This NHS content is written for people in England. Medicine names, availability, prescribing and services may differ in other countries.
Digoxin is a type of medicine called a cardiac glycoside.
It's used to control some heart problems, such as irregular heartbeats (arrhythmias) including atrial fibrillation.
It can also help to manage the symptoms of heart failure, usually with other medicines. It's normally recommended when these other medicines have not been enough to control your symptoms on their own.
It works by slowing down your heart rate and making your heart beat more strongly, which makes it easier for your heart to pump blood around your body.
Digoxin is only available on prescription.
It comes as tablets and as a liquid (sometimes called an elixir). It can also be given as an injection, but this is usually done in hospital.
View the original NHS website page ↗. Refreshed 19 August 2026.
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