The NHS is urging patients taking digoxin to promptly consult their doctor if they experience two or more common side effects linked to the medication. Digoxin, a cardiac glycoside, is frequently prescribed to treat various heart conditions such as irregular heartbeats, atrial fibrillation, and heart failure.
This medication functions by slowing the heart rate while strengthening each heartbeat, thereby improving the heart’s efficiency in pumping blood throughout the body. Digoxin is usually administered as a tablet, liquid, or injection, typically provided in a hospital setting.
While digoxin can be effective in managing heart symptoms, it may cause several common side effects. The NHS warns that having more than one of these side effects could indicate an excess of digoxin in the bloodstream, requiring medical advice.
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The NHS states: “Tell your doctor if you have more than two of the common side effects – it means you could have too much digoxin in your blood.”
Common side effects, which affect more than 1 in 100 people, may include nausea, dizziness, fatigue, and visual disturbances. Though usually mild, these symptoms should not be ignored if multiple occur simultaneously.
More serious side effects, although rare, include palpitations, severe dizziness, and shortness of breath. If these symptoms arise, the NHS advises calling emergency services or going straight to A&E without delay.
Patients taking digoxin should remain vigilant about their symptoms and seek prompt medical attention when necessary to ensure safe and effective treatment of their heart condition.