A slight chance of showers between 9pm and 3am, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 3am. Some of the storms could produce heavy rain. Cloudy, with a low around 58. East wind around 8 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%.
As per ACCF/AHA guidelines, a loading dose to initiate digoxin therapy in patients with heart failure is not necessary. 0.125-0.25 mg PO/IV qDay; higher doses including 0.375-0.5 mg/day rarely needed. Use lower end of dosing (0.125 mg/day) in patients with impaired renal function or low lean body mass.
In acute, intentional overdose, administration of 4-6 vials as a loading dose, followed by 0.5 mg/min for 8 hours and then 0.1 mg/min for about 6 hours, appears to be safe and effective. Initially administering half doses is the best approach in patients with chronic toxicity who are dependent on digoxin. This avoids completely reversing the clinical effects of digoxin and precipitating complications.