Scribd
Upload
1K views4 pages

Digoxin: Mechanism of Action

The document discusses digoxin, a medication used to treat heart conditions. It works by inhibiting the sodium-potassium pump in cardiac cells, increasing calcium levels and improving heart contractility. It also activates the parasympathetic nervous system. Digoxin is used to treat heart failure and arrhythmias. Common side effects include nausea, vomiting, and arrhythmias at high levels. It can interact with other drugs transported by P-glycoprotein. Blood level monitoring is important due to its narrow therapeutic range.

Uploaded by

ahmed
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
1K views4 pages

Digoxin: Mechanism of Action

The document discusses digoxin, a medication used to treat heart conditions. It works by inhibiting the sodium-potassium pump in cardiac cells, increasing calcium levels and improving heart contractility. It also activates the parasympathetic nervous system. Digoxin is used to treat heart failure and arrhythmias. Common side effects include nausea, vomiting, and arrhythmias at high levels. It can interact with other drugs transported by P-glycoprotein. Blood level monitoring is important due to its narrow therapeutic range.

Uploaded by

ahmed
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 4

Digoxin

1. Mechanism of action :
Digoxin exerts hemodynamic, electrophysiologic, and neurohormonal effects on the cardiovascular system It
reversibly inhibits the Na-K ATPase enzyme, leading to various beneficial effects. The Na-K ATPase enzyme
functions to maintain the intracellular environment by regulating the entry and exit of sodium, potassium, and
calcium (indirectly). Na-K ATPase is also known as the sodium pump The inhibition of the sodium pump by digoxin
increases intracellular sodium and increases the calcium level in the myocardial cells, causing an increased
contractile force of the heart. This improves the left ventricular ejection fraction (EF), an important measure of
cardiac function.

NB; digoxin IS AN AC in digitalis

Digoxin also stimulates the parasympathetic nervous system via the vagus nerve leading to sinoatrial (SA) and
atrioventricular (AV) node effects, decreasing the heart ratePart of the pathophysiology of heart failure includes
neurohormonal activation, leading to an increase in norepinephrine. Digoxin helps to decrease norepinephrine
levels through activation of the parasympathetic nervous system

2. Uses:
 Digoxin is used to treat heart failure, usually along with other medications.
 It is also used to treat certain types of irregular heartbeat (such as chronic atrial fibrillation). 
 Treating heart failure may help maintain your ability to walk and exercise and may improve the strength
of your heart
 Treating an irregular heartbeat can also improve your ability to exercise.
 Digoxin belongs to a class of medications called cardiac glycosides.
 Reduces strain on the heart and helps it maintain a normal, steady, and strong heartbeat.
3. Side effect :
Common Side effects of Digoxin include:
 Dizziness
 Mental disturbance
 Diarrhea
 Headache
 Nausea
 Vomiting
 Red, bumpy rash

Less common side effects of digoxin include:


 Loss of appetite
 Irregular heartbeat
 Arrhythmia in children (consider toxicity)
 Visual disturbance (blurred or yellow vision)
 Heart block
 Cardiac arrest rhythm (asystole)
 Fast heart rate

4. Contraindication:
 Acute myocardial infarction

 Wolf-Parkinson-White syndrome

 Hypercalcemia/hypocalcemia

 Hypersensitivity to the drug

 Ventricular fibrillation

 Myocarditis

 Hypomagnesemia

 Hypokalemia

 Wolf-Parkinson-White syndrome

Its use requires caution in cases of:


 Hypercalcemia/hypocalcemia

 Renal impairment

 Diseased SA node

 Bradycardia

 AV block

 Restrictive cardiomyopathy

 Constrictive pericarditis

 Thyroid disease - hypothyroidism leads to delayed drug clearance, and hyperthyroidism does the opposite.

5. Digoxin may present interactions with the following:


 Azole antifungals, which inhibit the transport of digoxin via human P-glycoprotein

 Macrolide antibiotics, which inhibit P-glycoprotein, thus increasing intestinal drug absorption

 Rifampin

 Dronedarone

 Loop diuretics

 Quinidine


6. Method of screening:
A digoxin test is a blood test that can be use to determine the level of the medication digoxin in your
blood.
Digoxin is available in oral form. Your body absorbs it, and it then travels to your body’s tissues,
especially your heart, kidney, and liver.
Digoxin testing to make sure that you aren’t receiving too much or too little of the drug. We should
monitor the level of digoxin in your blood because the drug has a narrow safe range.

7. References:

 Hershman, J. M. (2014). Subacute Thyroiditis.


merckmanuals.com/professional/endocrine-and-metabolic-disorders/thyroid-
disorders/subacute-thyroiditis

 Mayo Clinic Staff. (2014). Beta blockers.


mayoclinic.com/health/beta-blockers/HI00059

 Recalls, market withdrawals, and safety alerts. (2020).


https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts

 Sweeney, L. B., Stewart, C., & Gaitonde, D. Y. (2014). Thyroiditis: An integrated approach. 
aafp.org/afp/2014/0915/p389.html

Name: Nada Nasser Mostafa Elnaaggar


Group: 13
Number: 4701

You might also like

pFad - Phonifier reborn

Pfad - The Proxy pFad of © 2024 Garber Painting. All rights reserved.

Note: This service is not intended for secure transactions such as banking, social media, email, or purchasing. Use at your own risk. We assume no liability whatsoever for broken pages.


Alternative Proxies:

Alternative Proxy

pFad Proxy

pFad v3 Proxy

pFad v4 Proxy