Digoxin for Atrial Fibrillation User Reviews

• kimsh...
• October 19, 2009

"Please, please, please, help educate patients and families about this medication. My father had been on it for a number of years and developed toxicity this summer. He passed away within 2 weeks of my taking him to the ER for toxicity. We had never been informed of things to watch for. He had been taken off of the medication but then put back on it by mistake by medical professionals at the hospital, at double his previous dose. Reading all of this information available makes me very sad that we were not informed and should have been. Be as proactive as you can!"

• TEP
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 25, 2019

"My 91 y.o. relative recently diagnosed with AFib and on Metoprolol for 2 weeks which caused shortness of breath. Digoxin was prescribed as substitute. After 2 weeks, she suddenly be came disoriented... thought it was a stroke and went to ER. In the hospital she became combative and had hallucinations. Digoxin was discontinued and after sleeping 5 hours straight, was like a different person. Now out of hospital, still a little memory loss and (thankfully) not much recall of her combative behavior to the hospital staff (They were fantastic). Please have someone monitor you, especially if you are older, no matter what med... as a Dr. explained to me, clinical trials are typically done on much younger people and side effects may differ with the elderly."

• Sheri...
• September 12, 2011

"My 83 y.o. father was started on digoxin for atrial fibrillation. While it did great with controlling his heart rate it also caused him to have marked depression, anorexia and confusion. Thank heavens we went back to his PCP and they stopped it. "

• Pana
• Taken for 10 years or more
• August 9, 2019

"I was on Digoxin for over 10 years for chronic a-fib. I also have issues with my mitral and aortic valves. Recently I was given HCTZ because my mitral valve had gotten worse and they didn’t want fluid buildup. I began to feel so sick. I had just had my third pacemaker replaced, and thought it might be attributed to that. Went to ER and after much discussion and tests, found out I DIGOXIN TOXICITY!! My level was almost 3.0. This drug can take your life if mixed with another drug. Be aware, check on drug interactions yourself. I’m thankful to be here."

• jhopp...
• January 2, 2010

"This drug has caused edema in the lower legs since I have been using it, very painful when I put a finger for pressure on my skin from the knees down to the feet. I am considering going off this medication."

• Jackie
• August 7, 2020

"My husband was rushed to the E.R for high blood pressure and a high heart rate. The doctor prescribed Digoxin. I looked up this drug as well as the side effects, and it was better than another med his doctor tried to make him take. Digoxin was given in the hospital for one or two days. Came home and everything seemed fine. He woke up around 2:00am complaining he didn't feel well. His speech started slurring, his body starting shaking and right away we thought he was going into stroke mode! My husband started talking about his vision being blurry. Come to find out it's one of the side effects of this medication, the doctor also said he was low on potassium. This is also a side effect of Digoxin! Hopefully this will wear off. Research before you take ."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 10 years or more
• November 1, 2022

"I have been on digoxin for over 20 years for atrial fibrillation and I cannot say enough good things about it. I give it a 10/10 rating. I wish the younger Doctors had the experience I have seen with this medication. Most all of them just wrinkle up their nose and shake their heads when it is mentioned. For control of a-fib and congestive heart failure it should be given a second life and not just be forgotten. I am an MD, myself."

• Tuula...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• March 9, 2017

"I have suffered from tachycardia for 25 years. I was taking Atenolol 25mg for years until it did not really work anymore. My Harley street heart surgeon told me to take also digoxin 250mg. I noticed right away my heart was beating more regularly, more stable. After two weeks I was thinking was I supposed also take the Atenolol pills. And started also taking them. That was not good, I was back to tachycardia. I went back to see my doctor and told him that it was strange because first I thought that the new medication was working and then it did not work anymore. I asked if I have to take also the old medication Atenolol and he told me "YES". After some time I decided to give up Atenolol and Digoxin works better alone !!!"

• Angela
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• April 23, 2023

"I was put on this medication about 7 years ago. I have a-fib a lot and trouble with 2 valves, I also have Congestive heart failure. I didn't know about digoxin toxicity and interactions with other meds until a new heart doctor told me. But all in all, if I watch my meds, make sure I properly take the digoxin, and keep a check on my potassium and other levels, it has been a lifesaver for me. My a fib still is there but when I sit down and rest for a few seconds it goes away. My drug store looks out for meds that could interact. My advice would be to have your drug store check to make sure there are no interactions between your medications and do the research yourself for over-the-counter meds. I feel it has saved my life a few times. I have my levels checked every 3 months or if I'm worried I go to the hospital and explain the situation. Good luck and don't write it off, just be careful with it."

• Anonymous
• May 2, 2008

Lanoxicaps (digoxin) "This has been an excellent drug for my husband who has had an illeostomy since 1965 and then several years ago developed atrial fib. Because it metabilizes higher in the digestive tract, it was expecially good for someone without a colon. Unfortunately, Glaxo has decided to discontinue these capsules since Mar 2008. We are upset with them and cannot find an equivalent the metabalizes higher in the digestive tract."

• Nancy
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 15, 2021

"Was given this medication in 1980. My heart rate was quite high and had been since 1966. My heart rate became normal, but unfortunately I developed digoxin toxicity, ceased this medication on doctor's advice and had to put up with my high heart rate until I was diagnosed with hypertension in 2004."

• Fanny
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• February 22, 2023

"I took this drug for seven months for Atrial Fibrillation while waiting for an ablation. I am almost 70. It helped stabilize my heart rate as long as I was fairly static but once I started moving about it did not control the heart rate that well, but at least it got me through a difficult period. I found that I lost a lot of weight, around 10 kilos which I was pleased about! Now I am off it because I am in sinus rhythm but I have put the weight back on. I think it dampens your appetite. At one point I had a strange gait and my eyes were bleary. But on the whole, my experience was positive. If I need it again I will take it because I can’t take beta blockers."

• Anonymous
• December 11, 2011

"This medication saved my life. I had a heart rate that was so high it didn't register at the hospital. I am now going on 32, I took it every day for one year and have never had heart issues since."