Generic Name: Digoxin
Indications: Treatment of cardiovascular conditions such as heart failure and atrial fibrillation. Off-label uses for the drug also exist.
FDA Drug Category: C
Summary Recommendations: Digoxin is a prescription medication used to treat serious heart conditions. Treatment should not be stopped without guidance from your physician, even if you find out you’re pregnant during treatment. Digoxin interacts with medications, both over the counter and prescription, so talk to your doctor before taking any medications with digoxin. The effect of digoxin on the fetus is unknown so treatment with this drug should only be used if there are no other safer alternatives. Digoxin is also known as Cardoxin, Lanoxin, Lanoxicaps and Digitek.
General Precautions: Digoxin should be used as prescribed if you become pregnant. Contact your physician immediately to report the pregnancy. Digoxin does pass to the fetus through the placenta, but no birth defects have been reported. Digoxin interacts with medications, including supplements and herbal remedies, so never take any medications before asking your doctor about possible side effects or interactions.
If you have certain medical conditions you cannot take digoxin. Tell your doctor if you have recently suffered a heart attack, are diagnosed with kidney disease or a thyroid condition or suffered an electrolyte imbalance as these conditions can affect your digoxin treatment.
Effect While Trying to Conceive: Studies have not been completed on digoxin in regards to fertility, so no known fertility risks exist in either men or women.
Effects on Pregnancy: There is no evidence of birth defects associated with digoxin use during pregnancy. Animal studies have been completed, but no human studies are available so possible risks to the human fetus are relatively unknown. Pregnant women have been treated with digoxin during pregnancy without negative effects on the fetus or reports of birth defects of any kind. However, due to the possibility of unknown side effects or birth defects, digoxin should only be used if the prescribing physician feels the benefits of treatments outweigh the possibility of fetal effects.
Safe During Breastfeeding: Digoxin use is generally considered safe while breastfeeding. Only a small fraction of the drug passes to the infant in milk. However, due to the various dose levels currently used for treatment, breastfeeding women should discuss digoxin use with the prescribing physician before starting treatment or changing treatment.