Skip to main content

Drug Interactions between digoxin and nifedipine

This report displays the potential drug interactions for the following 2 drugs:

Edit list (add/remove drugs)

Interactions between your drugs

Moderate

NIFEdipine digoxin

Applies to: nifedipine and digoxin

MONITOR: Limited data suggest that nifedipine may decrease digoxin clearance. Serum digoxin levels and risk of toxicity may be increased. The effect may be dose-dependent, however data are conflicting. Other calcium channel blockers may also interact. Higher doses of nisoldipine may cause small increases in digoxin levels. Digoxin maximum plasma concentrations increased by 33% after 20 mg lercanidipine was given; however, AUC did not change significantly.

MANAGEMENT: Serum digoxin levels should be checked when clinically necessary. Patients should be advised to notify their physician if they experience signs of digoxin toxicity such as nausea, anorexia, visual changes, slow pulse, or irregular heartbeats. If digoxin toxicity is suspected, digoxin dosage should be withheld or reduced.

References

  1. Pedersen KE, Dorph-Pedersen A, Hvidt S, et al. (1982) "Effect of nifedipine on digoxin kinetics in healthy subjects." Clin Pharmacol Ther, 32, p. 562-5
  2. Schwartz JB, Migliore PJ (1984) "Effect of nifedipine on serum digoxin concentration and renal digoxin clearance." Clin Pharmacol Ther, 36, p. 19-24
  3. Schwartz JB, Raizner A, Akers S (1984) "The effect of nifedipine on serum digoxin concentrations in patients." Am Heart J, 107, p. 669-73
  4. Kleinbloesem CH, van Brummelen P, Hillers J, Moolenaar AJ, Breimer DD (1985) "Interaction between digoxin and nifedipine at steady state in patients with atrial fibrillation." Ther Drug Monit, 7, p. 372-6
  5. Koren G, Zylber-Katz E, Granit L, Levy M (1986) "Pharmacokinetic studies of nifedipine and digoxin co-administration." Int J Clin Pharmacol Ther Toxicol, 24, p. 39-42
  6. Belz GG, Doering W, Munkes R, Matthews J (1982) "Interaction between digoxin and calcium antagonists and antiarrhythmic drugs." Clin Pharmacol Ther, 33, p. 410-7
  7. Belz GG, Doering W, Munkes R, Matthews J (1983) "Interaction between digoxin and calcium antagonists and antiarrhythmic drugs." Clin Pharmacol Ther, 33, p. 410-7
  8. Rodin SM, Johnson BF (1988) "Pharmacokinetic interactions with digoxin." Clin Pharmacokinet, 15, p. 227-44
  9. Belz GG, Aust PE, Munkes R (1981) "Digoxin plasma concentrations and nifedipine ." Lancet, 1, p. 844-5
  10. Kuhlmann J, Marcin S, Frank KH (1984) "[Pharmacokinetics and cardiac effect of beta-acetyldigoxin and digitoxin in combination therapy with nifedipine]." Klin Wochenschr, 62, p. 451-7
  11. Kuhlmann J (1985) "Effects of nifedipine and diltiazem on plasma levels and renal excretion of beta-acetyldigoxin." Clin Pharmacol Ther, 37, p. 150-6
  12. De Vito JM, Friedman B (1986) "Evaluation of the pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic interaction between calcium antagonists and digoxin." Pharmacotherapy, 6, p. 73-82
  13. Sorkin E, Clissold S (1987) "Nicardipine: A review of its pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic properties, and therapeutic efficacy, in the treatment of angina pectoris, hypertension, and relate." Drugs, 33, p. 296-345
  14. Kirch W, Hutt HJ, Dylewicz P, Graf KJ, Ohnhaus EE (1986) "Dose-dependence of the nifedipine-digoxin interaction?" Clin Pharmacol Ther, 39, p. 35-9
View all 14 references

Switch to consumer interaction data

Drug and food interactions

Moderate

NIFEdipine food

Applies to: nifedipine

GENERALLY AVOID: The consumption of grapefruit juice may be associated with significantly increased plasma concentrations of some calcium channel blockers (CCBs) when they are administered orally. The proposed mechanism is inhibition of CYP450 3A4-mediated first-pass metabolism in the gut wall by certain compounds present in grapefruit. The interaction has been reported with the dihydropyridine CCBs (in roughly decreasing order of magnitude) felodipine, nisoldipine, nifedipine, and nimodipine, often with a high degree of interindividual variability. Grapefruit juice caused more than twofold increases in felodipine, nifedipine, and nisoldipine AUCs.

