Lanoxin 250mcg: Uses, Benefits, Side Effects & Information

Lanoxin 250mcg contains digoxin which is a member of the cardiac glycosides. Doctors prescribe digoxin for some heart problems, such as certain kinds of heart failure and chronic atrial fibrillation. It helps the heart pump better and can also slow down some abnormal heart rhythms.

Lanoxin should only be used under medical supervision because digoxin can become toxic if the blood level is too high. Also, during treatment, doctors may check kidney function, electrolytes, symptoms, and sometimes blood levels.

What is Lanoxin 250 mcg?

Lanoxin 250mcg is a prescription tablet with 250 micrograms of digoxin. This medicine is from a class of medicines called cardiac glycosides. Digoxin works by affecting the heart’s electrical conduction and increasing the force of heart muscle contraction.

Lanoxin 250mcg Tablet is a scored (can be split) tablet for oral use. However, patients should not change, split, or adjust their dose unless specifically told to do so by their doctor or chemist.

Active substance

• Active ingredient: Digoxine
• Strength: 250mcg.
• Type of medicine: Cardiac glycoside
• Dosage Form: Tablets, Oral
• Availability: Prescription Only Medicine

What Does Lanoxin 250mcg Treat?

You may be prescribed Lanoxin by your doctor for certain heart problems.

Heart Failure

Lanoxin may help improve symptoms in adults with mild to moderate heart failure. It can increase the force of contraction of the heart and may improve exercise capacity in appropriate patients. But it is not a replacement for other medicines or lifestyle measures that a doctor may recommend for heart failure.

Persistent Atrial Fibrillation

In adults with chronic atrial fibrillation, Lanoxin is also indicated to control the ventricular rate response. So it can slow the heart rate when the top chambers of the heart beat irregularly.

How Does Lanoxin Work?

The main enzyme that digoxin acts on is Na-K ATPase. This makes more calcium available inside heart muscle cells, which can increase the strength of heart contraction. It also affects the autonomic nervous system and slows conduction through the AV node.

Lanoxin can therefore influence the heart rate as well as the strength of heart beat.

Lanoxin 250 mcg Dosage

The right dose depends on the individual. The doctor will decide what dose is right for you based on your age, weight, kidney function, other medicines and your medical condition.

Therefore do not choose 250mcg as a self-selected dose. Take Lanoxin exactly as directed. Do not take an extra dose to make up for a missed dose without professional advice.

Lanoxin Side Effects

Like other medicines, Lanoxin may cause side effects. Common issues reported may include:

• Nausea or vomiting
• Diarrhoea
• Light-headedness
• Visual problems
• Skin rash 3.
• Abnormalities of heart rhythm

Importantly, digoxin toxicity can cause nausea, vomiting, visual disturbances, and life-threatening cardiac arrhythmias. Risk factors include old age, low body weight, impaired kidney function and electrolyte abnormalities.

When to get medical help

Call your doctor right away if you have any unusual changes in vision, severe nausea or vomiting, fainting, severe dizziness, or signs and symptoms of an abnormal heart beat.

Precautions of Importance

Lanoxin can be dangerous if not carefully monitored by a doctor because the toxic levels of the blood can be close to the therapeutic levels. Because the medicine is cleared through the kidneys, kidney function is especially important.

Also tell your doctor about all other medicines and dietary supplements you use. Some medicines may affect digoxin levels or cause increased side effects. Doctors may also check potassium, magnesium, calcium, kidney function and other factors during treatment.

Lanoxin is contraindicated in patients with ventricular fibrillation and also in patients known to be hypersensitive to digoxin or to other digitalis preparations.

Closing Thoughts

Lanoxin 250mcg is a popular prescription medicine containing digoxin. It may have an important role in the management of some cases of heart failure and chronic atrial fibrillation. But it has to be carefully dosed and monitored because too much digoxin can be very toxic.

Follow all directions on the medicine label and package. Use this medicine only as directed by your doctor.