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Table 8-17

Drug and Dosage	Use	Action	Assessment: Side Effects
Digitoxin—digitalizing dose: PO 200 mcg twice/day; IM, IV 200–400 mcg; maintenance dose: PO 50–300 mcg daily	Heart failure: atrial fibrillation and flutter; supraventricular tachycardia	Increases force of cardiac contractility, slows heart rate, decreases right atrial pressures, promotes diuresis	Arrhythmias; nausea, vomiting; anorexia, malaise; color vision, yellow or blue
NURSING IMPLICATIONS: Hold medication if pulse rate less than 50 or over 120 ; encourage foods high in potassium (e.g., bananas, orange juice); observe for signs of electrolyte depletion, apathy, disorientation, and anorexia
Digoxin (Lanoxin)—digitalizing dose: PO 10–15 mcg/kg; IV 0.6–1 mg/kg; maintenance dose: PO 0.125–0.375 mg daily	See Digitoxin	See Digitoxin	See Digitoxin
NURSING IMPLICATIONS: See Digitoxin