Digitalis Glycosides/Intravenous Calcium Products
This information is generalized and not intended as specific medical advice. Consult your healthcare professional before taking or discontinuing any drug or commencing any course of treatment.
Medical warning:
Serious. These medicines may interact and cause very harmful effects. Contact your healthcare professional (e.g. doctor or pharmacist) for more information.
How the interaction occurs:
Giving calcium too quickly through the veins can increase the effects of your digitalis glycoside.
What might happen:
You may develop an irregular heartbeat.
What you should do about this interaction:
Make sure your healthcare professionals (e.g. doctor or pharmacist) know that you are taking these medicines together.Your healthcare professionals may already be aware of this interaction and may be monitoring you for it. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicine before checking with them first.
References:
1.Lanoxin (digoxin) Tablets US prescribing information. GlaxoSmithKline February 5, 2010.
2.Bower JO, Mengle HAK. The additive effect of calcium and digitalis. JAMA 1936 Apr 4;106(14):1151-53.
3.Nola GT, Pope S, Harrison DC. Assessment of the synergistic relationship between serum calcium and digitalis. Am Heart J 1970 Apr;79(4):499-507.
4.Hougen TJ, Smith TW. Inhibition of myocardial monovalent cation active transport by subtoxic doses of ouabain in the dog. Circ Res 1978 Jun; 42(6):856-63.
5.Brown RH Jr, Cohen I, Noble D. The interactions of protons, calcium and potassium ions on cardiac Purkinje fibres. J Physiol 1978 Sep;282:345-52.
6.Hansteen V, Jacobsen D, Knudsen K, Reikvam A, Skuterud B. Acute, massive poisoning with digitoxin: report of seven cases and discussion of treatment. Clin Toxicol 1981 Jun;18(6):679-92.
7.Brown DD, Juhl RP. Altered bioavailability of digoxin produced by gastrointestinal medications. Clin Res 1979;27:610A.
