Patient Medication Information: uses, side effects, how to take - Digoxin Injection C.S.D.
What is Digoxin Injection C.S.D. used for?
Digoxin Injection C.S.D. is used to:
- treat mild to moderate heart failure. Heart failure results when the heart cannot pump blood well enough to supply the body's needs. As a result, circulation becomes poor, and fluid can build up in the lungs and legs.
- control a fast or irregular heartbeat called atrial fibrillation.
It can be used alone or with other medications.
How does Digoxin Injection C.S.D. work?
Digoxin Injection C.S.D. contains the medicinal ingredient digoxin. If you have heart failure, digoxin can improve your heart's ability to pump blood. Better pumping of the heart will often improve symptoms such as shortness of breath. As a result, you may find it easier to go about your daily activities.
If you have a fast or irregular heartbeat, digoxin can slow down and control your heart rate.
What are the ingredients in Digoxin Injection C.S.D.?
Medicinal ingredients: Digoxin
Non-medicinal ingredients: Citric acid, ethyl alcohol, propylene glycol, sodium phosphate, and water for injection.
Digoxin Injection C.S.D. comes in the following dosage forms:
Liquid, 0.5 mg / 2 mL.
Do not use Digoxin Injection C.S.D. if:
- you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to digoxin or any of the other ingredients in Digoxin Injection C.S.D.
- you have an irregular heartbeat called ventricular fibrillation.
To help avoid side effects and ensure proper use, talk to your healthcare professional before you are given Digoxin Injection C.S.D. Talk about any health conditions or problems you may have, including if you:
- have an electrolyte disorder (imbalance in bodily salts) such as low levels of potassium or magnesium and low or high levels of calcium
have or have had heart problems such as
- a heart block
- heartbeat or heart rhythm problems including Sick Sinus Syndrome
- Wolff-Parkinson-White Syndrome (sudden fast heartbeats)
- heart failure
- inflammation of the heart muscle or lining around the heart
- a heart attack
are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Your healthcare professional will determine if Digoxin Injection C.S.D. is right for you.
- are breast feeding or plan to breastfeed. Digoxin Injection C.S.D. passes into breast milk.
- are over 65 years of age. You may be more likely to experience side effects from Digoxin Injection C.S.D. Your healthcare professional may have to adjust your dose or monitor you more closely.
- have kidney problems
- are currently taking other digoxin medication such as the tablet or oral solution dosage forms
- have thyroid problems
Other warnings you should know about:
Weight loss: Although digoxin has been prescribed to help some patients lose weight, it should never be used in this way. When used improperly, digoxin can cause serious problems.
Electrical Cardioversion: Electrical cardioversion is a procedure used to return an abnormal heartbeat to a normal rhythm. Tell your healthcare professional if you are planning to have electrical cardioversion. They may reduce your dose of Digoxin Injection C.S.D.
Blood tests and monitoring: Your healthcare professional may need to do blood tests while you are receiving Digoxin Injection C.S.D. These tests are to:
- make sure you are taking the right dose
- monitor the health of your kidneys
- measure the amount of electrolytes in your body
Your healthcare professional will decide when to perform blood tests and will interpret the results.
Tell your healthcare professional about all the medicines you take, including any drugs, vitamins, minerals, natural supplements or alternative medicines.
The following may interact with Digoxin Injection C.S.D.:
- other medicines used to treat irregular heartbeat such as flecainide, quinidine, amiodarone and propafenone
- steroid medicines such as prednisone, methylprednisolone, prednisolone, and dexamethasone
- calcium
- indomethacin, a medicine used to treat gout
- medicines used to treat fungal infections, such as itraconazole and amphotericin B
- alprazolam, a medicine used to treat mental health problems
- diuretics (water pills), such as hydrochlorothiazide, chlorothiazide, chlorthalidone, furosemide, triamterene, amiloride, and spironolactone
- medicines used to treat bacterial infections such as rifampin, erythromycin, clarithromycin, neomycin and tetracycline
- medicines used to treat stomach problems such as omeprazole, propantheline and diphenoxylate
- albuterol, a medicine used to treat breathing problems
- antacids or laxatives that contain aluminum, magnesium, or kaolin-pectin, such as Maalox, Rolaids, Mylanta, milk of magnesia
- sulfasalazine, a medicine used to treat arthritis
- medicines used to treat cancer (such as bleomycin, cyclophosphamide, cytarabine, doxorubicin, and procarbazine) and radiation therapy
- bupropion, a medicine used to treat depression
- medicines used to lower blood pressure called calcium channel blockers (such as bepridil, diltiazem, nifedipine and verapamil) and beta blockers (such as atenolol, carvedilol, metoprolol and propranolol)
- medicines used to lower high cholesterol such as atorvastatin, cholestyramine and colestipol
- cyclosporine, a medicine used to suppress the immune system
- medicines used to prevent seizures such as barbiturates and phenytoin
- metoclopramide, a medicine used to prevent nausea
- quinine, a medicine used to treat malaria
- succinylcholine, a medicine used to relax the body during surgery
- sucralfate, a medicine used to treat and prevent ulcers.
