Digitalis Glycosides, Oral/Cholestyramine; Colestipol Interactions

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 not absorb your digitalis glycoside properly.

What might happen:

Your blood levels of digitalis glycoside may decrease. This may decrease the beneficial effects of your digitalis glycoside.

What you should do about this interaction:

If you experience shortness of breath or a fast heartbeat, contact your doctor. Your doctor may check your blood level of digitalis glycoside and adjust the dose of your medicine. It may be necessary to change the time you take each medicine.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.

View Reference
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  • 3.Klotz U, Antonin KH. Biliary excretion studies with digoxin in man. Int J Clin Pharmacol Biopharm 1977 Jul;15(7):332-4.
  • 4.Brown DD, Juhl RP, Warner SL. Decreased bioavailability of digoxin due to hypocholesterolemic interventions. Circulation 1978 Jul;58(1):164-72.
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  • 11.Kuhlmann J. Use of cholestyramine in three patients with beta-acetyldigoxin, beta- methyldigoxin and digitoxin intoxication. Int J Clin Pharmacol Ther Toxicol 1984 Oct;22(10):543-8.
  • 12.Brown DD, Schmid J, Long RA, Hull JH. A steady-state evaluation of the effects of propantheline bromide and cholestyramine on the bioavailability of digoxin when administered as tablets or capsules. J Clin Pharmacol 1985 Jul-Aug;25(5):360-4.
  • 13.Henderson RP, Solomon CP. Use of cholestyramine in the treatment of digoxin intoxication. Arch Intern Med 1988 Mar;148(3):745-6.
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  • 15.Lanoxin (digoxin) Tablets US prescribing information. Covis Pharmaceuticals, Inc. August, 2018.
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CONDITIONS OF USE: The information in this database is intended to supplement, not substitute for, the expertise and judgment of healthcare professionals. The information is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, drug interactions or adverse effects, nor should it be construed to indicate that use of a particular drug is safe, appropriate or effective for you or anyone else. A healthcare professional should be consulted before taking any drug, changing any diet or commencing or discontinuing any course of treatment.