Digoxin

Digoxin

by Gemita - 2023-02-10 06:43:38

Hello FletchP,  I took Digoxin for Atrial Fibrillation (AF) when I started my arrhythmia journey.  

I was told Digoxin, a fairly heavy weight medication, is sometimes tried instead of a beta blocker since it shouldn’t reduce blood pressure during heart rate control quite as much as would a beta blocker.  

As you may know, blood pressure cannot be controlled (prevented from falling) by our pacemakers, so if our blood pressure is reduced too much, too quickly while trying to treat any high heart rates, this can also cause difficult symptoms for many of us, including dizzy spells.

As to the interaction with fibre, as long as we take our fibre a few hours before or after ingestion of Digoxin, we should be okay.  Just try not to take it at the same time as taking Digoxin so that you will not lose any benefit from this med.  High fibre foods would be something like whole grain cereals, (for example, oat bran, porridge), wholemeal breads, wholemeal pasta, brown rice, nuts, seeds.   Low fibre foods would be white bread, white rice.  In fact anything refined!  Also fish, chicken, eggs, so there is a lot you can eat at the same time as taking Digoxin.

Please don't get too concerned about what you can and cannot eat with Digoxin, since they will be testing your blood levels of the medication periodically to make sure that the right amount of the med is in your blood stream.  Good luck and I hope it helps you

Thank you!

by FletchP - 2023-02-10 09:15:44

Thanks very much Gemita, youve put my mind at rest. Many thanks

Digoxin Interactions

by Penguin - 2023-02-10 09:43:14

Hi Fletch, 

Firstly I'd say that it's best to speak to your doctor or pharmacist if you don't understand what you can and can't eat / drink with any drug.

I see that Gemita has provided a rounded answer to your main questions. 

 A quick explanation of why fibrous food isn't helpful with digoxin and how to take fibre is here: 

'Fiber Rich Foods: Foods rich in fiber like wheat bran muffins and psyllium interact with digoxin and reduce the absorption of digoxin from the digestive tract. So take digoxin 1 hour before or 2 hours after eating foods that are rich in fiber.'

 https://www.medindia.net/drugs/drug-food-interactions/digoxin.htm. 

Many thanks Penguin

by FletchP - 2023-02-10 10:05:18

Thanks Penguin for the link.

i did ask my pharmacist but she wasnt sure, so Im glad of this info.

Always check if unsure

by Penguin - 2023-02-10 16:21:42

Hi Fletch, 

The info in that link sounded about right to me, but I'm not medically trained. Always check drug info with the prescriber in the first instance. The prescriber is responsible for explaining to you how to take any drug prescribed and knows your conditions and other drug doses / conditions and how these might affect digoxin. 

I haven't taken digoxin but it's clearly a significant drug with many interactions listed - makes me feel cautious about handing out internet links. Sorry to sound preachy but safety first - check with your prescriber! 

Best Wishes