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Why is it important for patients taking digitalis to take their pulse prior to taking the medication each day?
Wiki User
∙ 10y ago
Digoxin blocks the AV node, decreasing the heart rate. If your heart rate is already too slow (less than 60 beats a minute), the medication can decrease the heart rate to a dangerous level.
Wiki User
∙ 14y ago
Wiki User
∙ 10y agoDigitalis is a heart medication. It is a good idea to know how the heart is doing before medicating it.
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How are digitalis heart medicines impacted by calcium channel blockers?
Digitalis heart medicines: Taking these medicines with calcium channel blockers may increase the action of the heart medication.
What precautions should be observed while taking digitalis drugs?
Seeing a physician regularly while taking digitalis drugs is very important. The physician will check to make sure the medicine is working as it should and will make any necessary changes in dosage
A patient taking digitalis would probably have what type of disease?
Answer is C. heart disease
What happens if you don't take hypothyroid medication?
If you're taking daily thyroid medication to treat your condition, it's important to take your medication as prescribed by your doctor. This is because taking it properly reduces the risk for complications and it increases your medication's overall effectiveness.
Digitalis toxicity?
DefinitionDigitalis is a medication prescribed to certain heart patients. Digitalis toxicity is a complication of digitalis therapy, or it may be occur when someone takes more than a large amount of the drug at one time. (This is called an acute ingestion.)The most common prescription form of this medication is called digoxin. Digitoxin is another form of digitalis.Causes, incidence, and risk factorsDigitalis toxicity can be caused by high levels of digitalis in the body, or a decreased tolerance to the drug. Patients with decreased tolerance may have "normal" digitalis levels in their blood.Digitalis toxicity can occur from a single exposure or chronic overmedication, or it may occur in patients with normal blood levels of digitalis if other risks are present.People with heart failure who take digoxin are commonly given medications called diuretics, which remove excess fluid from the body. Many diuretics can cause potassium loss. Low levels of potassium in the body increase the risk of digitalis toxicity. Digitalis toxicity may also result in persons who take the drug and who have low levels of magnesium in the body.Risks include taking digitalis medications such as digoxin or digitoxin along with medications that interact with digitalis such as quinidine, verapamil, amiodarone, and others.Reduced kidney function will cause digitalis to build up in the body rather than be removed normally through urine. Therefore, any disorders that disrupt kidney functioning (including dehydration) make digitalis toxicity more likely.SymptomsConfusionIrregular pulseLoss of appetiteNausea, vomiting, diarrheaPalpitationsVisual changes(unusual) Blind spots in visionBlurred visionChanges in color perceptionHalos or rings of light around objectsSeeing lights or bright spotsAdditional symptoms that may be associated with digitalis toxicity include:Decreased consciousnessDecreased urine outputDifficulty breathing when lying downExcessive nighttime urinationOverall swellingSigns and testsThe heart ratemay be rapid or slow and may be irregular.An ECG is done to check for irregular heart beats.Blood tests will be done to check:BUN and creatinine (which help reveal kidney function)Digoxin and digitoxin levelsPotassium levelMagnesium levelSee also:Blood chemistryDigoxin - testDigitoxin - testTreatmentIn an emergency, assist breathing as needed (see CPR) and get professional medical help.Arrhythmias are treated according to which arrhythmia develops.If toxicity is due to a recent, acute single exposure, treatment may involve:Activated charcoalTube through the mouth into the stomach to wash out the stomach (gastric lavage)Digitoxin blood levels may be lowered with repeated doses of charcoal, given after gastric lavage.Methods to cause vomiting are usually not performed because vomiting can worsen slow heart rhythms.In severe cases, medications called digoxin-specific antibodies may be prescribed. Hemodialysis may be required to reduce the levels of digitalis in the body.Expectations (prognosis)The outcome varies depending on the extent of toxicity and arrhythmias that develop.ComplicationsArrhythmias, which may be deadlyHeart failureCalling your health care providerCall your health care provider if you are taking a digitalis medication and symptoms of digitalis toxicity develop.PreventionDigitalis blood levels should be monitored regularly if you are taking digitalis medications. Blood chemistries should also be monitored to detect conditions that make digitalis toxicity more common.Potassium supplements may be prescribed if you take diuretics and digitalis together, or a potassium-sparing diuretic may be prescribed.
What are the drug interactions associated with taking horsetail?
People taking digitalis-type drugs should consult their health practitioner before taking horsetail.
What aftercare is associated with dermabrasion?
.an ointment may be applied. will begin taking an antiviral medication. Patients are encouraged to wash their face with plain water and reapply ointment. may require a pain medication. steroid medication may be taken.
Why is it important to tell the anesthesia about medication a person is taking?
The medication can have adverse effects on the anesthesia possibly leading to cardiac arrest and death.
What type of information is available on the Ranexa website?
The information on the Ranexa website explains that it is a medication for chronic angina for adults. This includes safety instructions which should be read prior to taking the medication. The website informs patients of how the medication can change the lifestyle of angina sufferers.
How soon after initiation of drug therapy is it reasonable to expect a therapeutic response from an tranquilizer?
Patients may start to feel some sedative effects of a tranquilizer within hours of taking the medication, but a full therapeutic response typically takes a few days to weeks. It's important for patients to follow their healthcare provider's instructions and give the medication time to take effect before expecting significant improvements in their symptoms.
How do patients stop taking barbiturates?
People taking barbiturates should not stop taking them suddenly without first checking with the physician who prescribed the medication. It may be necessary to taper the dose gradually to reduce the chance of withdrawal symptoms.
Why do patients taking pain medication become stressed?
For patients being treated for pain, knowing the duration of activity of an analgesic leads to anxiety about the return of pain when the drug wears off. This anxiety can make the pain more severe.
