digoxin

[Blueflags]

Hi everyone, went into AF and landed up in A/E last Thursday, have been on 10mg bisoprolol daily for a while. I was given magnesium and metoprolol through a drip. I was told that if that doesn’t work they would start me on Digoxin. My question!! Is digoxin a safe drug and if anyone else is on it, did it work for you. I’m always wary of taking new drugs!! Thank you in advance of your help 😊

[Porageface]

Three questions actually

Yes it is safe but blood level monitoring in perpetuity to prevent poisoning is required whatever NICE may say.

Some here take it, try asking them that one question about effectiveness. Personally not.

If prescribed be reassured, extracts from the Digitalis plant date back 3 centuries and Lanoxin 80 years. It was in they top five of global prescriptions for 6 decades of the twenty century.

Finally if you are given it and are subsequently started on a diuretic, it is even more important to get your urea and electrolytes checked alongside the 6 hour post digoxin dose level: Diuretics commonly cause low levels of potassium which will need correcting

Edit: I’m so sorry, I meant to say I’d never taken Lanoxin (so clearly never had any side effects, of which there are legion), I hope this clarifies the ambiguity herein

By the way, I rage against the moon when someone often in the media says I cannot understate the importance of tonight’s derby between Millwall FC and Charlton Athletic in League Division One Football. Although on reflection this could have been superb irony.

As Bill Shankly might have said, but didn’t, wordsmithery, you’ve got to love it ….

[Blueflags in reply to Porageface]

Thanks for your reply, interesting! Will do a bit more research and ask questions from Dr.

[wilsond in reply to Porageface]

(?)

[Borderterriorist]

Yes, I take digoxin. Admitted to A&E with a high HR and rhythms all over the place, 3 lots of Metroprolol then digoxin and HR eventually brought down by 10mg of bisoprolol and sent home 2 days later. Unfortunately my HR didn't settle so I was prescribed a loading dose of digoxin and a tiny dose with 5gm bisoprolol am and 5gm of bisoprolol pm. It has worked for me and my HR is pretty settled. Re blood tests, I spoke to my GP, she said not to worry as I have regular checks and my next one is pretty soon. I haven't had any side effects that indicate toxicity, if I had GP would do a blood test immediately. I think the important thing is to look out for any side effects. I've been on digoxin for nearly a month and I feel so much better.

[Blueflags in reply to Borderterriorist]

Okay, thanks that’s great, I think most people are generally nervous of taking a new drug so it gives me a bit more confidence.

[Tykelady in reply to Blueflags]

My experience is much the same as the of Borderterrorist but I have been on both for over a year now. I do have so many other health problems that the bisoprolol and digoxin are only two of many.

[Blueflags in reply to Tykelady]

Oh dear, sorry to hear you have other health issues, there’s always something isn’t there, hope you’re okay at the moment x

[Desanthony]

Low dose digoxin was the only one that worked for me. I wasn't on it for very long before my first successful cardioversion and when I went back into AF they didn't put me back on it. I would take it again. As for checks wile on the drug your consultant and GP should be able to sort that betwee them - mine always do. I would have been checked 6 monthly when on apixaban (anticoagulant) and digoxin and am checked annually anyway on Apixaban. So felt well looked after.

[Blueflags in reply to Desanthony]

Good to hear thanks, I think the checks and monitoring are important!

[wilsond]

First,why were you in A and E?

Second why are you being put on a high rate of beta blocker, is your HR high,

Third Why are you not on a rhythm control drug if AF is bothersome?

Fourthly ,what is the plan going forward, when will you be reviewed as to effectiveness?

Best wishes xx

[Blueflags in reply to wilsond]

Hi Wilson, I called 111 and they sent an ambulance out and as my heart rate was spiking to around 191 they took the decision to take me to A/E, my beta blocker was increased last year from 7.5mg (bisoprolol) to 10mg whilst in A/E and I’ve been on that ever since, I am now going to see a consultant privately to discuss and review my medication and what other options are available to me, thank you for your reply 😊

[wilsond in reply to Blueflags]

Good idea,you will get time to discuss properly the way forward

[JaneFinn]

My father in law has been on digoxin for many years, starting when his AF went persistent, then permanent, in order to bring his heart rate down to a nice safe level. He takes it along with warfarin and Bisoprolol, and he’s very happy with his medication regime and never seems to have any problems.

