The NHS is advising patients prescribed digoxin to contact their doctor if they experience two or more common side effects. Digoxin is a cardiac glycoside medication frequently used to treat various heart conditions, including irregular heartbeats, atrial fibrillation, and heart failure.
Digoxin works by slowing the heart rate while strengthening each heartbeat, improving the heart’s ability to pump blood efficiently throughout the body. Patients may receive digoxin in the form of tablets, liquid, or injections, often administered in a hospital setting.
While digoxin is effective in managing heart-related symptoms, it is also associated with several common side effects. Although many of these side effects are mild, the NHS emphasizes that experiencing multiple side effects could indicate excessive levels of digoxin in the blood, necessitating medical review.
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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 reported by more than one in 100 users include nausea, fatigue, dizziness, and palpitations. While these symptoms generally are not life-threatening, monitoring them closely is important.
In rare cases, digoxin can cause serious side effects such as severe palpitations, dizziness, and shortness of breath. If these occur, the NHS advises calling emergency services or going to the nearest Accident & Emergency (A&E) department immediately.
Patients taking digoxin should remain vigilant and consult healthcare professionals promptly if they notice multiple side effects or any serious symptoms.