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Can Withdrawal From Digoxin Cause Dropped Sugar Levels?
I had been on digoxin for approximately 20 years-first started because of atrial fibrillation. Cardiologist recently took all his patients off the digoxin. Shortly after that started retaining water & now taking 1 to 2 Lasix every morning. Also, I have had type 2 diabetes for 12 years and have fought higher readings. Am taking 4 Metformin a day and 2 Amaryl a day plus was taking 52 units of Lantus at bedtime. But after stopping Digoxin, started having problems with sugar readings dropping & am now down to 24 units of Lantus, am still on same dosage of oral meds. Am still having problems with sugar dropping. Could all this be related to going off the Digoxin suddenly?
Tue, 29 Sep 2020
Hi,
Digoxin is a Cardiac glycosides prescribed for the patients to treat fibrillation and cardiac failure. Insulin reduces the blood glucose level by increasing its metabolism and intra-cellular uptake. In diabetes, decreased insulin levels increases the blood level. Intra-cellular uptake of glucose is by the sodium potassium ATPase pump. Digoxin inhibits the Sodium potassium pump and increases the intra-cellular sodium thus inhibiting the intra-cellular uptake of glucose.
Thus, there is need for high dose of insulin and oral hypoglycaemic agents to control the blood glucose level. Once the Digoxin stopped, the need for extra insulin and drugs also decreased. Thus, the dose of both should be adjusted as per individual blood glucose levels. Discuss with you physician or diabetologist for dose adjustment. Continuing the same dose will cause hypoglycemia.
Take care. Hope I have answered your question. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Regards,
Dr. Pradeepraj, General & Family Physician
Digoxin is a Cardiac glycosides prescribed for the patients to treat fibrillation and cardiac failure. Insulin reduces the blood glucose level by increasing its metabolism and intra-cellular uptake. In diabetes, decreased insulin levels increases the blood level. Intra-cellular uptake of glucose is by the sodium potassium ATPase pump. Digoxin inhibits the Sodium potassium pump and increases the intra-cellular sodium thus inhibiting the intra-cellular uptake of glucose.
Thus, there is need for high dose of insulin and oral hypoglycaemic agents to control the blood glucose level. Once the Digoxin stopped, the need for extra insulin and drugs also decreased. Thus, the dose of both should be adjusted as per individual blood glucose levels. Discuss with you physician or diabetologist for dose adjustment. Continuing the same dose will cause hypoglycemia.
Take care. Hope I have answered your question. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Regards,
Dr. Pradeepraj, General & Family Physician
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