Head-to-head clinical analysis & difference comparison: details on mechanism of action, dosing, half-life, interactions, and maternal-fetal safety.
LANOXIN vs ACYLANID
Clinician-reviewed, head-to-head comparison of mechanism, dosing, pharmacokinetics, and safety profiles.
Last clinically reviewed: July 2026 · OpiCalc Medical Review Team
Inhibits Na+/K+ ATPase, increasing intracellular Ca2+ via Na+/Ca2+ exchange, enhancing cardiac contractility and reducing conduction through AV node.
Acylanid is a cardiac glycoside that inhibits the Na+/K+-ATPase pump, leading to increased intracellular sodium and calcium concentrations, which enhances myocardial contractility.
Heart failure (NYHA class II-IV) with reduced ejection fraction,Atrial fibrillation and atrial flutter for rate control (off-label: paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia)
Heart failure,Atrial fibrillation,Atrial flutter
0.125-0.25 mg orally once daily; loading dose 0.5-0.75 mg orally divided over 24-48 hours if rapid digitalization required.
0.1 mg IV bolus over 5 minutes, followed by 0.1 mg IV after 1 hour if needed; then 0.1-0.2 mg orally every 6-8 hours for maintenance. Maximum cumulative dose: 0.4 mg IV.
Terminal elimination half-life is approximately 36-48 hours in patients with normal renal function; prolonged to 3.5-5 days in anuria.
Terminal half-life 33–36 hours (anuric patients up to 110 hours); requires dose adjustment in renal impairment.
Primarily hepatic via CYP3A4 and renal excretion of unchanged drug; undergoes biliary excretion and enterohepatic recirculation.
Hepatic metabolism via hydrolysis and conjugation; not significantly metabolized by CYP enzymes.
Renal excretion of unchanged drug (60-80%) and biliary/fecal elimination (20-40%).
Renal (≈70% as unchanged drug), biliary/fecal (≈30%)
25-30% bound primarily to albumin.
25–30% bound to albumin.
Vd approximately 6-7 L/kg; indicates extensive tissue binding, particularly to cardiac muscle.
7.5–10 L/kg; wide distribution indicating extensive tissue binding.
Oral: 60-80%; Intravenous: 100%.
Oral: 70–85% (variable, dependent on gastrointestinal absorption).
GFR >50 m L/min: no adjustment; GFR 10-50 m L/min: reduce dose by 50% or use 0.125 mg every 48 hours; GFR <10 m L/min: reduce dose by 75% or use 0.0625 mg daily; monitor digoxin levels.
GFR <30 m L/min: reduce dose by 50% and extend dosing interval to every 12-24 hours. GFR 30-50 m L/min: consider 25% dose reduction. Monitor digoxin levels.
No specific Child-Pugh based dose adjustment; use caution in severe hepatic impairment due to potential toxicity; monitor levels.
Child-Pugh Class B: reduce dose by 25-50%. Child-Pugh Class C: use with caution, reduce dose by 50% and monitor levels. Not recommended in severe hepatic impairment.
Loading dose: 10-15 mcg/kg orally divided every 8 hours over 24 hours; maintenance: 5-10 mcg/kg/day orally in 2 divided doses; maximum 0.25 mg/day.
Loading dose: 10-15 mcg/kg IV over 5 minutes. Maintenance: 5-10 mcg/kg orally every 8-12 hours. Maximum daily dose: 250 mcg in children <2 years, 500 mcg in older children.
Start with 0.0625-0.125 mg orally daily; adjust based on renal function and drug levels; due to decreased lean body mass and renal clearance.
Initiate with 50% of usual adult dose due to reduced renal function and increased sensitivity. Maximum loading dose: 0.2 mg IV. Maintenance: 0.1 mg every 12 hours. Monitor electrolytes and ECG.
None; however, toxicity is common and potentially fatal. Not a formal black box warning due to age of drug.
None.
Toxicity risk: hypokalemia, hypomagnesemia, hypercalcemia increase sensitivity,Renal impairment requires dose adjustment,Digoxin immune Fab for life-threatening overdose,Pregnancy category C,Monitor serum levels and ECG
Risk of digitalis toxicity; monitor renal function and electrolytes; caution in hypokalemia, hypomagnesemia, and hypercalcemia.
Hypersensitivity,Ventricular fibrillation,AV block (unless pacemaker present),Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome with atrial fibrillation,Hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy,Hypokalemia or hypercalcemia (relative)
Ventricular fibrillation,Hypersensitivity to cardiac glycosides,Digitalis toxicity
High-fiber foods (bran) may decrease absorption; take digoxin 2 hours before or after high-fiber meals. Potassium-rich foods (bananas, oranges, spinach) can affect toxicity risk; maintain consistent intake. Avoid excessive licorice (glycyrrhizin can cause hypokalemia). Grapefruit juice may increase digoxin absorption; avoid large amounts.
Avoid high-potassium foods (bananas, oranges, spinach) unless directed; hypokalemia increases toxicity. Take with food to reduce GI upset. Do not take with high-fiber meals as may reduce absorption.
Digoxin crosses the placenta. First trimester: No increased risk of major malformations reported in human studies; animal studies show no teratogenicity at clinically relevant doses. Second/third trimester: Risk of fetal toxicity (bradycardia, arrhythmias) if maternal serum levels are supratherapeutic; therapeutic maternal levels are generally safe. Chronic use may be associated with reduced birth weight.
Acylanid is a cardiac glycoside with limited data in pregnancy. First trimester: No specific malformations reported, but potential for fetal cardiac effects due to mechanism. Second and third trimesters: Maternal toxicity (arrhythmias, electrolyte disturbances) may cause fetal hypoxia or growth restriction. Avoid toxicity. Category C.
