Abstract: Objective To provide a basis for prescribing the rational digoxin dose for elderly outpatients. Methods All outpatients in Peking University shougang hospital who had been prescribed digoxin during 1 Jun. 2015 to 31 Aug. 2015 were eligible for the study. The samples were limited to adults aged 65 and older. The 2015 American Geriatrics Society (AGS) Beers Criteria was used to evaluate the doses of digoxin, which is recommended no more than 0.125 mg per day. The actual dosages of digoxin were confirmed with the included people by phone. Results Of 94 digoxin prescriptions, there are 62 prescriptions for elderly outpatients. Prescriptions of digoxin doses including 0.50 mg·d^-1, 0.25 mg·d^-1 and≤0.125 mg·d^-1 account for 3.22%, 90.32% and 6.46%, respectively. However, by telephone interviewing some patients, we found that the actual doses of digoxin including 0.50 mg·d^-1, 0.25 mg·d^-1 and≤0.125 mg·d^-1 account for 0%, 15.62% and 84.38%, respectively. We also found that the inconsistency between the doctor’s prescription doses (0.25 mg·d^-1 or 0.5 mg·d^-1) and the recommended doses (≤0.125 mg·d^-1) was associated with the inconsistent dosage between the prescription doses of doctors and actual doses of patients. Conclusion Digoxin’ single strength, no unbundled dispensing medications of outpatient pharmacy and without limitation of digoxin dose for elderly outpatients in hospital information system are the main reasons of outpatient prescription digoxin doses higher than the recommended dose. Hence, the rationality of prescribing digoxin dose requires manufacturers, outpatient pharmacy, hospital information system and medical professionals to work together to make it.

Key words: elderly outpatient, digoxin prescription, 2015 Beers criteria