Description:

Digoxin 0.25mg (Aspen brand) is a cardiac glycoside used to treat mild to moderate heart failure (to increase the force of heart contractions and improve symptoms) and to control the ventricular rate in chronic atrial fibrillation or atrial flutter (to slow the heart rate). It works by increasing calcium availability in heart muscle cells, enhancing contractility, and slowing electrical conduction through the AV node.

Prescription:

• Prescription required; consult a physician before use (narrow therapeutic index—requires careful dosing and monitoring).

Therapeutic Category:

• Cardiac glycoside / Inotropic agent (for heart failure and supraventricular arrhythmias).

Active Ingredients/Composition:

• Digoxin 0.25 mg (250 micrograms) per tablet.

Variant:

• Standard 0.25 mg tablet (common strength; Aspen also supplies other digoxin forms like elixir or injection in some markets, but 0.25 mg tablet is the oral variant).

Consume Type:

• Oral (tablet form).

Directions/Usage:

Take once daily, at the same time each day, with or without food. Swallow whole with water.

• Adults (heart failure/atrial fibrillation): Maintenance dose usually 0.125–0.25 mg (125–250 mcg) daily; lower doses (e.g., 0.0625–0.125 mg) for elderly, renal impairment, or low body weight.
• Loading dose (rapid digitalization): 0.5–1 mg in divided doses over 24 hours (only under hospital supervision).
• Adjust dose based on serum digoxin levels (target 0.5–0.9 ng/mL for heart failure; 0.8–2 ng/mL for rate control), renal function, age, and clinical response. Regular ECG, electrolytes (especially potassium), and digoxin level monitoring required. Do not stop suddenly without medical advice.

Common Side Effects:

• Nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, headache, dizziness, fatigue, visual disturbances (yellow/green halos, blurred vision), confusion, or arrhythmias (bradycardia, AV block). Serious: Digoxin toxicity (symptoms include severe nausea, arrhythmias, confusion—seek immediate help).

Package Type:

• Blister strip of 10 or 28 tablets (common pack sizes in Ghana pharmacies).

Storage Advice:

• Store below 30°C in a cool, dry place, protected from light and moisture. Keep in original blister/packaging. Keep out of reach of children.

Safety Advice:

• Contraindicated in ventricular fibrillation, hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy (unless concurrent atrial fibrillation), or known hypersensitivity. Use extreme caution in hypokalemia (increases toxicity), renal impairment (reduce dose), elderly, or with interacting drugs (e.g., verapamil, amiodarone, diuretics—monitor levels). Toxicity risk higher with low potassium, low magnesium, or high calcium. Avoid abrupt discontinuation (rebound worsening). Pregnancy: Category C (use only if benefits outweigh risks). Breastfeeding: Passes into milk—monitor infant. Report nausea, vision changes, irregular heartbeat, or confusion immediately. Narrow therapeutic index—regular blood tests essential.

Product Substitutes:

• Lanoxin 0.25mg (original brand by Aspen in some markets)
• Digoxin 0.25mg generics (e.g., Exeter, Vega, or other importers in Ghana)
• Digon 0.25mg or similar local generics
• Other cardiac glycosides (e.g., digitoxin) rarely used. Consult a cardiologist or doctor for exact alternatives.

Manufacturer/Marketer:

• Aspen Pharmacare

Country of Origin:

• South Africa