digoxin
Brand names: Lanoxin
Digoxin (Lanoxin) is a medicine that helps your heart pump better. It is used to treat heart failure and control irregular heartbeats.
Drug Pricing (NADAC)
Generic Price
$1.17/unit
Generic Available
Yes (10 manufacturers)
Pricing data from NADAC (CMS), effective December 18, 2024. Compare all drug costs →
What it does
Digoxin is used to treat mild to moderate heart failure in adults.
Common side effects
Nausea, Vomiting, Diarrhea
Key warnings
Digoxin can cause serious side effects, including dangerous heart rhythms.
How It Works
Digoxin belongs to a class of drugs called cardiac glycosides. It works by making the heart muscle contract more strongly. It also slows down the electrical signals in the heart, which can help control irregular heartbeats.
How to Take It
Your doctor will decide the right dose for you based on your age, weight, and kidney function. You may start with a higher dose (loading dose) followed by a lower daily dose. Or, you may start directly with the daily dose. It is important to take digoxin exactly as your doctor tells you. If you are a child or have low body weight, use the digoxin solution to measure your dose.
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
It is not known if digoxin can harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. The medicine passes into breast milk, but it is unlikely to harm the baby.
Missed Dose
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and continue with your regular schedule.
Storage
Store digoxin tablets at room temperature (59°F - 77°F) in a dry place, away from light and out of reach of children.
Side Effects (from patient reports)
Based on 40,680 FDA adverse event reports.
FDA Adverse Event Report Analysis
Detailed analysis of 70,341 reports from the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). Reports span 1999–2025.
Total Reports
70,341
Death-Related Reports
13,641
Hospitalization Reports
35,786
Top Indication
Product Used For Unknown Indication
Gender Distribution
Age Distribution
Most Reported Adverse Reactions (FAERS)
| # | Reaction | Reports |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | DYSPNOEA | 6,065 |
| 2 | NAUSEA | 4,754 |
| 3 | DIZZINESS | 4,439 |
| 4 | FATIGUE | 4,175 |
| 5 | ATRIAL FIBRILLATION | 3,974 |
| 6 | DIARRHOEA | 3,743 |
| 7 | ASTHENIA | 3,617 |
| 8 | DEATH | 3,396 |
| 9 | VOMITING | 3,363 |
| 10 | HYPOTENSION | 3,172 |
| 11 | CARDIAC FAILURE CONGESTIVE | 3,136 |
| 12 | PAIN | 2,986 |
| 13 | FALL | 2,902 |
| 14 | DRUG INTERACTION | 2,799 |
| 15 | PNEUMONIA | 2,727 |
Reactions in Death Reports
Reactions in Hospitalization Reports
Source: FDA FAERS (Adverse Event Reporting System) FDA FAERS (Adverse Event Reporting System) Reports are voluntary and do not establish causation
Serious Warnings
Digoxin can cause serious side effects, including dangerous heart rhythms. You are at higher risk if you have certain heart conditions or kidney problems. Tell your doctor right away if you have nausea, vomiting, vision changes, or an irregular heartbeat.
Known Drug Interactions
Digoxin Some calcium blockers may increase the concentration of digitalis preparations in the blood. Nicardipine hydrochloride capsules usually do not alter the plasma levels of digoxin; however, serum digoxin levels should be evaluated after concomitant therapy with nicardipine hydrochloride capsules are initiated.
Mechanism: Nicardipine may cause digoxin to build up in your bloodstream by changing how your body handles the drug.
What to do: Your doctor should monitor your digoxin blood levels closely when you start taking nicardipine.
Interaction Drug Interaction Rifabutin, phenytoin, efavirenz, cimetidine, esomeprazole* Avoid coadministration unless the benefit outweighs the risks ( 7.6 , 7.7 , 7.8 , 7.9 ) Other drugs metabolized by CYP3A4 Consider dosage adjustment and monitor for adverse effects and toxicity ( 7.1 , 7.10 , 7.11 ) Digoxin Monitor digoxin plasma concentrations ( 7.12 ) Fosamprenavir, metoclopramide* Monitor for breakthrough fungal infections ( 7.6 , 7.13 ) *The drug interactions with esomeprazole and metoclopramide do not apply to posaconazole tablets. 7.12 Digoxin Increased plasma concentrations of dig...
Mechanism: Posaconazole can cause the amount of digoxin in your blood to rise to higher levels. This increases the risk of digoxin toxicity, which can affect your heart rhythm.
What to do: Your healthcare provider should closely monitor the levels of digoxin in your blood to ensure they stay within a safe range.
Antiarrthymics Dofetilide Concomitant administration with digoxin was associated with a higher rate of torsades de pointes Sotalol Proarrhythmic events were more common in patients receiving sotalol and digoxin than on either alone; it is not clear whether this represents an interaction or is related to the presence of CHF, a known risk factor for proarrhythmia, in patients receiving digoxin.
