Lanoxin PG 62.5mcg Tablets Pack Of 200

LANOXIN(TM) TABLETS AND LIQUID

Digoxin
Consumer Medicine Information

What is in this leaflet?

This leaflet answers some common questions about LANOXIN.

It does not contain all the available information.

It does not take the place of talking to your doctor or pharmacist.

All medicines have risks and benefits. Your doctor has weighed the risks of you taking LANOXIN against the benefits they expect it will have for you.

If you have any concerns about taking this medicine, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
Keep this leaflet with the medicine.

You may need to read it again.

  • What LANOXIN is used for

    LANOXIN belongs to a group of medicines known as cardiac glycosides, and is used to improve the strength and efficiency of the heart, or to control the rate and rhythm of the heartbeat. This leads to better circulation and reduced swelling of hands and ankles in patients with the heart problems.

    Your doctor may have prescribed LANOXIN for another reason.

    Ask your doctor if you have any questions about why LANOXIN has been prescribed for you.

    There is no evidence that LANOXIN is addictive or habit forming.

    This medicine is available only with a doctor`s prescription.

    Before you take LANOXIN

    When you must not take it

    Do not take LANOXIN if you have an allergy to:

  • digoxin or other cardiac glycosides
  • any of the ingredients listed at the end of this leaflet.
  • Symptoms of an allergic reaction to LANOXIN may include:

  • shortness of breath, wheezing or difficulty breathing
  • swelling of the face, lips, tongue or other parts of the body
  • skin rash, itching or hives
  • Do not take LANOXIN if you have or have had any of the following medical conditions:

  • intermittent or complete heart block or second degree atrioventricular block, (conditions where the heart misses beats) especially if there is a history of Stokes-Adams attacks.
  • ventricular tachycardia and ventricular fibrillation (a type of irregular heart rhythm).
  • irregular heart rhythm caused by cardiac glycoside overdose.
  • certain other irregularities of heart rhythm.
  • Do not take LANOXIN after the expiry date (EXP) printed on the pack.
    Do not take LANOXIN if the packaging is torn or shows signs of tampering.

    If it has expired or is damaged, return it to your pharmacist for disposal.

    If you are not sure whether you should start taking LANOXIN, talk to your doctor or pharmacist.

    Before you start to take it

    Tell your doctor if you have allergies to:

  • any other medicines
  • any other substances, such as foods, preservatives or dyes
  • Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or intend to become pregnant.

    Pregnant women may require an adjustment of the dose of LANOXIN during pregnancy.

    LANOXIN may have harmful effects on the developing baby if the dose is too high.

    Tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding or plan to breast-feed.

  • Tell your doctor if you have or have had any medical conditions, especially the following:
  • Heart disease
  • Lung disease – the heart may be more sensitive to the effects of LANOXIN
  • Liver or kidney problems – effect of LANOXIN may be increased because of slower removal from the body
  • Thyroid disease – patients with low or high thyroid gland activity may be more or less sensitive to the effects of LANOXIN
  • Low levels of calcium, potassium or magnesium in the blood
  • If you have not told your doctor or pharmacist about any of the above, it is important to tell them before you start taking LANOXIN.

    Taking other medicines

    Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking any other medicines, including any that you buy without a prescription from your pharmacy, supermarket or health food shop.

    Some medicines and LANOXIN may interfere with each other.

    These include:

  • amphetamine, appetite suppressants, medicines for colds, sinus problems, hay fever or other allergies – may increase the risk of heart rhythm problems
  • calcium channel blockers, medicines used to lower high blood pressure or prevent angina, and are sometimes used to treat irregular heart beats (e.g. diltiazem, felodipine, nifedipine, verapamil)
  • phenytoin – a medicine used to control epilepsy
  • diuretics, medicines used to remove extra fluid from the body
  • some medicines used to treat high blood pressure
  • medicines used to treat a fast or irregular heart beat (e.g. amiodarone, flecainide, quinidine, procainamide, disopyramide, propranolol)
  • potassium supplements
  • some antibiotics (e.g. erythromycin, tetracycline, trimethoprim, neomycin, rifampicin, gentamicin)
  • some medicines for nausea or diarrhoea (e.g. metoclopramide, diphenoxylate with atropine, kaolin-pectin)
  • cholestyramine, a medicine used for high cholesterol
  • antacids
  • some laxatives, including fibre laxatives
  • indomethacin – medication used for inflammation, gout or arthritis
  • medicines for relieving asthma attacks or other breathing problems (e.g. salbutamol, terbutaline, salmeterol)
  • corticosteroids (e.g. hydrocortisone, dexamethasone, prednisolone, prednisone)
  • some medicines used by diabetics (e.g. insulin, glucagon)
  • St John`s Wort
  • St John`s Wort may interfere with LANOXIN.

