Table of Contents
- 1 What is therapeutic digoxin?
- 2 What is the therapeutic range for digoxin in heart failure?
- 3 What is the therapeutic effect of digoxin?
- 4 When is the best time to check digoxin levels?
- 5 What should my digoxin level be if I have an irregular heartbeat?
- 6 How long does it take digoxin to reach a steady state?
What is therapeutic digoxin?
Digoxin is used to treat heart failure and abnormal heart rhythms (arrhythmias). It helps the heart work better and it helps control your heart rate.
What is the therapeutic range for digoxin in heart failure?
Digoxin serum concentrations greater than 1.2 ng/mL lead to an increased risk of mortality in patients with heart failure. Thus, the therapeutic range of digoxin concentration currently recommended for the treatment of heart failure is 0.5 to 0.9 ng/mL.
What is the therapeutic effect of digoxin?
Digoxin helps make the heart beat stronger and with a more regular rhythm. Digoxin is used to treat heart failure. Digoxin is also used to treat atrial fibrillation, a heart rhythm disorder of the atria (the upper chambers of the heart that allow blood to flow into the heart).
What is the range of therapeutic digoxin serum concentration?
The therapeutic range is 0.6 to 1.2 ng/mL. Levels of 4.0 ng/mL and above may be potentially life-threatening.
What happens if your digoxin level is outside the therapeutic range?
If your digoxin level is outside the therapeutic range, your healthcare provider may raise or lower your digoxin dose. If you have CHF and your digoxin levels are below the normal treatment range, you may develop symptoms of persistent heart failure: Fluid buildup in your lungs or your legs. Shortness of breath.
When is the best time to check digoxin levels?
-Determine serum digoxin levels at least 6 to 8 hours after the last regardless of the route of administration in order to allow sufficient time for drug distribution. -Optimal timing: 12 to 24 hours after a dose or initial loading dose. -If a loading dose is omitted, a digoxin level should be obtained after 3 to 5 days of therapy.
What should my digoxin level be if I have an irregular heartbeat?
Ask your healthcare provider what your test results mean for you. Results are given in nanograms per milliliter (ng/mL). If you are taking digoxin because of an irregular heartbeat, your therapeutic range may be between 1.0 and 2.0 ng/mL. But this range varies widely.
How long does it take digoxin to reach a steady state?
Time to Steady state: 5 – 10 days (possibly longer) – ESRD: 15 to 20 days. Toxic level: >2 ng/ml. Drawing levels: -Determine serum digoxin levels at least 6 to 8 hours after the last regardless of the route of administration in order to allow sufficient time for drug distribution.