Specimen

2 mL (1 mL min.) Serum from 1 Red Top (No Additive) tube. Do not use SST gel barrier tubes. Separate serum within 2 hours of collection. Ship refrigerated or frozen. Recommended specimen: Trough: just before the next dose is due at steady state. Peak : 6–8 hours after dose.

Usage

Digoxin is widely prescribed for the treatment of Congestive heart failure and disturbances of cardiac rhythm. Equilibrium of serum and tissue Digoxin levels occurs at 6 to 8 hours, hence blood specimens should be drawn atleast 6 to 8 hours after drug administration. The drug has a narrow therapeutic window which makes monitoring therapy mandatory. Symptoms of toxicity mimic Cardiac arrhythmias for which the drug is originally prescribed.