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� ------Cardiac and Circulatory------ �
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� A. Digitalis Preparations �
� B. Dipyridamole �
� C. Disopyramide �
� D. Inderal �
� E. Isoxsuprine �
� F. Nitrates �
� G. Procardia �
� H. Sansert �
� �
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DIGITALIS PREPARATIONS
BRAND AND GENERIC NAMES (Generic name in capitals)
Crystodigin Gitaligen
Crystogin GITALIN
Digifortis Lanoxicaps
Digiglusin Lanoxin
DIGITALIS Natigozine
DIGITOXIN Novodigoxin
DIGOXIN Purodigin
BASIC INFORMATION
Habit forming? No
Prescription needed? Yes
Available as generic? Yes
Drug class: Digitalis preparations
USES
Strengthens weak heart-muscle contractions to prevent
congestive heart failure.
Corrects irregular heartbeat.
DOSAGE AND USAGE INFORMATION
How to take:
Tablet or capsule--Swallow with liquid. If you can't
swallow shole, crumble tablet or open capsule and take
with liquid or food.
Liquid--Dilute dose in beverage before swallowing.
When to take:
At the same time each day.
If you forget a dose:
Take as soon as you remember up to 12 hours late. If
more than 12 hours, wait for next scheduled dose (don't
double this dose).
What drug does:
Strengthens heart-muscle contraction.
Delays nerve impulses to heart.
Time lapse before drug works:
May require regular use for a week or more.
Don't take with:
Non-prescription drugs without consulting doctor.
See interaction column and consult doctor.
POSSIBLE ADVERSE REACTIONS OR SIDE EFFECTS
Symptoms What To Do
Life-threatening:
None expected
Common:
Appetite loss, diarrhea Continue. Call doctor
when convenient.
Infrequent:
Drowsiness, lethargy, Discontinue. Call doctor
disorientation. right away.
Rare:
Rash, hives Discontinue. Call doctor
right away.
Double or yellow- Continue. Call doctor
green vision; when convenient.
enlarged, sensitive
male breasts;
tiredness; weakness.
OVERDOSE
Symptoms:
Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, vision disturbances with
halos around lights, irregular heartbeat, confusion,
hallucinations, convulsions.
What to do:
Dial 0 (operator) or 911 (emergency) for an ambulance or
medical help. Then give first aid immediately.
See emergency information.
WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS
Don't take if:
You are allergic to any digitalis preparation.
Your heartbeat is slower than 50 beats per minute.
Before you start, consult your doctor:
If you have taken another digitalis preparation in past
2 weeks.
If you have taken a diuretic within 2 weeks.
If you have liver or kidney disease.
If you have a thyroid disorder.
If you will have surgery within 2 months, including
dental surgery, requiring general of spinal anesthesia.
Over age 60:
Adverse reactions and side effects may be more frequent
and severe than in younger persons.
Pregnancy:
Studies inconclusive on harm to unborn child. Consult
your doctor.
Breast-feeding:
Drug filters into milk. May harm child. Avoid.
Infants and children:
Use only under medical supervision.
Prolonged use:
No problems expected.
Skin and sunlight:
No problems expected.
Driving, piloting or hazardous work:
Possible vision disturbances. Otherwise, no problems
expected.
Discontinuing:
Don't stop without doctor's advice.
Others:
No problems expected.
POSSIBLE INTERACTION WITH OTHER DRUGS
Generic Name or Class of Drugs Combined Effect
Albuterol Increased risk of
heartbeat irregularity.
Amiodarone Increased digitalis
effect.
Antacids Decreased digitalis
effect.
Anticonvilsants Increased digitalis
(hydantoin) effect at first, then
decreased.
BASIC INFORMATION
Habit forming? No
Prescription needed? U.S.: yes - Canada: No
Available as generic? Yes
Drug class: Coronary vasodilator
USES
Reduces frequency and intensity of angina attacks.
Prevents blood clots after heart surgery.
DOSAGE AND USAGE INFORMATION
How to take:
Tablet or capsule - swallow with liquid. If you can't
swallow whole, crumble tablet or open capsule and take
with liquid.
When to take:
1 hour before meals.
If you forget a dose:
Take as soon as you remember up to 2 hours late. If
more than 2 hours, wait for next scheduled dose (don't
double this dose).
What drug does:
Probably dilates blood vessels to increase oxygen to
heart.
Prevents platelet clumping, which causes blood clots.
Time lapse before drug works:
3 months of continual use.
POSSIBLE ADVERSE REACTIONS OR SIDE EFFECTS
Symptoms What to do
Life-threatening:
None expected.
Common:
None expected.
Infrequent:
* Dizziness, fainting, Discontinue. Call doctor
headache. right away.
*Red flush, rash, Continue. Call doctor
nausea, vomiting, when convenient.
cramps, weakness.
What to do:
*Dial 0 (operator) or 911 (emergency) for an ambulance
or medical help. Then give first aid immediately.
*If patient is unconscious and not breathing, give
mouth-to-mouth breathing. If there is no heartbeat, use
cardiac massage and mouth-to-mouth breathing (CPR).
Don't try to make patient vomit. If you can't get help
quickly, take patient to nearest emergency facility.
*See emergency information.
WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS
Don't take if:
You are allergic to dipyridamole.
You are recovering from a heart attack.
Before you start, consult your doctor:
If you have low blood pressure.
If you have liver disease.
Over age 60:
Begin treatment with small doses.
Pregnancy:
No proven harm to unborn child. Avoid if possible.
Breast-feeding:
No proven problems. Consult doctor.
Infants and children:
Not recommended.
Prolonged use:
No problems expected.
Skin and sunlight:
No problems expected.
Driving, piloting or hazardous work:
Avoid if you feel dizzy. Otherwise, no problems
expected.
Discontinuing:
Don't discontinue without doctor's advice until you
complete prescribed dose, even though symptoms diminish
or disappear.
Others:
Drug increases your ability to be active without angina
pain. Avoid excessive physical exertion that might
injure heart.
POSSIBLE INTERACTION WITH OTHER DRUGS
Generic Name or Drug Class Combined Effect
Anticoagulants (oral) Increased anticoagulant
effect. Bleeding
tendency.
