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Digoxin

Prescription
Cardiac glycoside
Last reviewed 19 Apr 2026 · PetCare.AI Editorial Team
Species
Dog, Cat
Brands
3 available
Interactions
17 documented
Formulations
4

Mechanism of action

Inhibits Na+/K+-ATPase in cardiac myocytes, increasing intracellular calcium and enhancing contractility; also increases vagal tone to slow AV conduction

At a glance

Class
Cardiac glycoside
Schedule
Prescription
Storage
Store below 25°C, protect from light

Dosing

🐕

Dog

Supraventricular tachycardia / Dilated cardiomyopathy
Dose
0.005–0.01 mg/kg
Route
PO
Frequency
BID
Max dose
0.375 mg/dose; 0.75 mg/day
Duration: Long-term; check serum levels at 7–10 days
🐈

Cat

Supraventricular tachycardia (rarely used)
Dose
0.005–0.01 mg/kg
Route
PO
Frequency
EOD to SID
Max dose
0.0625 mg
Duration: Long-term; narrow therapeutic index
Educational reference only
This information is provided for educational purposes and is not a substitute for professional veterinary advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified veterinarian before administering any medication to your pet. Find a vet near you →

Formulations

💊

Tablet — 3

Strength
0.0625mg
Available in India
Strength
0.125mg
Available in India
Strength
0.25mg
Available in India
💊

Elixir — 1

Strength
0.05mg/mL

Storage

Store below 25°C, protect from light

Safety

Absolute contraindications — do not use

  • Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
    May worsen outflow obstruction
  • Hypokalemia
    Increases toxicity risk
  • Ventricular tachycardia

Use with caution

  • Renal impairment
    Dose reduction needed

Adverse effects

Common
Anorexia
Vomiting
Diarrhoea
Lethargy
Serious
Cardiac arrhythmias
AV block
Digoxin toxicity (fatal)

Monitoring parameters

Serum digoxin levels (target 1.0–2.0 ng/mL dog)Serum potassiumECGRenal function
Educational reference only
This information is provided for educational purposes and is not a substitute for professional veterinary advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified veterinarian before administering any medication to your pet. Find a vet near you →

Interactions

Major — 8

Furosemide
major
Furosemide-induced hypokalemia increases risk of digoxin toxicity (arrhythmias)
Management: Monitor serum potassium and digoxin levels closely. Supplement potassium if needed.
Diltiazem
major
Diltiazem increases digoxin serum levels by 20-35% and both have additive AV nodal depression
Management: Reduce digoxin dose by 25-50% when adding diltiazem. Monitor digoxin levels and ECG.
Hydrochlorothiazide
major
Thiazide-induced hypokalemia increases sensitivity to digoxin toxicity
Management: Monitor potassium closely. Supplement potassium if needed. Watch for digoxin toxicity signs.
Amiodarone
major
Amiodarone increases digoxin levels by 70-100% via P-glycoprotein inhibition, CYP3A4 inhibition, and reduced renal clearance.
Management: Reduce digoxin dose by 50% when initiating amiodarone. Monitor digoxin levels closely.
Quinidine
major
Quinidine reduces renal and non-renal digoxin clearance and displaces digoxin from tissue binding sites, increasing digoxin levels by ~100% (doubled).
Management: Reduce digoxin dose by 50% when adding quinidine. Monitor digoxin trough levels. Watch for digoxin toxicity (anorexia, arrhythmias).
Calcium Gluconate
major
Calcium increases myocardial sensitivity to digoxin by enhancing Na+/K+-ATPase binding. IV calcium in digitalized patient can precipitate fatal ventricular arrhythmias.
Management: Extreme caution with IV calcium in patients on digoxin. Give very slowly with continuous ECG. Correct hypokalemia first.
Isoproterenol
major
Isoproterenol increases myocardial excitability and automaticity. In digitalized myocardium, this greatly increases risk of fatal ventricular arrhythmias.
Management: Use extreme caution. If isoproterenol needed in patient on digoxin, continuous ECG monitoring mandatory. Consider temporary pacing instead.
Succinylcholine
major
Succinylcholine causes transient hyperkalemia (K+ release from muscle depolarization). In digitalized patients, hyperkalemia potentiates digoxin toxicity, risking fatal arrhythmias.
Management: Avoid succinylcholine in digitalized patients. Use non-depolarizing NMBA (rocuronium) instead.

