What are the withdrawal symptoms with stopping digoxin?

14 Jun 2011

Hey fancoudes,

Just stopping digoxin is not recommended. The following was noted in the literature:

A post-hoc analysis of a large study (DIG trial) involving patients with chronic heart failure (HF) receiving long-term digoxin therapy, revealed that discontinuation of digoxin was associated with a significant increase in all-cause hospitalization and hospitalization for HF, but had no effect on all-cause mortality. In contrast, continuation of digoxin at low serum concentrations (0.5 to 0.9 ng/mL) was associated with a reduction in all-cause mortality, all-cause hospitalizations, and hospitalizations for HF. In addition, heart failure guideline recommendations include that if a patient with HF is already receiving digoxin but not an ACEI or beta-blocker, treatment with digoxin should not be discontinued.

Is your mom taking an ACEI or beta-blocker type medication?

Please consult a doctor as soon as possible, preferably a cardiologist.

Best wishes,

Laurie