Two medicines, side by side
Digoxin vs warfarin
Digoxin and warfarin are both labeled for atrial fibrillation. Drugs@FDA records approvals of digoxin since 1954 and of warfarin since 1954. Pharmacies paid $0.133 per digoxin 125 mcg tablet and $0.093 per warfarin sodium 2 mg tablet (NADAC, October 7, 2026); the strengths differ, so the two prices are not like for like. In FDA's classes, digoxin is a cardiac glycoside and warfarin a vitamin k antagonist.
Check it at the source: the digoxin FDA label on DailyMed (effective December 5, 2024); the warfarin FDA label on DailyMed (effective May 29, 2026).
Highlights of the digoxin record
Digoxin (Lanoxin) · label of December 5, 2024
Used for
From the label: indicationsLANOXIN is a cardiac glycoside indicated for: Treatment of mild to moderate heart failure in adults. ( 1.1 ) Increasing myocardial contractility in pediatric patients with heart failure. ( 1.2 ) Control of resting ventricular rate in patients with chronic atrial fibrillation in adults. ( 1.3 ) 1.1 Heart Failure in Adults LANOXIN is indicated for the treatment of mild to moderate heart failure in adults. […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- November 16, 1954
- Generic labelers
- 26 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.133 per tablet
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 4
Highlights of the warfarin record
Warfarin (Coumadin) · label of May 29, 2026
BLEEDING RISK Warfarin sodium can cause major or fatal bleeding [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1) ]. Perform regular monitoring of INR in all treated patients [see Dosage and Administration (2.1) ]. Drugs, dietary changes, and other factors affect INR levels achieved with warfarin sodium therapy [see Drug Interactions (7) ]. Instruct patients about prevention measures to minimize risk of bleeding and to report signs and symptoms of bleeding [see Patient Counseling Information (17) ].
Used for
From the label: indicationsWarfarin sodium tablets are indicated for: Prophylaxis and treatment of venous thrombosis and its extension, pulmonary embolism (PE). Prophylaxis and treatment of thromboembolic complications associated with atrial fibrillation (AF) and/or cardiac valve replacement. […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- June 8, 1954
- Generic labelers
- 19 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.093 per tablet
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 7
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA (Digoxin label of December 5, 2024, Warfarin label of May 29, 2026); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do digoxin and warfarin differ on the record?
In FDA's classes, digoxin is a cardiac glycoside and warfarin a vitamin k antagonist.
How each works, in its label's words: Digoxin, “This enzyme, the “sodium pump,” is responsible for maintaining the intracellular milieu throughout the body by moving sodium ions out of and potassium ions into cells.”; Warfarin, “Warfarin acts by inhibiting the synthesis of vitamin K-dependent clotting factors, which include Factors II, VII, IX, and X, and the anticoagulant proteins C and S.”
Half-life, in each label's words: Digoxin, “In healthy volunteers with normal renal function, digoxin has a half-life of 1.5-2 days.”; Warfarin, “Excretion The terminal half-life of warfarin after a single dose is approximately 1 week; …”
Only the warfarin label carries a boxed warning.
Generics: digoxin since 1975; warfarin since 1997 (Drugs@FDA).
| Digoxin | Warfarin | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Heart failure, Atrial fibrillation | Blood clots (DVT and PE), Atrial fibrillation |
| Pharmacologic class | Cardiac Glycoside | Vitamin K Antagonist |
| How it works (label) | All of digoxin’s actions are mediated through its effects on Na-K ATPase. This enzyme, the “sodium pump,” is responsible for maintaining the intracellular milieu throughout the body by moving sodium ions out of and potassium ions into … | Warfarin acts by inhibiting the synthesis of vitamin K-dependent clotting factors, which include Factors II, VII, IX, and X, and the anticoagulant proteins C and S. |
| Half-life (label) | In healthy volunteers with normal renal function, digoxin has a half-life of 1.5-2 days. | Excretion The terminal half-life of warfarin after a single dose is approximately 1 week; however, the effective half-life ranges from 20 to 60 hours, with a mean of about 40 hours. |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | November 16, 1954 | June 8, 1954 |
| First generic approved | October 24, 1975 | March 26, 1997 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 26 labelers | 19 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $0.133 per tablet (Digoxin 125 mcg tablet) | $0.093 per tablet (Warfarin sodium 2 mg tablet) |
| 12-month price change | +20% | +2% |
| Boxed warning | No | Yes |
| Shortage now | No current entry | No current entry |
| Recalls recorded | 4 | 7 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 71,335 | 127,492 |
| DEA schedule | none | none |
Source: Drugs@FDA, FDA NDC Directory, CMS NADAC of October 7, 2026, FDA shortages and recalls, FAERS via openFDA (FDA files October 8, 2026)
What next?
- Alternatives to digoxin
- every medicine labeled for the same conditions