Taking Digoxin: Your Daily Safety Guide

Check your pulse first

• Before each dose, rest, then count your pulse for 1 full minute.
• Write down the number.
• If your pulse is under 60, do not take the dose. Call your provider.
• Your care team's limit, if different: ____________.

Take it the right way

• Take digoxin once a day at the same time.
• Never take 2 doses to make up for a missed one. Ask your provider what to do.
• Take antacids (Tums, Maalox) at least 2 hours apart from digoxin.

Know the signs of too much digoxin

• Upset stomach, throwing up, or not feeling hungry
• Blurry vision, or seeing yellow-green colors or halos around lights
• Confusion or feeling very tired
• A slow or uneven pulse

Keep your potassium normal

• Low potassium makes digoxin more harmful. Water pills lower potassium.
• Take potassium pills if they are prescribed.
• Tell your provider about vomiting or diarrhea.

Keep your blood tests

• Blood tests check your digoxin level, potassium, and kidneys.
• On test days, ask whether to take your dose after the blood draw.
• Ask before any new medicine or supplement, including St. John's wort.