be safely used in pregnancy or breastfeeding providing the benefits to the mother outweigh the risks to the unborn baby. Always inform your doctor if you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy, before using any medicine.

- This medicine should be used with caution during pregnancy, and only if the expected benefit to the mother is greater than any possible risk to the foetus. Seek medical advice from your doctor.
- This medicine may pass into breast milk, but in such small quantities that it is unlikely to harm the baby. Seek medical advice from your doctor before breastfeeding.

Side effects

Medicines and their possible side effects can affect individual people in different ways. The following are some of the side effects that are known to be associated with this medicine. Because a side effect is stated here, it does not mean that all people using this medicine will experience that or any side effect.

- Headache
- Diarrhoea
- Fatigue
- Skin rashes
- Abnormal heart beats (arrhythmias)
- Blockade of the electrical pathways which control the pumping action of the heart (heart block)
- Dizziness
- Nausea and vomiting
- Loss of appetite
- Slow heart rate (bradycardia)
- Abnormal enlargement of breasts in men (gynaecomastia) with long term use of medication
- Weakness or loss of strength (asthenia)
- A general feeling of being unwell (malaise)
- Confusion
- Visual disturbances

The side effects listed above may not include all of the side effects reported by the drug's manufacturer. For more information about any other possible risks associated with this medicine, please read the information provided with the medicine or consult your doctor or pharmacist.