Digoxin

[Canariesfan]

Hi

Has anyone had a really bad side effect from taking this! I have only taken 2, 125 mgs over the past couple days. Woke up at 0330 this am. Heart in rapid palpitations, feeling sick and dizzy. As you can imagine at the moment I feel terrible. Washed out, still dizzy and a thumping headache. All of these, I’ve read, are side effects from this awful drug! I know it’s fine for some people. As I’ve only taken 2 tablets I am not going to take anymore. I’m currently on Flecainide and Apixaban. Doing not too badly till now, a second ablation is booked for 24th October.

As always thank you in advance.

[Olliemonty58]

I'm on them. Don't feel any side effects as yet only been on them 4wks. Good luck x

[Hidden]

Digoxin certainly does nothing good for me either. It does have undesirable effects for some people. I won't take it

[Canariesfan in reply to Hidden]

Hi Yatsura. Did you have side effects similar to mine? Also, how long were you taking it?

[Hidden in reply to Canariesfan]

I would say that my side effects were sick, dizzy and depressed and I am normally a very upbeat person. In addition it did nothing to stop my crazy heartbeat. It's been tried on me several times. I remember being on it for a few weeks several years ago ( how time flies !)and took myself off them . I had IV digoxin probably over 12 months ago on the Emergency ward to try to get me out of fast AF. It was not successful and made me feel very low. Since then I have refused to take it.

[Bettiehough]

I also had Side effects and had to stop them.

[Hidden]

I don’t think it is right to describe Digoxin as an awful drug.

Millions have benefited from taking it over the last 100+ years. I believe it is still on the WHO list of essential medicines. In western medicine it is rarely given as a new prescription except,to elderly inactive patients or to prevent atrial flutter with flecainide for example. There are now better, safer (and much more expensive) drugs available.

It can be very toxic if not prescribed and monitored correctly. Your dose will be 125 micro grams, not milligrams, and after 2 doses prescribed by your cardiologist with your flecainide, presumably for good reason, it would be very unusual to have this reaction.

Are you sure this was not your usual nocturnal AF?

Having said that, nothing is impossible, however unlikely, and you are right to stop it until you have spoken to your GP.

I am not criticising you but there will many on this site who take digoxin quite happily. But to restate, regular monitoring is essential.

[Eirecara in reply to Hidden]

Hi, can you comment what ‘better, safer drugs’ are available. The only other drugs I know of are, flecanide and amiodrone ( the latter def not safer in my opinion) My cardiologist is talking about giving me digoxin, so if there’s something else out there I would love to know. Many thanks in advance ☘️

[Hidden in reply to Eirecara]

Sections 1.6.10 - 1.7.6 of the NICE guidelines may help answer your question.

nice.org.uk/guidance/cg180 (see recommendations for management)

I have had Sotalol and Propafenone for paroxysmal AF without any problems though Sotalol is no longer recommended as first line by NICE

DIgogin on it’s own is less used now for AF because it does not always work as effectively for more active people. Also it has a “narrow therapeutic index”, and it is necessary to adjust the dose depending on tests for kidney function including potassium. Taking a diuretic at the same time can lead to low potassium which is a problem when digoxin is being taken. The blood level of digoxin can be measured to allow accurate dosing.

Digoxin is sometimes added to Flecainide if there is concern about the latter provoking atrial flutter.

[etheral]

Your potassium should ne checked More likely to cause these sx if low

[Canariesfan]

Sorry, didn’t mean to upset anyone about my comments about Digoxin. It is very obviously a drug that suits so many people. As we all know getting these meds right is a bit of a minefield. Excuse wrong dosage comment. Felt so bad yesterday, nothing was making any sense! Hi

[Fastbeat]

Been taking digoxin 125mcrg for quite a few months plus other meds,but no problems like you mention,have had check ups blood tests since all ok

[jackdrum]

It has been years ago, but I was put on Lanoxin which is the same drug as Digoxin. Don't remember how long it took to start, but I started having abdominal and back pain.

I suffered with this for about 5 years before I figured out what was causing it.

Stopped the Lanoxin and the pain stopped also after about 10 days.

It was a terrible time of my life. This drug can cause some people severe side effects.