Mechanism: Using these two drugs together can increase the chance of developing dangerous, irregular heartbeats. This may be due to the drugs themselves or the heart condition being treated.
What to do: Your doctor should monitor your heart rhythm carefully. Let your healthcare provider know if you feel dizzy or have a racing heart.
Antiarrthymics Dofetilide Concomitant administration with digoxin was associated with a higher rate of torsades de pointes Sotalol Proarrhythmic events were more common in patients receiving sotalol and digoxin than on either alone; it is not clear whether this represents an interaction or is related to the presence of CHF, a known risk factor for proarrhythmia, in patients receiving digoxin.
Mechanism: Taking these medicines at the same time increases the risk of a serious and potentially fatal irregular heart rhythm. Both drugs change how electricity moves through the heart.
What to do: Your doctor will need to monitor your heart's electrical activity very closely. Seek medical help if you feel faint or have chest palpitations.
Hyperpolarization-activated cyclic nucleotide-gated channel blocker Ivabradine Can increase the risk of bradycardia.
Mechanism: Both of these medications work to slow down the heart. When taken together, they can cause the heart rate to drop to a level that is too slow.
What to do: Your doctor should check your pulse and heart rate often. Contact your doctor if you feel unusually weak, dizzy, or short of breath.
Common Questions
What should I do if I feel sick after taking digoxin?
Can I take other medicines with digoxin?
How often will I need blood tests?
What are the signs of digoxin toxicity?
Can I stop taking digoxin on my own?
Does digoxin cure heart failure?
Will digoxin affect my ability to drive?
What if I have kidney problems?
Can digoxin cause mental changes?
Are there any foods I should avoid while taking digoxin?
What are the common side effects of digoxin?
Does digoxin interact with other medications?
What drug class is digoxin?
Is digoxin safe during pregnancy?
Related Medications in Cardiac Glycoside
Other drugs grouped near digoxin — same-class peers and common alternatives.
adenosine
Adenocard
Adenosine (Adenocard) is a medicine used to treat certain types of irregular heartbeats.
Compare with digoxin →
amiodarone
Cordarone, Pacerone
Amiodarone (Pacerone) is a medicine used to treat life-threatening, irregular heartbeats.
Compare with digoxin →
atropine
AtroPen
Atropine is a medicine that can temporarily block severe effects on your body.
Compare with digoxin →
bumetanide
Bumex
Bumetanide is a water pill (diuretic).
Compare with digoxin →
carvedilol
Coreg
Carvedilol is a medicine that lowers blood pressure and helps your heart work better.
Compare with digoxin →
Medication Guides
Understanding Drug Interactions
How CYP450 enzymes, inhibitors, and inducers affect your medications
Generic vs Brand Name Drugs
FDA requirements, cost savings, and when the difference matters
Narrow Therapeutic Index Drugs
Why some drugs demand precise dosing and monitoring
Common Drug Interactions
Dangerous medication combinations and how to protect yourself
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What the FDA Data Shows for digoxin
The FDA label for digoxin (sold under brand names such as Lanoxin) classifies it as a prescription-only medication in the Cardiac Glycoside class. Digoxin is used to treat mild to moderate heart failure in adults. Official labeling lists 7 commonly reported side effects, including Nausea, Vomiting, Diarrhea.
Post-market surveillance from the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) captures real-world experience. For this drug, FAERS contains 40,680 voluntary reports. The database also lists 120 documented drug interactions derived from FDA labeling, with the top-flagged interaction rated major severity. NADAC pricing from CMS shows a generic unit cost of $1.17.
Report counts do not establish causation — a FAERS entry documents a temporal association, not proof that the drug produced the outcome. Widely prescribed medications naturally accumulate more reports than niche therapies, so raw totals must be interpreted alongside total exposure. Shortage status, recall history, and patent information further shape supply and switching decisions. This page summarizes public FDA data for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice — always consult a licensed healthcare provider before starting, stopping, or changing any medication.
Data Sources
Drug labeling: FDA Drug Labels (SPL/DailyMed). Adverse events: FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). Pricing: CMS National Average Drug Acquisition Cost (NADAC).
FAERS reports are voluntary and do not establish causation. Drug interactions are derived from FDA labeling and clinical references. Always consult a healthcare professional before making medication decisions.
Last updated: September 4, 2024
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.
All federal data sources used on this page
- FDA Orange Book — approved drug products with therapeutic equivalence. accessdata.fda.gov/cder/ob
- FDA DailyMed — NIH-hosted drug labeling for FDA-approved meds. dailymed.nlm.nih.gov
- FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) — post-marketing safety surveillance. fda.gov/drugs/faers
- NLM RxNorm — standardized clinical drug nomenclature. nlm.nih.gov/research/umls/rxnorm
- CMS Medicare Part B Drug Average Sales Price Files — federal drug pricing data. cms.gov/medicare/part-b-drugs/asp
- FDA Drug Shortages Database — current and resolved drug shortage tracking. accessdata.fda.gov/drugshortages