Digitoxin/Rifamycins
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:
Moderate. These medicines may cause some risk when taken together. Contact your healthcare professional (e.g. doctor or pharmacist) for more information.
How the interaction occurs:
When these two medicines are taken together, your body may process digitoxin more quickly.
What might happen:
Your blood levels of digitoxin may decrease and reduce the beneficial effects on your heart.
What you should do about this interaction:
Contact your doctor if you experience an increased heartbeat; swelling of ankles, feet, or hands; or breathing problems. It may be necessary to measure your blood levels of digitoxin. Your doctor may need to adjust your dose.Your healthcare professionals (e.g. doctor or pharmacist) 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.Zilly W, Breimer DD, Richter E. Pharmacokinetic interactions with rifampicin. Clin Pharmacokinet 1977 Jan-Feb;2(1):61-70.
2.Boman G, Eliasson K, Odar-Cederlof I. Acute cardiac failure during treatment with digitoxin--an interaction with rifampicin. Br J Clin Pharmacol 1980 Jul;10(1):89-90.