    These medicines may be affected by LANOXIN, or may affect how well it works. You may need different amounts of your medicine, or you may need to take different medicines. Your doctor will advise you.

    How to take LANOXIN

    Follow all directions given to you by your doctor or pharmacist carefully.

    They may differ from the information contained in this leaflet.

    If you do not understand the instructions on the bottle, ask your doctor or pharmacist for help.

    How much to take

    Your doctor or pharmacist will tell you how much LANOXIN you will need to take each day. This depends on your condition and whether or not you are taking any other medicines.

    How to take it

    Tablets:

    Swallow LANOXIN tablets with a glass of water.

    Liquid:

    Shake the bottle well and accurately measure the dose with a medicine measure.

    Shaking the bottle and using a medicine measure will make sure that you get the correct dose. You can get a medicine measure from your pharmacist.

    After you begin taking LANOXIN your doctor may sometimes check its level in your blood. This will help your doctor find out if your dose needs to be changed.

    Do not change your dose of LANOXIN unless your doctor tells you to do so.

    When to take it

    Take LANOXIN at about the same time each day.

    Taking LANOXIN at the same time each day will have the best effect. It will also help you remember when to take it.

    It does not matter if you take LANOXIN before or after food.

    If you forget to take it

    If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the dose you missed and take your next dose when you are meant to.
    Otherwise, take it as soon as you remember, and then go back to taking your medicine as you would normally.
    Do not take a double dose to make up for the dose that you missed.

    This may increase the chance of you getting an unwanted side effect.

    If you are not sure what to do, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
    If you have trouble remembering to take your medicine, ask your pharmacist for some hints.

    How long to take it

    Continue taking LANOXIN for as long as your doctor tells you.

    LANOXIN helps control your condition, but does not cure it. Therefore, you must take LANOXIN every day.

    Do not stop taking it unless your doctor tells you to – even if you feel better.

    If you take too much (Overdose)

    Immediately telephone your doctor or the Poisons Information Centre (telephone 13 11 26), or go to Accident and Emergency at your nearest hospital, if you think that you or anyone else may have taken too much LANOXIN. Do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning.

    You may need urgent medical attention.

    Symptoms of an overdose to LANOXIN include some of the side effects listed below.

    Some early warning signs of overdose are loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, or extremely slow heart beat.
    In infants and small children, the earliest signs of overdose are changes in the rate and rhythm of the heart beat.
    Children may not show the other symptoms as soon as adults.

    While you are using LANOXIN

    Things you must do

    Tell your doctor immediately if you notice any side effects from LANOXIN.
    Tell any other doctors, dentists, and pharmacists who are treating you that you are taking LANOXIN.
    If you are about to be started on any new medicines, tell your doctor, dentist, or pharmacist that you are taking LANOXIN.
    If you plan to have surgery that needs a general anaesthetic, tell your doctor or dentist that you are taking LANOXIN.
    If you become pregnant while taking LANOXIN, tell your doctor immediately.
    If you need to have any medical tests while you are taking LANOXIN, tell your doctor.

    LANOXIN may affect the results of some tests.

    Be sure to keep all of your doctor`s appointments so that your progress can be checked.

    Your doctor will check your progress and may want to take some blood tests from time to time. This helps to prevent unwanted side effects.

    Things you must not do

    Do not give LANOXIN to anyone else, even if their symptoms seem similar or they have the same condition as you.
    Do not take LANOXIN to treat any other complaints unless your doctor tells you to.
    Do not stop taking LANOXIN, or change the dose, even if you are feeling better, without checking with your doctor.

    Do not take any other medicine without first consulting your doctor.

    Many over-the-counter (OTC) or non-prescription medicines contain ingredients that interfere with LANOXIN or that may make your condition worse. These medicines include antacids, laxatives, asthma remedies; cold, cough or sinus preparations; medicine for diarrhoea; weight reduction or diet medicines; and St John`s Wort.

