Just been prescribed this. Any experiences with problems?

[ETHEL103]

Digoxin

[Desanthony]

This was the only medication that didn't give me side effects - though the higher dose did the 62.5 dose or whatever it was didn't. Thankfully after my first successful cardioversion I was taken off that and am now just on apixaban (Eliquis). Now had 3 successful cardioversions and just realised this morning the third one last February has now lasted over a year - the record before that was 11 months for the first one.

Sorry I didn't make it clear earlier that I was on apixaban and digoxin and have carried on with the apixaban but not the digoxin after my first cardioversion. Prior to digoxin they had tried all sorts of different things: bisoprolol, verapamil and a couple of others and combinations but was worse taking them than without them. I then took the higher dose of digoxin for about 6 weeks but was not good on that and then the lower dose for about 6/7 weeks before my first cardioversion and that, at least didn't make me feel worse than I was without it.

[10gingercats in reply to Desanthony]

Apixaban and Digoxin do different things .Digoxin improves heart pumping i believe and Apixaban helps to reduce strokes in those with AF. I do hope you were not saying you had stopped Digoxin and this had been replaced by Apixaban.?Bob will correct me if i have got any of this wrong but i think my facts are correct.

[Desanthony in reply to 10gingercats]

No I was prescribed digoxin as well as apixaban at the beginning digoxin being the only thing that didn't give me side effects - actually making me feel worse than I was without medication. I have been on apixaban all the way through before the cardioversions and am still on it as my age, 77 indicates this and have no side effects from this. sorry I didn't make that clear.

[10gingercats in reply to Desanthony]

That's is alright .I was concerned re . any mis information being picked up by Ethel103

[Slidingdoors99 in reply to Desanthony]

It was clear to me! 😁

[ETHEL103 in reply to Desanthony]

Thankyou for clearing up and I read from that the Digoxin was OK for you at the lower dose. My GP said he would start me low and will check on me Monday.

[Desanthony in reply to ETHEL103]

That's really good because my cardio started me off on the higher dose and it was only when going to visit a friend who was head pharmacist at Boots HQ in Nottingham and she said she could get me some as her dad was on the lower dose I knew there was a lower dose - rang the cardio to get it changed and was fine from then until my cardioversion - infact managed to insulate the inside of my shed - which was hard work.

[ETHEL103 in reply to Desanthony]

I'm on 62.5mcg is this a low dose?

[Desanthony in reply to ETHEL103]

Yes, that's the lowest dose.

[Gilli54]

I found higher doses did not make me feel good. But the lower dose was fine. It can make you feel a bit strange. Like along with bisoprolol and in my case, warfarin, you can feel a bit over medicated. Beta blockers control rate and the digoxin I think makes the heart work slightly differently. Making it beat more strongly but more slowly. I came off it slowly after my cardio version. But as with all these drugs you have to get the dose right for you and weigh up the pros and cons.

[Flutterbird]

I was put on digoxin at first. Now on flecainide. I think the digoxin did make me feel a bit dizzy at first and I did get chest pain when I was on it but I think on the whole I felt better then than I do now on the flecainide.

[ETHEL103 in reply to Flutterbird]

Thanks for your reply. I shall wait and see.

[Ppiman]

Digoxin 125mcg was the only way that could be found to control my high pulse rate when I had persistent atrial flutter. It was a minor saviour and produced no side effects.

Steve

[ETHEL103 in reply to Ppiman]

Thanks Steve.

[Ppiman in reply to ETHEL103]

I suppose I should have said that I didn’t notice any side effects as, to be frank, the flutter and fast heart rate made me feel dreadful as well as deeply fearful of what might happen next.

It wasn’t a good experience! You have my sympathies.

Steve

[DevonHubby1]

When wife was hospitalised with a long spell of fast AF her Bisoprolol was increased and she was put on Digoxin. Eventually she was discharged after self reverting. At the 3 month follow up the Digoxin was removed as they said it was only need when she was in a long-term AF state.

[Tia666]

Hi I have been on digoxin for 10 years now 125mcg and have had no side effects that I am aware of x

[ETHEL103 in reply to Tia666]

Thanks.

[Crystalbowl]

I was prescribed 62.5 mcg Digoxin following a CRT pacemaker implant in October 2019. I am also on Nebivolol. This was originally 10 mg then reduced to 5 and now down to 2.5 because my circulation and breathing are very poor and we are trying different doses to see what effect it has on both those issues. So far, it doesn’t seem to have made any difference. I am also on Entresto, Riveroxaban, Spironolactone, Frusemide for me heart and Amatripilyne which I take for pain control because apart from persistent AF and HF, I also have PHN (post herpetic neuralgia) pain from shingles in 2019. It doesn’t help the pain but it does help me to sleep. So I don’t know with all these different meds how you know what is causing what side effects or what the ‘cocktail’ effect is.

[ETHEL103 in reply to Crystalbowl]

Thankyou.

[Hidden]

The thing with Digoxin is that the dose is critical. If your kidneys aren’t working as they should, then the dose may well need to be lowered.Your doctor may well check your blood level of digoxin, because the side effects of having too much can be unpleasant.

125 micrograms would be a standard dose for seniors, increasing to 187.5 micrograms if necessary.

62.5 micrograms is a low dose, appropriate often for frail older people or if kidney function is impaired.

If you experience nausea, vomiting or abdominal pain, or just feel generally unwell, you may be taking too much digoxin and your doctor would want you to ring her about it.

[ETHEL103 in reply to Hidden]

Thanks that's really helpful.

[t1cker]

Thank you so much for raising this question about Digoxin, Ethel103. I have persistent AF and was put on Digoxin when I ended up in A&E with a bad go of vey fast rate about two years ago. I take one and a half 125mg, so more or less 187.5mg per day and Apixaban. Like Desanthony I had tried all sorts of other heart meds, but they all made me feel ghastly. Digoxin is the best so far as it doesn't make me feel awful but it doesn't entirely control my ticker either! I think I would probably be a lot worse without it so I am hanging on and, thanks to wise words on this forum, I now have regular liver and kidney function tests.

[ETHEL103 in reply to t1cker]

This forum is fantastic isn't it? You realise your not alone and that's a reassuring feeling.

[t1cker in reply to ETHEL103]

Indeed it is! Many thanks to all.