Meta Information
ID:digoxin
Name:Digoxin
Schema Version:1.5
Alternate Names
- Lanoxin
- Digitalis
Active Compound
digoxin
Intervention Type
therapeutic_agent
Delivery
Route:
oral
Scope:
- systemic
Regulatory Status
- us:rx_drug
- eu:rx_drug
Indication
Focus:
disease_treatment
Description:
Treatment of mild to moderate heart failure (specifically with reduced ejection fraction) and to control ventricular response rate in chronic atrial fibrillation.
Typical Protocol
- Typically administered as a low daily oral dose, such as 0.125 to 0.25 mg.
- Dosing is highly individualized and requires therapeutic drug monitoring to maintain safe blood levels.
Expected Cost Mean
Low Cost:
10
High Cost:
30
Cost Type:
monthly
Description:
Generic prescription cost, which is typically covered by insurance plans.
Summary
Digoxin is a cardiac glycoside that inhibits the sodium-potassium ATPase pump in heart muscle cells. This leads to increased intracellular calcium, strengthening heart contractions (positive inotropy) to improve cardiac output in heart failure. It also slows electrical conduction through the atrioventricular (AV) node, helping to control rapid heart rates in conditions like atrial fibrillation.
Purpose
Strengthens heart contractions and controls heart rate in disease.
Card Summary
A cardiac glycoside used to treat heart failure and atrial fibrillation by strengthening heart contractions and slowing heart rate.
Drug Class
cardiac_glycosides
Drugs In Class
Empty Array
Impact
Score:
5.5
Justification:
Effective for symptom control and reducing hospitalizations, but does not improve mortality.
Evidence
Grade:
A
Score:
9.5
Justification:
Extensive evidence from large, long-term randomized controlled trials and meta-analyses.
Safety
Score:
7.8
Justification:
Very narrow therapeutic index requires close monitoring to avoid life-threatening toxicity.
Flags
- Has a very narrow therapeutic window, where toxic doses are close to therapeutic doses.
- Risk of digitalis toxicity, which can cause nausea, vision changes, and fatal arrhythmias.
- Requires regular blood tests to monitor drug levels, kidney function, and electrolytes.
- Numerous significant drug interactions, including with common diuretics, antibiotics, and other heart medications.
- Risk of toxicity is significantly increased by low potassium or magnesium levels.
Verdict
A legacy drug for heart failure/AFib requiring strict medical supervision.
Created
2026-04-30T01:26:35.308130Z
Ai Model
Gemini 2.5 Pro (High)
Non Healthspan
True