Digoxin

General

  • Type: Cardiac glycoside; CHF medications
  • Dosage Forms: PO, IV, IM
  • Common Trade Names: Digitek, Digox, Lanoxin (US)

Adult Dosing

  • Loading dose = 0.25mg IV q2hr until effect (max total = 1.5mg)
  • in acute atrial fibrillation with RVR with heart failure = 0.5mg IV, then 0.25mg IV q4hr until effect or max 1.5mg

Pediatric Dosing

Special Populations

Indications

  • RVR control in a-fib/flutter, PSVT

Contraindications

  • Allergy to class/drug
  • WPW
    • Increases conduction velocity in atrial tissue

Adverse Reactions

Digoxin toxicity

  • GI: nausea and vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain
  • CV: Bradycardia, SA/AV block, ventr arrhythmias

Pharmacology

  • Half-life:
  • Metabolism:
  • Excretion:
  • Kinetics
    • Onset of action = 1.5-4hr (IV)

Mechanism of Action

  • Inhibits Na+/K+ ATPase in the myocardium[1]
    • Causes increase in intracellular sodium levels
    • Results in reversal of sodium-calcium exchanger
      • Normally imports three extracellular sodium ions into the cardiac myocyte in exchange for one intracellular calcium being exported
    • Sodium accumulates intracellularly and is exchanged for Calcium.
    • Causes an increase in the intracellular calcium concentration increasing contractility
      • Also a lengthening of phase 4 and phase 0 of the cardiac action potential which ultimately decreases heart rate
  • Summary
    • Inhibits NaK pump
      • Positive inotropy
    • Negative chronotropy/dromotropy
      • Indirect vagal stimulator

Comments

See Also

References

  1. Gheorghiade M. et al. Digoxin in the Management of Cardiovascular Disorders. Circulation. 2004; 109: 2959-2964