Digoxin or Diltazium ?

[Florence-Nightingale]

Hi everyone, my cardiologist wants to add in another medication to my regime she has offered me either Digoxin or Diltazium . I already take Bisoprolol and Apixaban. I know there has been some bad press recently regarding Digoxin, just wondered if anyone else had opinion on it.

[jeanjeannie50]

Hi Flo - I hate Digoxin, it made me feel spaced out and weepy! Before taking it I'd never felt like that in my life and haven't since I stopped it. Yet some people get on fine with this drug, it's all a case of what will suit you. Don't know anything about Diltazium I'm afraid.

Could you start with one drug and then perhaps try the other if the first didn't agree with you?

Jean

[Teresakelley in reply to jeanjeannie50]

Digoxin slowed my heart down enough to cope with sitting about but then I went on verapamil which is related to Diltazium and I now feel much better it takes your body time to adjust to these drugs .Good luck

[Florence-Nightingale in reply to Teresakelley]

Thank you both.

[cassie46 in reply to Florence-Nightingale]

I was on Digoxin for about 9 months along wih biso and rampril and a NOAC. Like jean I did not get on with it my memory seem to be affected and felt a bit spaced out. I was changed to Diltiazem and that was fine no side effects, that was 18 months ago. Would not take Digoxin again and yes it has had some bad press.

Cassie

[peaches0716]

For me it caused low heart rate and fainting spells. Beware if you already have low heart rate

[beardy_chris]

As I understand it and I'm not a pharmacist, both Digoxin and Diltiazem reduce the heart rate. Digoxin is not generally recommended for active people because it may slow the resting heart rate but doesn't slow active heart rates. Of course, that might be exactly the effect your cardiologist wants by combining it with Bisoprolol which also slows heart rate.

I think the adverse comments were related to the impact of Digoxin on active people and it tends to be recommended only for sedentary people. There was a report that suggested Digoxin impacted life expectancy. I'm afraid I don't have references. It might be worth asking your cardiologist about it but I'd be inclined to trust her expertise.

[Boysie12]

Digoxin is not good for long term uses and diltiazem i had problems with it sleepy all the time , did not want to eat my blood pressure was going up , how is your heart and how old are you depends

Diltiazem did not slow my heart rate at all .I used a atenolol 100 mg a day very good slow your heart ask your doctor

[Florence-Nightingale]

Thank you all for your replies. Boysie 12 I am 66yrs old and moderately active.

[cassie46 in reply to Florence-Nightingale]

When I saw my GP after my stay in hospitol with heartfailure an then diganosed with AF she did query why I had been given Digoxin, She mentioned it was for more elderly patients, I was 67 at the time and active. But the Cardio seemed to be dishing it out to anyone with AF regardless of age.

Cassie