Medical Questions » Medicines Questions » Question No. 637
| Question: | My doctor has started me on a drug called Digoxin. What is this used for and does it have side effects? |
| Answer: | Digoxin (also known as Lanoxin) is one of the oldest drugs still in current use by doctors. It is used to strengthen the action of the heart and reduce irregular heartbeats. It is particularly useful in older patients with a mild degree of heart failure, and in children with inborn heart irregularities. It is very safe, and has very few side effects, and there is no reason why it should not be taken for many years on end.
Doctors sometimes take regular blood tests to determine how much of the drug is entering the bloodstream, and usually check patients taking the medication every few months to ensure they are receiving an adequate dosage, and that the heart condition is not deteriorating.
|
|
|
