DIGOXIN

[opal11uk]

Any thoughts on the drug Digoxin please. Currently my drug regime is not controlling my rates, resting rate should be 60 as set by my pacemaker but for the past 6 days it has been erratic, also finding that the diuretic I take is not dealing efficiently with my fluid overload. Due to see cardiac specialist nurse practitioner on the 4th September, and our last consult over a year ago it was mentioned that if the Bisoporal and Propanefone together did not work then Digoxin was the next choice. I would add that I was diagnosed with heart failure at that time. Also feel extremely dizzy but aware that could be a different matter.

[Af8b_futter]

So sorry to read about your situation, I have taken digoxin previously for rate control. It is very effective, it took my rate down to 48 BPM but I also take bisoprolol.3.75mg at night. I don't have a pacemaker just AF and recovering from a stroke, 13 months post now.

[opal11uk in reply to Af8b_futter]

Thank you.......I too had an A/F induced stroke 20 years ago so can empathise with you, best wishes for a good recovery x

[BobD Volunteer]

Your pacemaker only sets the bottom rate. Mine is also set at 60 but most of the time my rate is mid 70s.

[opal11uk in reply to BobD]

Thank you Bob x

[JerrysGirl3]

😟I'm just going to throw this out there, having had my own and two friends experiences to go by, but is the pharmaceutical company the same on the drugs that are not working well anymore ? The differences can be life threatening - same drug - different fillers. Have you recently refilled prescriptions? I was on bisoprolol fumerate for years then it was suddenly pulled from the market (a long time ago) and have been on metoprolol succ ER 50 mg twice a day. As of this moment I have no heart issues and I am quite unfamiliar with the treating meds, but I am very familiar with different fillers. I hope you get your answers and can then check this off one of innumerable lists ❤️❤️

[opal11uk in reply to JerrysGirl3]

I think you may well be right, I have been investigating this with Propenafone have been given a drug called Arythmol, main ingredient Propafenone but different 'fillers' and that is what I think maybe causing the dizzies x

[JerrysGirl3 in reply to opal11uk]

My friend had EIGHT additional fillers in an already overloaded medicine. Gets me sick. I'm sorry. Talk to pharmacist (tho they are bound by their drug retailers) and see if you can swap out a two week supply. Imagine if that was the issue 😳

[Ppiman in reply to opal11uk]

It must be contentious whether different drug formulations matter, even though there have been some issues that have made the news. Having worked in the industry for many years, if you saw these formulations being made, you would know that they all follow the required strict standards and the the "fillers" are inert compounds that hold the ingredients in suspension ready for release in the GI tract as required.

I suppose an issue that can more likely happen is tablet over-compression, but, again, QC techniques would normally find this before the drug was released for sale.

Steve

[opal11uk in reply to Ppiman]

Thank you. I will have a word with my grandson, he is a bio medical scientist and makes drugs. particularly in nuclear medicine at the moment so he can explain this to me.

[opal11uk]

Thank you Kerry, great advice, I will speak to them when the pharmacy opens on Tuesday (they are not open weekends and Bank Holidays) but I did speak with another pharmacy that has better opening times and they advised on the fillers as a possible cause. I hope your treatment is going well x

[Jonhel]

Digoxin worked very well for me when I was prescribed it almost a year ago. It made a big difference to my rate control and my breathlessness improved dramatically after I had taken it for a few weeks.

[opal11uk in reply to Jonhel]

Thank you, most encouraging, the breathlessness and dizzies are really disconcerting and I feel unwell with this every day. I have had the dizzies investigated before and nothing could be found, I know I am suffering fluid overload so maybe an increase in diuretics would help. All to be discussed at next appointment on the 4th September.

[Dudtbin]

it was digoxin that put me into nsr, i have persistent af and am on sotalol, they added digoxin in hospital and it stopped af straight away. I’m also on entresto and spironalactone which seem to have sorted the ‘heart failure’.

[opal11uk]

That sounds brilliant and reassuring because the Digoxin is the next step if my current combination isn't working. At the moment mu H/R is doing its own little jig, I am again breathless and very dizzy, and still in heart failure....my appointment is 4th September so all will be reassessed then.

[JOY2THEWORLD49 in reply to opal11uk]

Hi

BBs didn't control myy heart rate.Metoprolol 186bpm Day and pauses at night showed up on H/monitor. Best test.

1 year half I demanded H/Specialist.

Changed to Bisoprolol. Another 24hr monitor 134, No pauses at night.

10months left stil uncontrolled.

New Locum said Dr Wong best. Go privately so I did.

And I did.

Intrduced to CCB Diltiazem. Dropped to 51 on half 180 dose.

Too much.

Twinked through NZ Heart Foundation. Nurse knew specialist. Had med reduced to 120mg CD.

Tokd importantly to reduce Bisopropol for BP and to separate them.

Now for 2.5 years..

AM 120mg Diltiazem for H/Rate. Checked ny a further heart monitor

PM 2.5mg Bisoprolol for BP

Pradaxa 110 x twice day.

Stable but stil persistent AF. Stopping when exerting. Sleep whenever well.

In Sept STROKE 2019 Embolic, Rapid & Persistent AF and within 4 days Thyroid removed with 12 lymphs 2 affected.

cherio JOY. 75. (NZ)

[opal11uk in reply to JOY2THEWORLD49]

Oh wow, thats quite a history Joy, thank you for your reply x

[Puzzled8]

I have been in permanent af for past 2 years. I couldn’t tolerate higher dozes of Bisoprolol and it didn’t make any difference in any case. For the past 4 months, I have been on 2.5mg Bisoprolol and 125mg Digoxin. The difference has been amazing - resting heart rate down to 70s from 90s or 100+. I now have more energy and haven’t noticed any side effects. I still get breathless at times .

[opal11uk in reply to Puzzled8]

Thank you so much for your reply.

[Igotrhythm]

Greetings Opal11uk from Canada.

I've been on digoxin for about 2 years. Like you bisoprolol left me short of breath and dizzy. I've had heart health issues all my life. Digoxin works well for me. It's an old medication and it has to be monitored with a simple blood test. I can now balance on my electric scooter and ride all over town. Hopefully it will give you back some quality of life should you end up using it.

Smile, breathe and go slow. Enjoy

[opal11uk in reply to Igotrhythm]

Thank you, you have made me think that it's the 10mg of Bisoporal that could be causing the dizzies, will look into this when I have my appointment. Enjoy scootering around lol x

[Snowgirl65]

I was on Digoxin for a while with no adverse effects. I did have to stay in the hospital for 3 days beforehand though to get readings on which dosage would be best.

[JudyMarieC]

I've been in permanent afib since early 2021 and have been on digoxin since July, 2021. It works well in keeping my heart rate in the 60s and 70s with no apparent side effects. My cardiologist monitors my levels once a year. I also have had a pacemaker since 2019. It kicks in if my heart rate goes below 50.

[opal11uk in reply to JudyMarieC]

Yes, same here with pacemaker, good to know that all is well on Digoxin so I will approach the prospect now with an open mind after all of the positive replies I have received x

[DiyChas]

What level of bisoprolol are you on?Ask your medical person if raising it slightly might help.

I was on digoxin and had it stopped due to side effects.

[opal11uk in reply to DiyChas]

10mg daily Bisoporal.......shame about Digoxin, this has been the only negative I have received.

[opal11uk]

Thank you Jim