What is the digoxin therapeutic level?
Therapeutic levels of digoxin are 0.8-2.0 ng/mL. The toxic level is >2.4 ng/mL.
What is a normal digoxin level for an infant?
The acceptable digoxin therapeutic range was set up as 0.8 to 2.0 ng/ml for the management of heart failure or atrial fibrillation, where the concentrations equal or above 2.5 ng/ml for adults and 1.5 ng/ml for pediatric patients were considered as risk critical values, respectively.
What is the therapeutic range for digoxin used to treat arrhythmias?
Recommended thresholds of therapeutic serum digoxin levels are between 0.5 to 2 ng/dl.
Why is the digoxin therapeutic index low?
Digoxin has a narrow therapeutic index [1, 23, 25] so small variations in plasma concentration may readily result in toxic or sub therapeutic concentrations. Thus, consistency in bioavailability is important.
When should you not give digoxin?
A beta-blocker or calcium antagonist (either alone or in combination with digoxin) is indicated when digoxin is ineffective for ventricular rate control. Digoxin is ineffective in restoring sinus rhythm, preventing paroxysms or controlling rate in paroxysmal AF. The elderly are at an increased risk of digoxin toxicity.
What are the indications for digoxin?
Digoxin is indicated in the following conditions: 1) For the treatment of mild to moderate heart failure in adult patients. 2) To increase myocardial contraction in children diagnosed with heart failure. 3) To maintain control ventricular rate in adult patients diagnosed with chronic atrial fibrillation.
Does digoxin affect potassium levels?
Digoxin toxicity causes hyperkalemia, or high potassium. The sodium/potassium ATPase pump normally causes sodium to leave cells and potassium to enter cells. Blocking this mechanism results in higher serum potassium levels.
How to determine if a patient has taken digoxin?
Before administering initial loading dose, determine whether patient has taken any digoxin in the preceding 2–3 wk. Evaluate serum electrolyte levels (especially potassium, magnesium, and calcium) and renal and hepatic function periodically during therapy.
How many milligrams of digoxin should an infant take?
PO (Infants –full term): Digitalizing dose– 25–35 mcg/kg given as 50% of the dose initially and one quarter of the initial dose in each of 2 subsequent doses at 6–12 hr intervals. Maintenance dose– 6–10 mcg/kg given daily in 2 divided doses.
Are there any side effects of digoxin for older adults?
Geri: Older adults are at increased risk for toxic effects of digoxin (on Beers list) due to age-related decreased renal clearance; may exist even when serum creatinine levels are normal. Digoxin requirements in older adult may change and a formerly therapeutic dose can become toxic.
How does digoxin help with congestive heart failure?
Digoxin (Lanoxin) is a medicine used for various heart conditions including arrhythmias and congestive heart failure. It is used to improve the strength and efficiency of the heart, or to control the rate and rhythm of the heartbeat. This leads to better circulation (blood flow) and less swelling of hands and ankles.