Digoxin 0.05mg/ml

Oral solution

Cardiac failure
Digoxin is indicated in the management of chronic cardiac failure where the dominant problem is systolic dysfunction. Its
therapeutic benefit is greatest in those patients with ventricular dilatation.
Digoxin is specifically indicated where cardiac failure is accompanied by atrial fibrillation.
Supraventricular arrhythmias
Digoxin is indicated in the management of certain supraventricular arrhythmias, particularly chronic atrial flutter andfibrillation.

The dose of digoxin for each patient has to be tailored individually according to age, lean body weight and renal function.
Suggested doses are intended only as an initial guide.
In cases where cardiac glycosides have been taken in the preceding two weeks the recommendations for initial dosing of
a patient should be reconsidered and a reduced dose is advised.
The difference in bioavailability between injectable digoxin and oral formulations must be considered when changing
from one dosage form to another. For example if patients are switched from oral to the I.V. formulation the dosage should
be reduced by approximately 33%.
Adults and paediatric populations over 10 years
Rapid oral loading:
If medically appropriate, rapid digitalisation may be achieved in a number of ways, such as 750 to 1500 micrograms
(0.75 to 1.5 mg) as a single dose.
Where there is less urgency, or greater risk of toxicity e.g. in the elderly, the oral loading dose should be given in divided
doses six hours apart, with approximately half the total dose given as the first dose.
Clinical response should be assessed before giving each additional dose (see Section 4.4).
Slow oral loading:
In some patients, for example those with mild heart failure, digitalisation may be achieved more slowly with doses of 250
to 750 micrograms (0.25 to 0.75 mg) daily for one week followed by an appropriate maintenance dose. A clinical
response should be seen within one week.
The choice between slow and rapid oral loading depends on the clinical state of the patient and the urgency of the
condition.
Maintenance dose:
The maintenance dosage should be based upon the percentage of the peak body stores lost each day through
elimination. The following formula has had wide clinical use: