DIGOXIN
(DIDGE-OX-IN)
(Brand name: LANOXIN® PEDIATRIC ELIXIR)
CONTENT
Purpose of Digoxin (Lanoxin)
Side effects
Giving the medicine
Missed or vomited dose
How long to give Digoxin (Lanoxin)
Call the doctor if…
Special instructions
The prescription
PURPOSE OF DIGOXIN (LANOXIN)
1. Helps the heart pump stronger in a slower and more regular way.
2. Treats children with heart failure.
SIDE EFFECTS
1. An irregular heart beat and a decreased ability of the heart to pump blood.
2. Vomiting.
3. Diarrhea.
4. Sleepiness.
5. If your baby has any of these side effects, CALL THE BABY’S DOCTOR.
GIVING THE MEDICINE
1. Draw the medicine up in a syringe.
2. Give this medicine on an empty stomach.
3. Do not lay your baby flat to give the medicine. Elevate (lift) your baby’s head and shoulders slightly to prevent gagging.
4. Place the medicine halfway back in your baby’s mouth and to the side or allow the baby to suck it from a nipple.
5. Digoxin is the only medicine we advise giving directly into the baby’s mouth without mixing with formula. This is possible because the dose is very small.
6. Give the Digoxin slowly; allow your baby time to swallow.
7. Digoxin should be given at the same times every day, usually every 12 hours. This helps keep an even level of Digoxin in your baby’s blood.
8. If your baby does not swallow all of the Digoxin, do not repeat the dose. Wait until the next scheduled dose is due and give the regular dose.
MISSED OR VOMITED DOSE
1. The medicine should be given as ordered by the baby’s doctor.
2. If you forget a dose give the medicine at the next regularly scheduled time.
3. Do not make up for a missed dose by doubling or increasing the next dose.
4. One missed dose is usually not a problem.
5. If the baby vomits the dose or you have any questions, CALL THE BABY’S DOCTOR FOR INSTRUCTIONS AND ASSISTANCE.
HOW LONG TO GIVE THE DIGOXIN
1. Do not stop the Digoxin without a doctor’s order.
CALL THE DOCTOR IF…
1. Your baby misses or vomits a dose of medicine.
2. Your baby becomes sick with a cold or flu.
3. Your baby has a loss of appetite, diarrhea or vomiting.
4. Your baby’s general condition worsens; becomes pale, puffy, or has to work harder to breathe.
5. Repeated vomiting should be brought to the doctor’s attention within 12-24 hours.
SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS
1. KEEP ALL MEDICINES OUT OF THE REACH OF CHILDREN.
2. ACCIDENTAL SWALLOWING OF DIGOXIN CAN BE FATAL. Store Digoxin in a safe place (a locked cabinet, if possible) out of the reach of curious children.
3. If accidental swallowing occurs, take the child to the nearest emergency room immediately. Take the medicine bottle so the doctor can see what the medicine was and its strength.
4. Ipecac syrup can be given to make the child vomit. It is recommended that parents have Ipecac syrup at home for emergencies.
THE PRESCRIPTION
1. You may be given a prescription to fill when the baby is discharged or you may be given some of the medicine to take home.
a. Make sure you have some medicine for the baby’s next dose when the baby is discharged from the hospital.
2. Always check the medicine when you get it from the pharmacy (drug store).
3. It should be labeled with the same name and same dosage that your baby was getting in the hospital.
4. The medicine’s instructions will tell you:
a. The mg’s or cc’s to give (mg=miligrams)
b. How to give the medicine
c. How often to give the medicine.
5. Use a 1 cc or a 3 cc syringe to draw up this medicine. You will be given at least one syringe to take home.
6. Parents should always keep at least a week’s supply of each of the baby’s medicines on hand.
7. Call your baby’s doctor if more medicine is needed and you do not have a refill on the prescription.
8. The local drugstore pharmacist may also be able to help you obtain refills.
Reviewed/Revised: 04/98…..06/13
Digoxin 4