CRITERIA
Ateneo de Davao University
Name of Student: _ALETHEA, BAYOG D. Course/Year/Section: _BSN-2A Subject: __PHARMACOLOGY_ Date: _09/28/2021
DRUG STUDY FORM
Drug Name Classification
Generic Name CHEMICAL: digoxin-
specific antigen-binding
fragments
Digoxin immune fab (ovine) PHARMACO
THERAPEUTIC: digitalis
glycoside antidote
Brand Name
PREGNANCY
CATEGORY: C
Digibind
Picture Indication
Indicated for the treatment of
patients with life-threatening
or potentially life-
threatening digoxin toxicity
or overdose. Although
designed specifically to treat
digoxin
overdose, a product very
similar to DigiFab
(Digibind) has been used
successfully to treat
life-threatening digitoxin
overdose7
. Since human experience is
limited, and the
consequences of repeated
exposure are unknown,
DigiFab is not indicated for
milder cases
of digitalis toxicity
E. Jacinto Street, 8016
Davao City
Mechanism of Action
Binds with digoxin molecules. The
resulting complex is excreted
through the kidneys. As the free
serum digoxin level declines,
tissue-bound digoxin enters the
serum and also is bound and
excreted.
Pharmacokinetics
ROUTE:
I.V.
ONSET:
15-30 mins
PEAK : Unknown
DURATION: 8- 12 hours
Side Effects/
Adverse Effects
Side effects:
fever, swollen glands, itching, joint
pain, or not feeling well;
a light-headed feeling, like you might
pass out;
heart problems--swelling, rapid weight
gain, feeling short of breath
Adverse Effects:
CV: Increased ventricular rate (in
atrial fibrillation), worsening of heart
failure or low cardiac output
Other: allergic reaction (difficulty
breathing, urticaria), febrile reaction,
hypokalemia
Pharmacodynamics
DigiFab binds molecules of digoxin,
making them unavailable for binding
at their site of action on cells in the
body. The Fab fragment-digoxin
complex accumulates in the blood,
from which it is excreted by the
kidney. The net effect is to shift the
equilibrium away from binding of
digoxin to its receptors in the body,
thereby reversing its effects.
Content: 35% ____
Nsg. Responsibility: 35% ____
Picture: 10% ____
Reference: 10% ____
Neatness/Format: 5% ____
Promptness: 5% ____
Total: 100% ___
Nursing Considerations/
Patient and Family Teaching
NURSING CONSIDERATIONS:
 Expect each 38-mg vial of purified
digoxin immune fab to bind about 0.5
mg of digoxin or digitoxin
 Reconstitute for I.V. use by dissolving
38 mg in 4 ml of sterile water for
injection to yield 9.5 mg/ml. Mix gently.
Further dilute with NS to a convenient
volume for I.V. infusion. For very small
doses, reconstituted 38 mg vial may be
diluted before with 34 ml of NS to yield
1 mg/ml.
PATIENT TEACHING:
 Inform patient of the purpose of digoxin
immune fab and how it will be
administered.
 Advise patient to notify you
immediately if she/he experiences
adverse reactions, especially difficulty
breathing and urticaria.
Reference: https://go.drugbank.com/drugs/DB00076; https://www.drugs.com/monograph/digoxin-immune-fab.html ;
http://www.robholland.com/Nursing/Drug_Guide/data/monographframes/D046.html ; https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK556101/