Lanoxin

The generic for Lanoxin is Digoxin. Lanoxin is mainly used for a lot of conditions related to the heart. In fact, the Lanoxin drug is used for treating congestive heart failure, some conditions of irregular heartbeat, and a lot of other heart problems. What the Lanoxin drug actually does is improve your heart’s efficiency, pertaining to the circulation of blood to your organs. Lanoxin also attempts to reduce the swelling that is inevitable when people are suffering from congestive heart failure.

When prescribed, Lanoxin is often paired with two other drugs: a water pill and an ACE inhibitor. A water pill is also known as a diuretic, which has a basic function of ridding the body of excess fluid. A water pill is prescribed with Lanoxin because a person can breathe easier when the lungs have less fluid. Less fluid also helps your body get rid of unnecessary swelling as well.

An ACE inhibitor, on the other hand, inhibits the formation of angiotensin II. The acronym “ACE” actually stands for angiotensin converting enzyme. Angiotensin II can cause the arteries to tighten or constrict, to the point of increasing one’s blood pressure. An ACE inhibitor inhibits this action, or prevents this action from happening. When this action is inhibited, the arteries are made to relax, thus, lowering one’s blood pressure. This is precisely why Lanoxin is taken with an ACE inhibitor.

Aside from these facts, there are still a number of important facts to remember about Lanoxin. Once you start taking Lanoxin, don’t ever stop taking it unless prescribed by your doctor. You see, Lanoxin is a drug one would most likely take for the rest of his life, as soon as he has started taking it. When Lanoxin is suddenly missing from the person’s system, this can cause a turnabout of events in the cardiovascular system. The heart condition just might worsen in this case.

Generally, Lanoxin is taken once a day. So, it helps to have a consistent daily schedule as to when Lanoxin should be taken. This helps you remember to really take it, because it is not recommended to miss a dose of it.

If you do miss a dose though, and you remember the missed dose within 12 hours of the time you were supposed to take it, you should take the dose right away. However, if it’s beyond 12 hours already, it’s better to miss the dose altogether already. Just retain your schedule instead. It is not advisable to take two doses at the same time. If, by chance, you do miss your doses for more than two or more days already, consult your physician right away. The sudden absence of Lanoxin can really be harmful.

And, just like any other drug, Lanoxin also has side effects on any patient. In general, these are the side effects of Lanoxin. One may experience blurry vision, changes on heartbeat, diarrhea, nausea, appetite loss, vomiting, lower stomach pain, and in the more serious cases, psychosis and an inclination towards apathy.

There are also times when a patient should not be prescribed with Lanoxin. This is especially true when you are allergic to the drug Lanoxin. Be sure to inform your physician of your allergies beforehand. Lanoxin should not be administered to people who have a condition termed as ventricular fibrillation. This condition pertains to heart irregularity. Taking Lanoxin just might worsen this condition.

Also, when you’re taking Lanoxin and you’re about to have dental treatment or surgery, be sure to inform your physician before the process takes place. Lanoxin just might have side effects that you want to avoid during the surgery.

When you have Lanoxin in the house, take extra measures to keep it out of reach from children. This drug, when taken in by children, can prove to be fatal. Thus, it is of import that the drug be kept from their reach at all times.