    Things to be careful of

    Be careful driving or operating machinery until you know how LANOXIN affects you.

    LANOXIN may cause drowsiness, blurred vision, and faintness in some patients. Make sure you know how you react to LANOXIN, before you drive a car, operate machinery, or do anything else that could be dangerous if this happens.

    Side effects

    Do not be alarmed by this list of possible side effects.

    You may not experience any of them.

    Tell your doctor or pharmacist as soon as possible if you do not feel well while you are taking LANOXIN.

    LANOXIN helps most people with the conditions listed at the beginning of this leaflet, but it may have unwanted side effects in a few people. All medicines can have side effects. Sometimes they are serious, most of the time they are not. You may need medical treatment if you get some of the side effects.

    Young children or adolescents and the elderly may have an increased chance of getting side effects.

    Ask your doctor or pharmacist to answer any questions you may have.
    Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you notice any of the following:

  • skin rash
  • painful, swollen breasts, or breast enlargement in men
  • bleeding or bruising more easily than normal
  • These are the rare side effects of LANOXIN.

    If any of the following happen, tell your doctor or pharmacist immediately or go to Accident and Emergency at your nearest hospital:

  • loss of appetite, nausea or vomiting
  • lower stomach pain
  • diarrhoea
  • unusual tiredness or extreme weakness
  • slow or irregular heart beats (may be fast in children)
  • blurred vision or visual disturbances (e.g. coloured halos around objects ie. yellow, green, or white)
  • drowsiness
  • confusion
  • headache
  • fainting
  • palpitations, abnormal heart beats
  • slower or faster than usual heart rate
  • These may be serious side effects. You may need urgent medical attention. Serious side effects are rare or are caused by a dose of LANOXIN that is too high for you.

    Other side effects not listed above may occur in some patients.

    Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you notice anything that is making you feel unwell.

  • After taking LANOXIN

    Storage

    Keep your LANOXIN tablets in the pack and the liquid in the bottle until it is time to take them.

    If you take the tablets or liquid out of the pack, they will not keep well.

    Keep your medication in a cool dry place and protect from light.

    LANOXIN 0.250 mg Tablets and LANOXIN Paediatric Elixir 0.05 mg/ mL should be stored below 25 degrees C.
    LANOXIN 0.0625 mg Tablets should be stored below 30 degrees C.
    Do not store LANOXIN or any other medicine in the bathroom or near a sink.
    Do not leave it in the car on hot days or on windowsills.

    Heat and dampness can destroy some medicines.

    Keep it where children cannot reach it.

    A locked cupboard at least one-and-a-half metres above the ground is a good place to store medicines.

  • Disposal

    If your doctor tells you to stop taking LANOXIN or the medicine has passed its expiry date, ask your pharmacist what to do with any that is left over.

  • Product description

    What it looks like

    Tablets: (oral)

  • 0.0625 mg, blue marked WELLCOME U3A in bottles of 200.
  • 0.250 mg, white, scored, marked WELLCOME X3A in blister packs of 100.
  • Liquid: (oral)

  • 50 microgram per mL in 60 mL bottles with calibrated dropper. Do not dilute.
  • Ingredients

    Active ingredient:

  • Digoxin
  • Other ingredients:

    LANOXIN Tablets: lactose, maize starch, rice starch, and magnesium stearate.

    LANOXIN PG Tablets also contain povidone and indigo carmine – Cl73015

    LANOXIN Paediatric Elixir: sucrose 30%w/v, sodium phosphate, citric acid, ethanol, propylene glycol, quinoline yellow – Cl47005, methyl hydroxybenzoate.

    The Australian Product Registration Numbers for:

    LANOXIN Tablets, LANOXIN PG Tablets and LANOXIN Paediatric Elixir are AUST R 11109, AUST R 11108 and AUST R 42757 respectively.

    Supplier

  • Sigma Pharmaceuticals Pty Ltd
  • 1408 Centre Road
  • Clayton, Victoria 3168
  • Australia
  • (A.C.N. 004 118 594)
  • Telephone: (03) – 9839 2800
  • This leaflet was prepared in
  • March 2000.
  • ENQUIRE

    1800 200 736