Good luck with it. I’m like you, I hate starting any new meds, so I sympathise xx

[Blueflags in reply to JaneFinn]

Thank you JaneFinn, yeah I think any medication isn’t ideal but needs must at times 😊😊

[secondtry]

I would do some more research here and elsewhere before writing down a list of questions (incl. what are the drug options) to ask your cardiologist and make sure you write down the answers.

This approach should at the very least reduce anxiety which itself feeds AF.

[Blueflags in reply to secondtry]

Totally agree, I am on holiday at the moment and am going to see my GP when I get back to discuss a plan to control my anxiety, I have had three weeks of a lot of stress/anxiety and I’m convinced this is feeding the A/F ☹️☹️

[30912]

Yes, I'm on it, just a low daily dose 62.5mcg plus 5mg Bisoprolol (but only on it for 3 weeks so far. Does it work for me? No and yes. I'm sitting here at 6am in Afib for the last 12 hours so it hasn't prevented AF starting but my underlying HR, despite AF kicking off at around 130, seems to settle to an irregular 80/90. So I'm guessing the combination is doing some good overall. But no side effects and feel quite 'normal' outside of AF. When in NSR, resting HR is 50. Before the daily Digoxin/Bisoprolol regime, my resting HR was in the 70s. Wishing you well with your progress.

[Blueflags in reply to 30912]

Hi 30912, A/F takes no prisoners does it!! I sympathise with you still being in A/F for so long as I can have the same, it seems as if the Digoxin helps to control your HR, but I appreciate it doesn’t stop the irregularity of the heart, I’m definitely going to research this a bit more!! Thanks for your reply and good luck 😘

[Larneybuds]

I was on digoxin for 2 years and after my last visit with my consultant he sent a letter to my doctor saying he didn't want me to take it any more. I didn't get an explanation as to why but since stopping it I've not noticed any difference in anything so am not too sure what it was actually doing whilst I was taking it lol. I had to have regular blood checks when taking it but I never had any problems with the medication. Xx

[Blueflags in reply to Larneybuds]

That seems a bit strange to tell you to stop taking it without any explanation! good to hear that you had no problems with it but sorry to hear that it didn’t seem to do anything for you ☹️☹️

[Larneybuds in reply to Blueflags]

It may well have been doing something while I was taking it but as I am on several other medications that were all diagnosed at the same time it just might not have been a prominent difference lol. Needless to say, I am more pleased that I've not had any noticeable changes since coming off it. Totally putting trust in consultant...he's a new one for me but during my last visit he was extremely thorough and put my mind at ease with a few things . Take care xx

[Blueflags in reply to Larneybuds]

Yes I know what you mean regarding having a rapport with a consultant as I have the same with mine 😊

[Larneybuds in reply to Blueflags]

Chap who did my op and looked after me sadly passed away very suddenly so it's nice to have someone else who you feel you can relate to. Take care xx

[Carrie27]

I’ve been on digoxin for several years, after 2 failed ablations. I was in permanent AF before taking it and my HR was high. Now my HR is great, I have a resting HR of 67 and often slip into sinus rhythm. Bloods checked regularly.

[Blueflags in reply to Carrie27]

Good to hear that digoxin had worked well for you, 😊😊

[Jonhel]

Digoxin worked brilliantly for me. I was prescribed increasing doses of Bisopropol to bring my heart rate down and ended up on 12.5. However, it was the introduction of digoxin that made the most improvement. I’ve now been taken off the digoxin and the Bisoprolol has been reduced to 7.5 as I’ve recently had a successful cardioversion x

[Blueflags in reply to Jonhel]

Hi Jonhel, 12.5mg is high so it seems that it worked okay for you, glad you’ve been able to come off them and that you had a successful cardioversion, keep well 😊😊

[Jonhel in reply to Blueflags]

Thank you x

[Singwell]

Digoxin is the heart medication we have with the longest track record. My EP told me this because I have it as a back up. A very reliable drug is what he told me. My mum was on it for 30 years and a friend in Australia is doing well on it. That of course doesn't mean it'll suit you but - from what I understand- it's not one to be worried about. Some of the more aggressive heart meds are more toxic.

[Blueflags in reply to Singwell]

Thank you very reassuring!! 😊😊

[Ppiman]

You are on bisoprolol 10mg and the hospital gave metoprolol IV. That's a lot of beta blocker!