Moderate — 9

Spironolactone
moderate
Spironolactone can increase digoxin levels by reducing renal clearance
Management: Monitor digoxin levels when adding spironolactone. May need digoxin dose reduction.
Phenobarbital
moderate
Phenobarbital induces hepatic metabolism, reducing digoxin bioavailability and increasing clearance.
Management: Monitor digoxin levels. May need digoxin dose increase.
Rifampicin
moderate
Rifampicin induces P-glycoprotein and intestinal CYP3A4, reducing digoxin bioavailability and increasing renal clearance.
Management: Monitor digoxin levels. May need to increase digoxin dose by 50-100% during rifampicin course.
Verapamil
moderate
Verapamil increases digoxin levels by 50-75% via P-glycoprotein inhibition and reduced renal clearance.
Management: Reduce digoxin dose by 33-50% when adding verapamil. Monitor digoxin levels.
Cyclosporine (Systemic)
moderate
Cyclosporine may increase digoxin levels via P-glycoprotein inhibition, reducing digoxin renal clearance.
Management: Monitor digoxin levels when adding cyclosporine.
Clarithromycin
moderate
Clarithromycin inhibits P-glycoprotein and may alter gut flora that inactivates digoxin, increasing digoxin levels by 50-100%.
Management: Monitor digoxin levels. Consider reducing digoxin dose by 25-50% during clarithromycin course.
Cholestyramine
moderate
Cholestyramine binds digoxin in the GI tract, reducing oral absorption.
Management: Separate by 2 hours. Give digoxin 1h before or 4h after cholestyramine.
Sulfasalazine
moderate
Sulfasalazine may reduce digoxin absorption from the GI tract.
Management: Separate administration by 2 hours. Monitor digoxin levels.
Neomycin
moderate
Oral neomycin reduces digoxin absorption by 20-30% by disrupting intestinal flora that partially metabolizes digoxin and by direct binding.
Management: Monitor digoxin levels during neomycin courses. May need temporary digoxin dose increase.
Educational reference only
This information is provided for educational purposes and is not a substitute for professional veterinary advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified veterinarian before administering any medication to your pet. Find a vet near you →

Brands

International

Lanoxin
Aspen

India

Digox
Zydus
Dixin
Cipla

FAQs

Frequently asked questions

What is Digoxin?
Digoxin is a cardiac glycoside used in pets. Inhibits Na+/K+-ATPase in cardiac myocytes, increasing intracellular calcium and enhancing contractility; also increases vagal tone to slow AV conduction
What is Digoxin used for in pets?
Digoxin is used in veterinary medicine for: Supraventricular tachycardia / Dilated cardiomyopathy; Supraventricular tachycardia (rarely used).
What is the Digoxin dose for dogs?
For dogs, Digoxin is typically dosed as follows — Supraventricular tachycardia / Dilated cardiomyopathy: 0.005–0.01 mg/kg PO BID. Always consult your veterinarian for a dose tailored to your pet's weight, age, and condition.
What is the Digoxin dose for cats?
For cats, Digoxin is typically dosed as follows — Supraventricular tachycardia (rarely used): 0.005–0.01 mg/kg PO EOD to SID. Always consult your veterinarian for a dose tailored to your pet's weight, age, and condition.
What are the side effects of Digoxin?
Common: Anorexia, Vomiting, Diarrhoea, Lethargy. Serious (call your vet immediately): Cardiac arrhythmias, AV block, Digoxin toxicity (fatal).
Does Digoxin need a prescription?
Yes. Digoxin is a prescription medication and should only be administered under veterinary supervision.
When should Digoxin not be used?
Do not use Digoxin if: Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy; Hypokalemia; Ventricular tachycardia.
Educational reference only
This information is provided for educational purposes and is not a substitute for professional veterinary advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified veterinarian before administering any medication to your pet. Find a vet near you →

References

References

The PetCare.AI drug reference is built from 13 authoritative sources cited across 580 drug monographs.

Textbooks & handbooks — 5

  • Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook
  • Withrow & MacEwen's Small Animal Clinical Oncology
  • Merck Veterinary Manual
  • NRC Nutrient Requirements of Dogs and Cats
  • Veterinary Pharmacology and Therapeutics (Riviere & Papich)

Clinical guidelines & consensus — 4

  • ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center Guidelines
  • AAHA Diabetes Management Guidelines
  • ASPCA Poison Control Guidelines
  • RECOVER CPR Guidelines

Journals & peer-reviewed studies — 2

  • EPIC Study (J Vet Intern Med 2016)
  • JVIM FAT CAT Study

Regulatory & approvals — 1

  • CDSCO Veterinary Drug Approval Registry (1969–2026)

Databases — 1

  • Washington State University VCPL MDR1 Database
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