MANAGEMENT: The manufacturers of nifedipine and nisoldipine recommend avoiding grapefruit juice. Patients treated orally with other calcium channel blockers should be advised to avoid consumption of large amounts of grapefruits and grapefruit juice to prevent any undue fluctuations in serum drug levels. Increased effects on blood pressure may persist for up to 4 days after the consumption of grapefruit juice. Monitoring for calcium channel blocker adverse effects (e.g., headache, hypotension, syncope, tachycardia, edema) is recommended.

References

  1. Edgar B, Bailey D, Bergstrand R, Johnsson G, Regardh CG (1992) "Acute effects of drinking grapefruit juice on the pharmacokinetics and dynamics of felodipine--and its potential clinical relevance." Eur J Clin Pharmacol, 42, p. 313-7
  2. (2002) "Product Information. Plendil (felodipine)." Merck & Co., Inc
  3. (2002) "Product Information. Procardia (nifedipine)." Pfizer U.S. Pharmaceuticals
  4. Bailey DG, Arnold JM, Munoz C, Spence JD (1993) "Grapefruit juice--felodipine interaction: mechanism, predictability, and effect of naringin." Clin Pharmacol Ther, 53, p. 637-42
  5. Bailey DG, Arnold JMO, Spence JD (1994) "Grapefruit juice and drugs - how significant is the interaction." Clin Pharmacokinet, 26, p. 91-8
  6. Bailey DG, Arnold JM, Strong HA, Munoz C, Spence JD (1993) "Effect of grapefruit juice and naringin on nisoldipine pharmacokinetics." Clin Pharmacol Ther, 54, p. 589-94
  7. Yamreudeewong W, Henann NE, Fazio A, Lower DL, Cassidy TG (1995) "Drug-food interactions in clinical practice." J Fam Pract, 40, p. 376-84
  8. (1995) "Grapefruit juice interactions with drugs." Med Lett Drugs Ther, 37, p. 73-4
  9. (2001) "Product Information. Sular (nisoldipine)." Astra-Zeneca Pharmaceuticals
  10. Josefsson M, Zackrisson AL, Ahlner J (1996) "Effect of grapefruit juice on the pharmacokinetics of amlodipine in healthy volunteers." Eur J Clin Pharmacol, 51, p. 189-93
  11. Bailey DG, Malcolm J, Arnold O, Spence JD (1998) "Grapefruit juice-drug interactions." Br J Clin Pharmacol, 46, p. 101-10
  12. Bailey DG, Kreeft JH, Munoz C, Freeman DJ, Bend JR (1998) "Grapefruit juice felodipine interaction: Effect of naringin and 6',7'-dihydroxybergamottin in humans." Clin Pharmacol Ther, 64, p. 248-56
  13. Fuhr U, Maier-Bruggemann A, Blume H, et al. (1998) "Grapefruit juice increases oral nimodipine bioavailability." Int J Clin Pharmacol Ther, 36, p. 126-32
  14. Gunston GD, Mehta U (2000) "Potentially serious drug interactions with grapefruit juice." S Afr Med J, 90, p. 41
  15. Takanaga H, Ohnishi A, Maatsuo H, et al. (2000) "Pharmacokinetic analysis of felodipine-grapefruit juice interaction based on an irreversible enzyme inhibition model." Br J Clin Pharmacol, 49, p. 49-58
  16. Bailey DG, Dresser GR, Kreeft JH, Munoz C, Freeman DJ, Bend JR (2000) "Grapefruit-felodipine interaction: Effect of unprocessed fruit and probable active ingredients." Clin Pharmacol Ther, 68, p. 468-77
  17. Ho PC, Ghose K, Saville D, Wanwimolruk S (2000) "Effect of grapefruit juice on pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of verapamil enantiomers in healthy volunteers." Eur J Clin Pharmacol, 56, p. 693-8
  18. Fuhr U, Muller-Peltzer H, Kern R, et al. (2002) "Effects of grapefruit juice and smoking on verapamil concentrations in steady state." Eur J Clin Pharmacol, 58, p. 45-53
  19. Cerner Multum, Inc. "UK Summary of Product Characteristics."
View all 19 references