I was recommended to ask may doctor to try digoxin back in 2019 by a helpful person here when I had persistent 2:1 atrial flutter with a rate of 155 / 105bpm. This is notoriously hard to treat by drugs but the digoxin (125mcg once daily) worked well to control the rate, taking it down to 50bpm. I can't say I felt brilliant but it was a significant improvement.

There were no side effects from the digoxin at all. I had no blood monitoring and was told at such a low dose it wasn't needed unless any symptoms of toxicity occurred. I checked and asked carefully about this as I was concerned from comments here, but I was reassured that was standard and safe practice. I gather toxicity is only likely in certain patient categories which will be checked before prescription is given, including: low body weight, advanced age, kidney issues or low potassium.

Steve

[Blueflags in reply to Ppiman]

Hi Pipman, yeah it was quite a lot but it did the job thankfully, they did check my kidney function prior to thinking about giving me the digoxin, I have to say I was pleased I went into NSR so didn’t need it, but hearing the comments here I am more confident now if I have to take it, thank you 😊

[Luludean]

hi blue flags, I have beén on Digoxin for 20 years, it is the only arrrthmia drug I tolerate, with propznalol as p’in p.

Try it and see if it works for you. . L

[Blueflags in reply to Luludean]

Thank you 😊

[Eater]

digoxin

I take it ,it does the job no problems,I am sensitive of many blood thinners.

[Blueflags in reply to Eater]

I’m glad it’s doing it’s job for you, keep well 😊

[Dudtbin]

I was on sotalol, bisoporol didn’t work, they added digoxin it put me back to nsr, then i was taken off it and left with sotalol been fine ever since.

[Vonnegut]

How different we all are! 1.25 mg of Bisoprolol proved too much for me to take daily after only three days!

[Blueflags in reply to Vonnegut]

Yeah I agree! I’m definitely going to ask if I can have a change as bisoprolol does make me very tired 😊

[Vonnegut in reply to Blueflags]

It might be helpful for you on a lower dose- 10mg is quite a lot. Have you checked your pulse? A Kardia might be an idea- apparently Boots sell them now and you’ll need a smart phone and the app to use it.

[jd2004]

I was put on it twice and couldn’t tolerate it-upset stomach bouts, edgy, tired.

[Blueflags in reply to jd2004]

Okay! Everyone is different I suppose, hope you’re keeping well now 😊

[Rainfern]

Hi Blueflags. My EP prescribed digoxin while on the long waiting list for ablation - I had low level but persistent AF. I found it greatly reduced breathlessness and increased my energy levels. Apparently it strengthens the heartbeat without increasing it. Foxgloves from which it derives are a favourite of mine - an added (if whimsical) bonus!

[Blueflags in reply to Rainfern]

Great! As I am quite breathless most of the time, will look forward to seeing consultant 😊

[MaryCa]

I was prescribed digoxin recently post ablation as I was having AFib rvr. It really helped reduce the episodes and supported healing, but I did find it made my legs swell. Gp said i should be taking it every day, EP said to take it only if an episode started. Very confusing. I did find it helpful though. I react really badly to beta blockers so I was on the lowest dose of them and was getting large conversion pauses every time I went in and out of AFib.

[Blueflags in reply to MaryCa]

Oh! Interesting the different opinions! I think I would take the EP advice over GP, and good job it helped your episodes 😊

[MaryCa in reply to Blueflags]

Yes, I agree, except when I needed the advice urgently the EP and his nurse were on holidays for two weeks , so I had to go with GPs advice or go to AnE, which is a disaster in our hospital. Once EPs nurse answered we got it sorted anyway. On neither bisopropol or digoxin now. Long may it last. Three weeks yesterday since an AFib episode. Fingers crossed it stays that way.

[Blueflags in reply to MaryCa]

Good to hear that, I hope you keep well 🙂

[MaryCa in reply to Blueflags]

Thank you

[Peddling2]

I have been on digoxin for around four years. It was added by my GP. I am in persistent AF but heart retain remains low and I have digoxin to thank for that. Regular blood tests are a given.

[Blueflags in reply to Peddling2]

Thank you, after reading all the helpful posts I am now much more confident should I need it 😊

[Snowgirl65]

I was on Digoxin for a while, but I first had to be monitored for 2-1/2 days in the hospital as they took certain readings to make sure of the dosage. It worked quite well with no side effects whatsoever.

[Blueflags in reply to Snowgirl65]

Great, thanks, I was told it would need monitoring, glad you’re well on it 😊