Digoxin

[KiriKaboom]

I was diagnosed with permanent AFib in November 2024 following a chest infection. Currently, my medication is Apixaban 5mg twice a day, Bisoprolol 5mg once a day and Amlodipine 5mg twice a day. Due to the side effects of Bisoprolol I take that in the evening.

I had a cardiology referral a couple of weeks ago and was advised to add in Digoxin 125mcg once a day. Having read up about this old school drug I can’t say that I’m happy taking it because of the common side effects which are similar to Bisoprolol and I appear to be super sensitive to these cardiac drugs.

Is there anyone who takes Digoxin and, if so, have you experienced adverse side effects and what time of day is best to take it? I’m tempted to take it in the evening to try and sleep through the worst of the side effects unless insomnia is one of them!

I’d be grateful to hear of your experiences.

[Borderterriorist]

Hi, I take digoxin at the same dose that you have been prescribed together with 5mg bisoprolol am and pm (10mg in total). Like you I was worried about taking it but it is working really well for me and has settled my atrial flutter really well.I have no side effects. I checked with my pharmacist if I needed regular blood tests and he reassured me that I didn't. I'm also on meds for high BP and having started on losartan and latterly amlodopine, I've had blood tests anyway and everything is fine. I hope this reassures you.

[KiriKaboom in reply to Borderterriorist]

Thank you so much Borderterriorist for your prompt and very useful reply. I have just picked my prescription up from the chemist and will start taking them tonight! It sounds as if we are on broadly similar regimes - I’ve also just started Losartan in the place of Amlodipine.

I don’t suppose you’ve had a Cardioversion? I’ve got one booked for 20th February - obviously dreading it, but, posts here have been reassuring! Onwards and upwards and good luck with your cardiac journey! Thank you again.

[Borderterriorist in reply to KiriKaboom]

Yes I had one back in 2022, actually went in for an ablation but discovered I had atypical Flutter (left side not right) and they couldn't do it so did cardioversion instead. I had all the preliminary steps for the ablation which was all fine and tbh the cardioversion was a breeze, just knocked me out with a drug and I woke up in sinus rhythm. I felt fine the next day and the cardioversion lasted for over two years. Don't worry, it will be very straightforward.

[KiriKaboom in reply to Borderterriorist]

That’s very reassuring, thank you. You seem to have been through a lot of cardiac procedures and come out the other side! And here’s me worrying about a pill and cardioversion! I’ll have to put my big girl pants on …!

[Drorganic]

hiya I too was diagnosed with with a fib following a chest infection ,I also had a heart rate that was too fast .They gave me Apixaban ,amlodopine and 125mg digoxin to slow it down .The only side effects I had was with amlodopine making my my feet and ankles swell uncomfortably so was took off that drug and been fine since. I have now been put on bisoprolol which I take at night along with Entresto because I have reduced LVEF .They also upped my dosage of digoxin to 250mg and I have been a lot more relaxed .,I take this in the morning and have had no adverse affects.Just an opinion but sometimes old school is good it’s been tried and tested a long time