Switch to consumer interaction data

Moderate

NIFEdipine food

Applies to: nifedipine

MONITOR: Many psychotherapeutic and CNS-active agents (e.g., anxiolytics, sedatives, hypnotics, antidepressants, antipsychotics, opioids, alcohol, muscle relaxants) exhibit hypotensive effects, especially during initiation of therapy and dose escalation. Coadministration with antihypertensives and other hypotensive agents, in particular vasodilators and alpha-blockers, may result in additive effects on blood pressure and orthostasis.

MANAGEMENT: Caution and close monitoring for development of hypotension is advised during coadministration of these agents. Some authorities recommend avoiding alcohol in patients receiving vasodilating antihypertensive drugs. Patients should be advised to avoid rising abruptly from a sitting or recumbent position and to notify their physician if they experience dizziness, lightheadedness, syncope, orthostasis, or tachycardia.

References

  1. Sternbach H (1991) "Fluoxetine-associated potentiation of calcium-channel blockers." J Clin Psychopharmacol, 11, p. 390-1
  2. Shook TL, Kirshenbaum JM, Hundley RF, Shorey JM, Lamas GA (1984) "Ethanol intoxication complicating intravenous nitroglycerin therapy." Ann Intern Med, 101, p. 498-9
  3. Feder R (1991) "Bradycardia and syncope induced by fluoxetine." J Clin Psychiatry, 52, p. 139
  4. Ellison JM, Milofsky JE, Ely E (1990) "Fluoxetine-induced bradycardia and syncope in two patients." J Clin Psychiatry, 51, p. 385-6
  5. Rodriguez de la Torre B, Dreher J, Malevany I, et al. (2001) "Serum levels and cardiovascular effects of tricyclic antidepressants and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors in depressed patients." Ther Drug Monit, 23, p. 435-40
  6. Cerner Multum, Inc. "Australian Product Information."
  7. Pacher P, Kecskemeti V (2004) "Cardiovascular side effects of new antidepressants and antipsychotics: new drugs, old concerns?" Curr Pharm Des, 10, p. 2463-75
  8. Andrews C, Pinner G (1998) "Postural hypotension induced by paroxetine." BMJ, 316, p. 595
View all 8 references

Switch to consumer interaction data

Moderate

NIFEdipine food

Applies to: nifedipine

MONITOR: Calcium-containing products may decrease the effectiveness of calcium channel blockers by saturating calcium channels with calcium. Calcium chloride has been used to manage acute severe verapamil toxicity.

MANAGEMENT: Management consists of monitoring the effectiveness of calcium channel blocker therapy during coadministration with calcium products.

