Question

 

Choose a drug of particular interest to you that you would like to research. The drug may be either an OTC or prescribed medication. It can be of any classification and administered by any route. Ensure that you have sufficient resources (3 sources required) to complete your assignment.

 

In your assignment, present the following information in your own words:

 

1.      Name and classification of the drug.                                   (2)

2.      What are 3 common indications for this drug?                                                           (3) 

3.      How often is it taken?           (1)

4.      By which route(s) is it taken?            (1)

5.      Are there any special instructions for administration?        (2)

6.      Are there possible side effects?        (2)

7.      Are there any contraindications?     (2)

8.      Name the 3 sources you used for your assignment.            (3)

9.      Why did you choose this drug to research?  (2)

10.  What was the most interesting fact you learned about this medication?   (2)

Answer 1

1) Name & Classification of Drug:

Name: Digoxin

Classification: Cardiac glycoside

2) 3 Common Indications of Digoxin

·         To increase myocardial contraction in children diagnosed with heart failure

·         To maintain control of the ventricular rate in adult patients diagnosed with chronic atrial fibrillation

·         Treatment of mild to moderate heart failure in adult patients

3) How often is Digoxin Taken?

  - This drug is usually taken once a day with or without food (best taken around the same time each day)

4) By which route is it taken?

-Digoxin is taken orally with/ without food it comes either in the form of a tablet or a liquid or it can also be injected

5) Special instructions for administration

·         2hours prior to administering digoxin a diet rich in fiber should be eaten.

·         Medication should be taken at the same time each day.

·         Don’t stop taking the medication without being ordered to do so by the physician

·         Patients should have an awareness about the drug interactions with for example antibiotics, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)

6) Possible side effects:

·         Nausea

·         Vomiting

·         Headache

·         Blurred Vision

·         Loss of Appetite

·         Diarrhea

·         Dizziness

 

7)  Contraindications:

·         Ventricular fibrillation

·         Previous heart attack

·         Infection in the heart muscle

·         Quivering of the lower chambers of the heart

·         Myocarditis

  

8) 3 sources used for this assignment:

·         https://reference.medscape.com/drug/lanoxin-digoxin-342432

·         https://www.webmd.com/drugs/2/drug-4358/digoxin-oral/details

·         https://go.drugbank.com/drugs/DB00390

 

9)  Why I chose to research this drug

I love learning about new drugs especially ones which affect our hearts and Digoxin is a drug that is used in the treatment of mild to moderate heart failure as well as ventricular response control rate in chronic atrial fibrillation hence my reason for choosing to learn more about it.   

10) Most interesting fact I learned about Digoxin

What I found interesting when researching this drug were the complications that people may experience when taking this drug. One of the major complications/side effects of the drug is dizziness or blurred vision. Patients taking Digoxin may see yellow, green, or white spots around objects. Persons who drink alcohol or are substance abusers of drugs such as cannabis whilst taking digoxin may become dizzier due to the drug interaction.