Digoxin added to Bisoprolol

[Taichid]

Have been taking 3.75 msg bisoprolol for past 3 months with excellent results of hr of 61/63 and it was being considered whether to reduce slightly because of side effects. Suddenly my heart rate increased to 120 over a couple of days. ECG showed tachicardia but blood pressure excellent, full blood count normal and diabetic bloods ok. Started on 62.5 Digoxin and will be reviewed again end of week.

Has anyone else had t his happen and now taking DIgoxin. I was onBisoprolol last year but stopped due to heart pauses. Now back on it but with a pacemaker.

[ILowe]

I see no one else has replied so let me try. The folks over at the AF forum may have more idea. Basically there are a range of drugs used for your condition. It seems that Bisoprolol is the favourite first choice, but there are others. Medicine is a bit of trial and error. Digoxin is one of the others and has become more popular these days. With Digoxin they usually do electrolytes tests.

[Taichid in reply to ILowe]

Thankyou

[Hidden in reply to ILowe]

You mention electrolytes-that's the important bit! If the electrolytes are out of kilter that's when AF happens! I take electrolyte tablets every day now, having read extensively about AF after having an episode in 2017. I was hospitalised and discovered my potassium and magnesium were very low. After a shot of those into my tummy I reverted without intervention. I also take a blood thinner, Lixiana, a day, and with the Biso haven't had a recurrence (fingers crossed!)

[Taichid in reply to Hidden]

I think you are replying to a different post, mine about bisoprolol and digoxin

[Taichid in reply to Hidden]

Just to mention I had a full blood count test last week which included electrolytes, potassium etc. All normal.Just wanted to know if anyone had any experiences of taking bisoprolol and digoxin

[ILowe]

I know someone in your position. Bisoprolol alone did not seem to be working very well @5mg daily. So, following recent practice, instead of increasing the bisoprolol to see how well she tolerated it (since if people have problems with it they are usually with the higher doses) they added digoxin and halved the bisoprolol dose. So far so good. In the last few years I have noticed a trend to use low doses of two or more medicines rather than high doses of one.

[Taichid in reply to ILowe]

This is interesting.My biso has been kept at 3.75 together with low dose of Digoxin which is being reviewed after 7 days.I still have some side effects with bisoprolol and was hoping to have it reduced, so have to wait and see after review. Thankyou

[Hidden]

Normally it can reduce hr to48 50 and can cause afib best check electrolytesBe sure of numbers and lipids too

I assume you take a statin

[Taichid in reply to Hidden]

No statin but have a pacemaker set at 60. Had full blood count test a few days ago and all normal.

[Hidden]

Adding no I use candesartan with bisoprolol ace inhibitor