Digoxin is excreted into breast milk in low concentrations. M/P ratio approximately 0.6–0.9. At typical maternal doses (0.125–0.5 mg/day), the estimated infant dose is less than 10% of the weight-adjusted neonatal maintenance dose, usually considered compatible with breastfeeding. Monitor infant for signs of digoxin toxicity (bradycardia, poor feeding, vomiting).
Acylanid is excreted into breast milk in low amounts (M/P ratio not established; estimated <1% of maternal dose). No adverse effects reported in nursing infants. Use with caution, monitor infant for bradycardia or arrhythmias.
Pregnancy increases glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and volume of distribution, which may lower serum digoxin concentrations; dose adjustments are often needed. Monitor serum levels and adjust dose to maintain therapeutic range (0.5–2.0 ng/m L). Consider increasing dose by 30-50% in later pregnancy if levels are low; postpartum dose may need reduction to prepregnancy levels.
Increased volume of distribution and renal clearance in pregnancy may reduce serum levels; monitor drug levels and adjust dose to maintain therapeutic range (0.5-2 ng/m L). Start at lower doses if hypokalemia or preeclampsia present.
Check serum digoxin level 6-8 hours after last dose; therapeutic range 0.5-2.0 ng/m L. Hypokalemia, hypomagnesemia, hypercalcemia increase toxicity risk. Use with caution in renal impairment (reduce dose). Monitor for bradycardia and arrhythmias. Avoid in patients with AV block (except pacemaker) or hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Loading dose: 10-15 mcg/kg lean body weight. Maintenance: 0.125-0.25 mg daily. Consider drug interactions with amiodarone, verapamil, quinidine, and macrolides.
Acylanid (lanatoside C) is a digitalis glycoside with rapid onset (IV 10-30 min) and moderate duration; use in atrial fibrillation with rapid ventricular response, especially in acute settings. Monitor renal function due to renal elimination; toxicity risk increases with hypokalemia, hypomagnesemia, hypercalcemia. Adjust dose in renal impairment (Cr Cl <50 m L/min). Therapeutic drug monitoring: target serum level 0.5-2 ng/m L (drawn >6-8 hours post-dose).
Take digoxin exactly as prescribed, usually once daily. Do not miss doses or double up.,Monitor pulse before each dose; hold and contact prescriber if heart rate <60 bpm.,Report symptoms of toxicity: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, blurred vision, yellow-green halos, confusion, or irregular heartbeat.,Avoid over-the-counter antacids, laxatives, or kaolin-pectin; they reduce absorption. Take digoxin 2 hours apart from such products.,Maintain consistent intake of potassium-rich foods (bananas, oranges) unless otherwise instructed. Avoid excessive salt substitutes.,Keep all appointments for blood tests (digoxin levels, potassium, kidney function).,Store at room temperature away from light and moisture.
Take exactly as prescribed; do not skip doses or double up. Missed dose: take if within 12 hours, otherwise skip.,Monitor for signs of toxicity: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, visual disturbances (yellow-green halos, blurred vision), confusion, irregular heartbeat.,Avoid OTC medications without consulting prescriber, especially antacids, laxatives, and antiarrhythmics.,Keep regular appointments for blood tests (digoxin level, kidney function, electrolytes).,Report weight gain >2 lbs/day, swelling, shortness of breath, or palpitations.
No interactions on record
No interactions on record
Explore head-to-head clinical comparisons of other medications in the same therapeutic classes.
Common clinical questions about LANOXIN vs ACYLANID, answered by our medical review team.
LANOXIN is a Cardiac Glycoside that works by Inhibits Na+/K+ ATPase, increasing intracellular Ca2+ via Na+/Ca2+ exchange, enhancing cardiac contractility and reducing conduction through AV node.. ACYLANID is a Cardiac Glycoside that works by Acylanid is a cardiac glycoside that inhibits the Na+/K+-ATPase pump, leading to increased intracellular sodium and calcium concentrations, which enhances myocardial contractility.. They differ in pharmacokinetic profiles, FDA-approved indications, and side effect profiles.
Potency comparisons between LANOXIN and ACYLANID depend on the specific clinical indication. These are both Cardiac Glycoside agents and are not directly interchangeable by dose. A physician or clinical pharmacist should guide any therapeutic switching decisions.
The standard adult dose of LANOXIN is: 0.125-0.25 mg orally once daily; loading dose 0.5-0.75 mg orally divided over 24-48 hours if rapid digitalization required.. The standard adult dose of ACYLANID is: 0.1 mg IV bolus over 5 minutes, followed by 0.1 mg IV after 1 hour if needed; then 0.1-0.2 mg orally every 6-8 hours for maintenance. Maximum cumulative dose: 0.4 mg IV.. Dosing should always be individualized based on indication, renal and hepatic function, age, and other patient factors.
No direct drug-drug interaction has been formally documented between LANOXIN and ACYLANID in current clinical databases. However, individual patient risk factors including other medications, organ function, and comorbidities should always be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider.
The maternal-fetal safety profiles differ. LANOXIN is classified as Category C. Digoxin crosses the placenta. First trimester: No increased risk of major malformations reported in human studies; animal studies show no teratogenicity at clinically relevant dose. ACYLANID is classified as Category C. Acylanid is a cardiac glycoside with limited data in pregnancy. First trimester: No specific malformations reported, but potential for fetal cardiac effects due to mechanism. Secon. Always consult a maternal-fetal medicine specialist before taking either drug during pregnancy or lactation.