References

  1. Henry M, Kay MM, Viccellio P (1985) "Cardiogenic shock associated with calcium-channel and beta blockers: reversal with intravenous calcium chloride." Am J Emerg Med, 3, p. 334-6
  2. Moller IW (1987) "Cardiac arrest following intravenous verapamil combined with halothane anaesthesia." Br J Anaesth, 59, p. 522-6
  3. Oszko MA, Klutman NE (1987) "Use of calcium salts during cardiopulmonary resuscitation for reversing verapamil-associated hypotension." Clin Pharm, 6, p. 448-9
  4. Schoen MD, Parker RB, Hoon TJ, et al. (1991) "Evaluation of the pharmacokinetics and electrocardiographic effects of intravenous verapamil with intravenous calcium chloride pretreatment in normal subjects." Am J Cardiol, 67, p. 300-4
  5. O'Quinn SV, Wohns DH, Clarke S, Koch G, Patterson JH, Adams KF (1990) "Influence of calcium on the hemodynamic and anti-ischemic effects of nifedipine observed during treadmill exercise testing." Pharmacotherapy, 10, p. 247
  6. Woie L, Storstein L (1981) "Successful treatment of suicidal verapamil poisoning with calcium gluconate." Eur Heart J, 2, p. 239-42
  7. Morris DL, Goldschlager N (1983) "Calcium infusion for reversal of adverse effects of intravenous verapamil." JAMA, 249, p. 3212-3
  8. Guadagnino V, Greengart A, Hollander G, Solar M, Shani J, Lichstein E (1987) "Treatment of severe left ventricular dysfunction with calcium chloride in patients receiving verapamil." J Clin Pharmacol, 27, p. 407-9
  9. Luscher TF, Noll G, Sturmer T, Huser B, Wenk M (1994) "Calcium gluconate in severe verapamil intoxication." N Engl J Med, 330, p. 718-20
  10. Bar-Or D, Gasiel Y (1981) "Calcium and calciferol antagonise effect of verapamil in atrial fibrillation." Br Med J (Clin Res Ed), 282, p. 1585-6
  11. Lipman J, Jardine I, Roos C, Dreosti L (1982) "Intravenous calcium chloride as an antidote to verapamil-induced hypotension." Intensive Care Med, 8, p. 55-7
  12. McMillan R (1988) "Management of acute severe verapamil intoxication." J Emerg Med, 6, p. 193-6
  13. Perkins CM (1978) "Serious verapamil poisoning: treatment with intravenous calcium gluconate." Br Med J, 2, p. 1127
  14. Moroni F, Mannaioni PF, Dolara A, Ciaccheri M (1980) "Calcium gluconate and hypertonic sodium chloride in a case of massive verapamil poisoning." Clin Toxicol, 17, p. 395-400
View all 14 references

Switch to consumer interaction data

Minor

digoxin food

Applies to: digoxin

Administration of digoxin with a high-fiber meal has been shown to decrease its bioavailability by almost 20%. Fiber can sequester up to 45% of the drug when given orally. Patients should be advised to maintain a regular diet without significant fluctuation in fiber intake while digoxin is being titrated.

Grapefruit juice may modestly increase the plasma concentrations of digoxin. The mechanism is increased absorption of digoxin due to mild inhibition of intestinal P-glycoprotein by certain compounds present in grapefruits. In 12 healthy volunteers, administration of grapefruit juice with and 30 minutes before, as well as 3.5, 7.5, and 11.5 hours after a single digoxin dose (0.5 mg) increased the mean area under the plasma concentration-time curve (AUC) of digoxin by just 9% compared to administration with water. Moreover, P-glycoprotein genetic polymorphism does not appear to influence the magnitude of the effects of grapefruit juice on digoxin. Thus, the interaction is unlikely to be of clinical significance.

References

  1. Darcy PF (1995) "Nutrient-drug interactions." Adverse Drug React Toxicol Rev, 14, p. 233-54
  2. Becquemont L, Verstuyft C, Kerb R, et al. (2001) "Effect of grapefruit juice on digoxin pharmacokinetics in humans." Clin Pharmacol Ther, 70, p. 311-6

Switch to consumer interaction data

Therapeutic duplication warnings

No warnings were found for your selected drugs.

Therapeutic duplication warnings are only returned when drugs within the same group exceed the recommended therapeutic duplication maximum.


Report options

Loading...
QR code containing a link to this page

Drug Interaction Classification

These classifications are only a guideline. The relevance of a particular drug interaction to a specific individual is difficult to determine. Always consult your healthcare provider before starting or stopping any medication.
Major Highly clinically significant. Avoid combinations; the risk of the interaction outweighs the benefit.
Moderate Moderately clinically significant. Usually avoid combinations; use it only under special circumstances.
Minor Minimally clinically significant. Minimize risk; assess risk and consider an alternative drug, take steps to circumvent the interaction risk and/or institute a monitoring plan.
Unknown No interaction information available.

Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.