ABSTRACT
To quantify extent of compliance in patients receiving digoxin by implementing an applied pharmacokinetic approach and to determine the percentage of patients with levels within therapeutic range. One hundred-nineteen patients, whom met the required criteria, were enrolled in this study. Based on their digoxin doses, they were divided into 4 groups. Group A took 1 tablet [0.25 mg] per day, group B received half a tablet [0.125 mg] each day, group C used 6 tablets per week, and group D took 5 tablets per week and two days were off the drug. A pharmacokinetic approach was used to predict the serum digoxin concentrations of patients and the expected levels were compared with the actual concentrations. 52.29% of patients were compliant. There was no significant difference between the compliant and non-compliant groups with regard to gender, age, and number of concurrent medications or duration of digoxin intake. However, with respect to their doses, a significant difference existed between 2 groups [p<0.01]. Patients in group D were more compliant [80.56%]. In addition, their serum digoxin concentrations were relatively more within the therapeutic range [89.66%]. Therefore, patients with the lowest frequency of digoxin intake were more compliant. The results of this study indicate that a considerable number of patients do not take digoxin as directed. Patients with the least frequency of digoxin intake were relatively more compliant