Patients Name:

Sex:
Name of Drug
Generic Name:
Digoxin

Classification
Pharmacologic:
Digitalis
Cardiac Glycosides

Diagnosis:
Age:

Date of Admission:
Height/Weight:

Mechanism of Action
Action:
Increases the force of myocardial
contraction. Prolongs refractory period of the
AV node. Decreases conduction through the
SA and AV nodes.

Indication
General:
Heart failure
Atrial Fibrillation
Atrial Flutter
Paroxysmal Atrial
Tachycardia

Brand Name:
Digitek,
Lanoxicaps
Lanoxin
Patients Dose:
0.75 mg PO

Therapeutic:
Antiarrhythmics,
Inotropics

Pharmacokinetics:
ROUTE
PO
IM

Maximum Dose:
1.25 mg PO

Minimum Dose:
0.10 mg PO
Availability:
Tablets
Capsules
Elixir
Injection

IV

Pregnancy Category:
Category C

ONSET
30-120
min
30 min
5-30
min

Patients Indication:
Heart Failure
PEAK

DURATION

2-8 hr

2-4 days

4-6 hr

2-4 days

1-4 hr

2-4 days

Absorption: 60-80% absorbed after oral

administration of tablets

Contraindication
Digitalis toxicity,
ventricular
tachycardia/fibrillation,
obstructive
cardiomyopathy.
Arrhythmias due to
accessory pathways (e.g.
Wolff-Parkinson-White
syndrome).

Precautions:
Hypokalemia (greatly
increased risk of digoxin
toxicity)
Hypercalcemia (Increased
risk of toxicity, especially
with mild hypokalemia)
Geriatric Patients
OB
Lactation

Side Effects
CNS:
Fatigue
Generalized muscle
weakness
Agitation
hallucinations
CV:
arrhythmias,
heart block.
EENT:
yellow-green halos around
visual images,
blurred vision,
light flashes,
photophobia,
diplopia.
GI:
anorexia,
nausea

Source:
Deglin, J. (2011)
Daviss Drug Guide for
Nurses (12th ed.)
Philadelphia, FA Davis
Company pp.440-443

Source:
Deglin, J. (2011) Daviss
Drug Guide for Nurses
(12th ed.) Philadelphia, FA
Davis Company pp.440443

Source:
Deglin, J. (2011) Daviss
Drug Guide for Nurses
(12th ed.) Philadelphia, FA
Davis Company pp.440443

Verify doctors order

Ask for drug allergies
Assess for apical pulse for 1 full
minute before administering.
Observe the 10Rs of drug
administration
Administer the prescribed dosage

During:

Route:
PO
IV

Source:
Deglin, J. (2011) Daviss Drug Guide for
Nurses (12th ed.) Philadelphia, FA Davis
Company pp.440-443

After:

Metabolism & Excretion: Excreted almost

entirely unchanged by the kidneys.

Source:
Deglin, J. (2011) Daviss
Drug Guide for Nurses (12th
ed.) Philadelphia, FA Davis
Company pp.440-443

Half-life: 36-48 hr

Source:
Deglin, J. (2011)
Daviss Drug Guide
for Nurses (12th ed.)
Philadelphia, FA
Davis Company
pp.440-443

Drug Interactions:
Thiazide and Loop
Diuretics may cause
hypokalemia which may
increase risk of toxicity/

Distribution: Widely distributed; crosses

placenta and enters breast milk.

Nursing Responsibilities
Before:

Administer with regard to meals

Tablets can be crushed
Instruct patient to take medication
as directed, at the same time each
day
Take missed doses within 12 hr of
scheduled dose or omit
Do not double doses

Monitor BP periodically
Monitor I & O ratios
Teach patient to take pulse and to
contact health care provider before
taking medication if pulse rate is
<60 or >100
Report unusually slow pulse,
irregular pulse, rapid weight gain,
loss of appetite, nausea, diarrhea,
vomiting, blurred or yellow
vision, unusual tiredness and
weakness, swelling of the ankles,
legs or fingers, difficulty
breathing.
Documentation

Source:
Deglin, J. (2011) Daviss Drug Guide for
Nurses (12th ed.) Philadelphia, FA Davis
Company pp.440-443