- thyroid hormones, used to treat thyroid problems
- St. John’s wort, an herbal medicine used to treat depression
- bran fiber
How Digoxin Injection C.S.D. is given:
- Digoxin Injection C.S.D. will be given to you by your healthcare professional.
- It will be given through a needle placed in a vein. This is called an intravenous (IV) injection. In some cases, it may be given through a needle placed in a muscle. This is called an intramuscular (IM) injection.
- Do not suddenly stop taking Digoxin Injection C.S.D. without talking to your healthcare professional. Stopping suddenly, even if you feel better, could make your condition worse.
- It may take several weeks to several months for Digoxin Injection C.S.D. to improve your heart function. Don't be surprised if your symptoms don't get better right away. Digoxin Injection C.S.D. is used to treat heart conditions that last for a long time, so you may be given Digoxin Injection C.S.D. for the rest of your life.
Usual dose:
Your healthcare professional will decide on the dose that is right for you and how often it will be given. Your dose will depend on your weight, age, how well your kidneys work and other medical conditions you might have, other medications you are taking and how well you respond to Digoxin Injection C.S.D.
Overdose:
If you think you, or a person you are caring for, have taken too much Digoxin Injection C.S.D., contact a healthcare professional, hospital emergency department, or regional poison control centre immediately, even if there are no symptoms.
Symptoms of an overdose include nausea, vomiting, decreased appetite, diarrhea, confusion, seizures, hallucinations, light "halos" around objects, green or yellow vision, fatigue, irregular heartbeats, and abnormally fast or slow heartbeats.
Missed Dose:
If you miss a scheduled dose and:
- it has been less than 12 hours, make sure the dose is administered as soon as possible.
- it has been more than 12 hours, the missed dose should not be administered. Instead, the next scheduled dose should be administered.
Doses should not be doubled. Tell your healthcare professional if you have missed your scheduled dose for 2 or more days.
What are possible side effects from using Digoxin Injection C.S.D.?
These are not all the possible side effects you may have when taking Digoxin Injection C.S.D. If you experience any side effects not listed here, tell your healthcare professional.
Side effects may include:
- decreased appetite
- nausea, vomiting
- diarrhea
- unusual tiredness or weakness
- headache
- dizziness
- decreased sex drive;
- enlarged breasts in males.
Serious side effects and what to do about them
| Symptom / effect | Talk to your healthcare professional | Stop taking drug and get immediate medical help | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Only if severe | In all cases | |||||
| FREQUENCY UNKNOWN | ||||||
| Allergic Reaction: difficulty swallowing or breathing, wheezing, drop in blood pressure, feeling sick to your stomach and throwing up, hives or rash, swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat | √ | |||||
| Neurological problems: severe headache, fainting, extreme drowsiness or dizziness | √ | |||||
| Arrhythmia (abnormal heart rhythms): rapid, slow or irregular heartbeat | √ | |||||
| Bradycardia (abnormally slow heartbeat) | √ | |||||
| Tachycardia (abnormally fast heartbeat): dizziness, light headedness, shortness of breath, racing heart | √ | |||||
| Visions changes: yellow-green vision, blurred vision | √ | |||||
| Hallucinations: seeing or hearing things that are not there | √ | |||||
| Mental health problems: anxiety, depression, abnormal behavior, speech or thoughts | √ | |||||
| Thrombocytopenia (low blood platelets): bruising or bleeding for longer than usual if you hurt yourself, fatigue and weakness | √ | |||||
| Skin reactions (such as rash, dermatitis, itching and/or hives) | √ | |||||
Serious side effects and what to do about them
| Symptom / effect | Talk to your healthcare professional | Stop taking drug and get immediate medical help | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cardiac toxicity (damage to the heart): chest pain, fatigue, heart stops beating, palpitations, shortness of breath, swelling in the legs and ankles, weakness | √ | ||
If you have a troublesome symptom or side effect that is not listed here or becomes bad enough to interfere with your daily activities, tell your healthcare professional.
Storage:
Store between 15 and 30°C. Protect from light and freezing.
Keep out of reach and sight of children.
If you want more information about Digoxin Injection C.S.D.:
- Talk to your healthcare professional
- Find the full product monograph that is prepared for healthcare professionals and includes this Patient Medication Information by visiting the Health Canada website: (https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/drugs-health-products/drug-products/drug-product-database.html); the manufacturer’s website www.sandoz.ca, or by calling 1-800-361-3062.
Sandoz Canada Inc.
Boucherville, Québec, Canada J4B 1E6
medinfo@sandoz.com
Last Revised: SEP 14, 2022.
Reporting Side Effects
You can report any suspected side effects associated with the use of health products to Health Canada by:
NOTE: Contact your health professional if you need information about how to manage your side effects. The Canada Vigilance Program does not provide medical advice. |