Individual generic drug information

digoxin

Reference monograph

Part of registered formulation

DIGOXIN

Reference record: DIGOXIN
Source: MSF Essential Drugs (January 2026)
Printed source pages: 394, 395
Age groups indexed: Not recorded

Individual active ingredientSource records are displayed separately

Some source sections could not be separated reliably in the extraction. Review the printed source pages when a field is missing or incomplete.

Overview

Extracted information for DIGOXIN only.

Therapeutic Action

Cardiotonic

Source page 394

Indications

Supraventricular arrhythmias (fibrillation, flutter, paroxysmal tachycardia) Heart failure

Source page 394

Safety

Extracted information for DIGOXIN only.

Contraindications Adverse Effects Precautions

Do not administer to patients with bradycardia, ill defined arrhythmia, coronary artery disease. It is essential to monitor heart rate in the initial stage of treatment. Narrow margin between therapeutic and toxic dose. May cause in the event of overdose: gastrointestinal disturbances (nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea), blurred vision, headache, confusion, conduction and rhythm disorders. If so, reduce dose or stop treatment. Do not combine with calcium, particularly by IV injection (serious arrhythmias). Monitor combination with: amiodarone, macrolides, itraconazole, quinine, chloroquine (increased digoxin concentration); potassium-depleting drugs: diuretics, corticoids, amphotericin B (increased risk of digoxin toxicity). Monitor if possible serum potassium level in patients taking potassium-depleting drugs and serum creatinine level in patients with renal impairment. Pregnancy: no contra-indication Breast-feeding: no contra-indication

Source pages 394, 395

Dose and formulations

Extracted information for DIGOXIN only.

Forms Strengths And Route

500 micrograms ampoule (250 micrograms/ml, 2 ml) for slow IV injection or infusion in 5% glucose or 0.9% sodium chloride

Source page 394

Dosage

Adult: Loading dose: 500 to 1000 micrograms The loading dose can be administered either by intravenous infusion as a single dose given over 2 hours minimum or in divided doses, by slow IV injections over 5 minutes minimum. Maintenance dose: change to oral treatment Reduce the dose by one half in older patients and in patients with renal impairment.

Source page 394

Clinical care

Extracted information for DIGOXIN only.

Remarks

A loading dose may be administered in arrhythmias if a rapid digitalisation is required. It is usually not required for heart failure.

Source page 395

Storage

– Below 25 °C

Source page 395

Dose text by age group

Filter the extracted dose blocks for this individual drug.

No dose block was identified for this age filter. This does not establish whether the drug is suitable for that age group.

Age labels are extracted from the printed dose headings and require clinical review. Confirm current local guidance, dose, route, formulation, contraindications and interactions before prescribing.

Individual generic drug information

digoxin

Reference monograph

Part of registered formulation

DIGOXIN

Reference record: DIGOXIN
Source: MSF Essential Drugs (January 2026)
Printed source pages: 394, 395
Age groups indexed: Not recorded

Individual active ingredientSource records are displayed separately

Some source sections could not be separated reliably in the extraction. Review the printed source pages when a field is missing or incomplete.

Overview

Extracted information for DIGOXIN only.

Therapeutic Action

Cardiotonic

Source page 394

Indications

Supraventricular arrhythmias (fibrillation, flutter, paroxysmal tachycardia) Heart failure

Source page 394

Safety

Extracted information for DIGOXIN only.

Contraindications Adverse Effects Precautions

Source pages 394, 395

Dose and formulations

Extracted information for DIGOXIN only.

Forms Strengths And Route

500 micrograms ampoule (250 micrograms/ml, 2 ml) for slow IV injection or infusion in 5% glucose or 0.9% sodium chloride

Source page 394

Dosage

Source page 394

Clinical care

Extracted information for DIGOXIN only.

Remarks

A loading dose may be administered in arrhythmias if a rapid digitalisation is required. It is usually not required for heart failure.

Source page 395

Storage

– Below 25 °C

Source page 395

Dose text by age group

Filter the extracted dose blocks for this individual drug.

No dose block was identified for this age filter. This does not establish whether the drug is suitable for that age group.

Age labels are extracted from the printed dose headings and require clinical review. Confirm current local guidance, dose, route, formulation, contraindications and interactions before prescribing.