Digoxin in elderly
Common Questions and Answers about Digoxin in elderly
digitek
My elderly mom has been having some pretty severe episodes of anxiety/confusion over the past couple of weeks. We've initiated contact with her doctors who are doing their thing, but of course nothing moves as fast as we'd like in situations like this.
Her life is pretty much consistent every single day, same habits, same foods, same tv shows, etc. These episodes have been happening every *second* day, in mid afternoon.
A woman in her 80s, hx hypertension but mostly in good health. She was walking for around 40 minutes. She was feeling weak and had to take breaks on her way home. When she arrived home she had an episode of tachycardia (158) with BP (144/71) (not sure if it started while walking). She had no chest pain, only palpitations and general weakness. She took 1 mg digoxin PO and eventually the episode resolved.
Diastolic blood pressure significantly decreased and systolic blood pressure significantly increased during overnight sleep in the digoxin phase .Heart rate decreased in the overnight sleeping phase . Digoxin significantly decreases diastolic blood pressure during overnight sleep in patients with congestive heart failure. This effect is likely to be caused by reduction of sympathetic activity or increase of parasympathetic activity.
The link below your post goes to a doctor's explanation where he states digoxin is used to treat irregular heartbeats. I was on digoxin for a few months following my congested heart failue event. It is my understanding the medication is used to increase contractility of the pumping chambers. My medication for stablizing heart rate is a beta blocker (coreg) and an ACE inhibitor.
My research: "Digoxin is contraindicated in patients with ventricular fibrillation.
of coumedin, Lopressor, 260mg of cardizam, and 40 mill of lasix because of severe swelling in fingers, legs and ankles, all of which she never had prior. She went from yearly checkups to lab and office visits every few days.
My question is, considering her good health overall, do you think she may be better off with less potent meds which seem to be placing her in more peril. She had a five pound wieght gain last week!
A comparison of verapamil, propranolol and digoxin showed equivalent efficacy in a small group of patients. However, in general calcium channel blockers and beta-blockers are preferred to digoxin. Digoxin has been around for a long time! I used Digoxin over 50 years ago for my PSVT, and my recollection was that it did little to prevent episodes. There are so many newer drugs now that are far more effective.
Digoxin and Toprol act in different ways and do not induce the same effects. I have atrial fib and was prescribed amioderone.
my dad was taken off of it because his rate dropped below 60 beats and was causing him to be knocked out for most of the day when he went off of it his symptoms improved now its been 2 weeks and he is showing signs of loss of appitite,sleepiness,slow in speech, stomach acid, nasea Can the digoxin be retintroduced without any big adjustment to his chemistry?
He converted while in the ER and was told to take it in addition to his beta blocker. They had given him a pretty large dose of it while in the ER and he took 3 doses of the pill...he started feeling pretty bad. He went to his regular cardiologist today and he ran a blood test to check for toxicity and took him off of it. It sounds like a very nasty drug...thanks for the info. I can't understand why he was put on it.
I have had 2 valves replaced in 1984. Since then I've felt like a new person! Unfortunately, at the age of 52, I now need 3 valves replaced. I received a letter in the mail from the pharmaceutical company stating they accidentally put a double dose of the medication digoxin I was taking since my surgery because of an irregular heartbeat. I feel that this is the reason I now need these valves replaced but all the doctors feel differently.
My doctor was very surprised because he had never seen atrial fibrillation in a young adult. My doctor prescribed digoxin and my heart rhythm returned to normal. About six months ago I moved to a different state. I recently went to a new doctor to have my digoxin levels checked and he noticed that my afib had returned. He was concerned because digoxin would not have been his choice of treatment and he said I should have also been taking aspirin or a blood thinner.
2 week old premature infant has recurrent SVT/ Atrial Flutter and has been loaded on Digoxin and Amiodarone. The plan is to continue amiodarone for another 6 months; is this safe for him?
Hi Everyone. I am trying to get some answers regarding the treatment of an elderly male in the UK. He has been diagnosed with heart failure and has a leaky valve and some irregular heart rythums. At the moment he still gets breathless after walking up a few stairs and I'm not happy with this situation. He also has a persistent cough which may be linked to his medication. He does have some water retention in lower legs.
I am wondering if you are uneasy about taking digoxin. If so, I would ask you cardio if you can get by with just the TOPROL XL. Digoxin, xanax, toprol xl, and lisinoprol seems like a lot of stuff to be taking.
I am a runner and only take TOPROL XL 12.5mg. This knocks out my extra beats and really slows my heart down. A little seems to go a long way for me.
I am taking Digoxin for tachycardia--my cardiologist says that while there aren't good studies available for cardiac meds while pregnant Digoxin is believed to be safe. It is not a betablocker, however the dr felt the digoxin would be safer than a betablocker while preggo. Also the changes in your blood volume while pregnant may correct the tachycardia.
I know there was a recent recall of Digoxin in the U.S. Check with your doctor about any changes in medications.
Is there any chance the pain is because of the ICD? I've heard some people say they have some discomfort from the leads/placement of the device, etc. Does your doctor think it's OK for you to take over the counter pain medication? If so, what does he suggest?
Is amiodarone as safe a drug as digoxin or linoxin for A-fib as far as long term side affects are concerned?
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