Digoxin
Rate control in AF with heart failure or in sedentary patients. Loading dose then 62.5–250 micrograms daily; watch for toxicity.
On this page
Dose
| Situation | Dose |
|---|---|
| Rapid loading (IV) | 0.5 mg IV over 30 minutes, repeated after 4–6 hours to a total of 0.75–1 mg (specialist) |
| Oral loading | 0.5 mg then 0.25 mg 6–12 hours later |
| Maintenance | 62.5–250 micrograms daily, based on kidney function and age |
Cautions
- Toxicity: nausea, vomiting, confusion, yellow vision, any arrhythmia, worse with low potassium, low magnesium, kidney impairment, amiodarone or verapamil.
- Avoid in pre-excited AF (WPW).
Frequently asked questions
What are the signs of digoxin toxicity?
Nausea, vomiting, confusion, visual changes and arrhythmias, especially with low potassium or kidney impairment.
Used in these guides
Sources
Doses on this page are typical doses from the sources above. Always confirm with a current drug reference, the product leaflet and your hospital protocol, especially in children, pregnancy and kidney or liver disease.
For FCPS Part 1
Revising for FCPS Part 1? Digoxin is covered in our textbook chapter Antiarrhythmic and antianginal drugs, with practice MCQs.