Digamex (discontinued in the UK)

How does it work?

This medicine contains the active ingredient digoxin, which is a type of medicine called a cardiac glycoside. It is a form of digitalis, a drug that is extracted from the leaves of the foxglove plant. Digoxin works directly on the heart muscle. It slows down the rate at which the heart beats, and also increases the force with which the heart muscles contract with every heartbeat. This makes each heartbeat more efficient at pumping blood around the body. Digoxin is used to treat certain abnormal heart rhythms caused by abnormal contractions in the upper part of the heart, in particular a condition called atrial fibrillation (AF). In AF, the upper two chambers of the heart, called the atria, contract very rapidly, and the lower two chambers of the heart, called the ventricles, respond by beating rapidly and irregularly. An irregular heartbeat is not very efficent at pumping blood around the body. By slowing the heart rate and making each beat more forceful, digoxin makes the heart pump more efficiently in this condition. Digoxin is also used to treat heart failure, a condition where the hearts ability to pump blood around the body is diminished. By improving the efficiency of each heartbeat, digoxin allows the heart to continue to effectively pump blood and oxygen around the body. The blood level of digoxin that is needed for it to be effective is quite close to the blood level that causes unwanted effects. This is true of a few medicines, and is described as a narrow therapeutic index. Treatment can still be safe, and your doctor will monitor your digoxin treatment closely, and may take blood tests to check the level of digoxin in your blood. You should tell your doctor if you experience any side effects during treatment, particularly nausea and vomiting, loss of appetite, visual disturbances, palpitations or confusion, as these may indicate your blood level is too high and that your dose needs reducing.

What is it used for?

Abnormal heart rhythms caused by abnormal contractions in the upper part of the heart (supraventricular arrhythmias)

Heart failure

Irregular heartbeat caused by very rapid contraction of the top two chambers of the heart (atrial fibrillation)

Warning!

This medicine may reduce your ability to drive or operate machinery safely. Do not drive or operate machinery until you know how this medicine affects you and you are sure it won't affect your performance.

During treatment with this medicine you should have regular blood tests to monitor your kidney function and the levels of salts (electrolytes), particularly potassium, in your blood.

If the level of potassium in your blood drops too low (hypokalaemia) the risk of side effects from this medicine is increased. You should make sure you include plently of fresh fruit and vegetables in your diet to avoid this. Your doctor may want to monitor your blood potassium levels more frequently if you are elderly or are taking diuretic medicine that depletes potassium from the body.

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.

Go To Next Page>>
The documents contained in this web site are presented for information purposes only. The material is in no way intended to replace professional medical care or attention by a qualified practitioner. The materials in this web site cannot and should not be used as a basis for diagnosis or choice of treatment. Conditions for use



© Copyright 1998 - 2004 NetDoctor.co.uk - All rights reserved