Cardiovascular medications - cardiac glycosides

Table of Contents > Depletions > Cardiovascular medications - cardiac glycosides

	Medications
	Depletions


	Editorial Note
	Supporting Research

Medications

Cardiac glycosides include:

Digoxin (Lanoxicaps, Lanoxin, Digibind)
Digitoxin (Crystodigin)

Depletions

Magnesium

Taking digoxin may deplete magnesium.

Magnesium deficiency affects calcium and vitamin D levels in the body. This may cause:

Muscle cramps
Muscle weakness
Irregular heartbeat
Numbness and tingling in feet and toes
Seizures
Insomnia
High blood pressure

Potassium

Taking digitoxin may deplete potassium.

Symptoms of potassium deficiency include:

Nausea and vomiting
Tiredness
Drowsiness
Feeling of apprehension
Weakness
Muscle pain and weakness (mostly in the legs)
Muscle cramps
Strong, rapid or irregular heartbeat

Vitamin B1 (Thiamine)

Taking digoxin may deplete thiamine.

Low levels of vitamin B1 may cause:

Fatigue
Nausea
Loss of appetite
Constipation
Short-term memory loss
Confusion
Depression

Severe deficiency of vitamin B1 causes beriberi. Symptoms may include:

Tingling or burning sensation in toes and feet
Fluid buildup in the body (edema)
Increased heart rate
Heart failure

Editorial Note

The information presented here covers some of the nutrients that may be affected when you take certain medicines. If you have any of these signs and symptoms, it does not always mean you have low levels of these nutrients.

Factors that affect the level of nutrients are:

Your medical history
Diet
Lifestyle
How long you have been taking the medicine

Please talk to your health care provider. They can best address your health care needs and see if you are at risk for low levels of any nutrients.

Supporting Research

Asiedu DK. Vitamin deficiency (Hypovitaminosis). In: Ferri FF, ed. Ferri's Clinical Advisor 2017. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2017:1359-1360.

Cole JB, Roberts DJ. Cardiovascular drugs. In: Marx JA, Hockberger R, Walls R, eds. Rosen's Emergency Medicine. 8th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2014:chap 152.

Dominiczak MH, Broom JI. Vitamins and minerals. In: Baynes JW, Dominiczak MH, eds. Medical Biochemistry. 4th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2015:chap 11.

First Consult: Hypomagnesemia. February 20, 2013. www.clinicalkey.com/#!/content/medical_topic/21-s2.0-2001655. Accessed July 7, 2016.

Ioannou N, Sinha P, Treacher D. Acute heart failure. In: Bersten AD, Soni N, eds. Oh's Intensive Care Manual. 7th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Butterworth-Heinemann; 2014:chap 24.

Leone KA. Calcium, magnesium, and phosphorus. In: Adams JG, ed. Emergency Medicine. 2nd ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2014:chap 166.

Osborn MB. Potassium. In: Adams JG, ed. Emergency Medicine. 2nd ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2014:chap 165.

Shenkin A, Roberts NB. Vitamins and trace elements. In: Burtis CA, Ashwood ER, Bruns DE, eds. Tietz Textbook of Clinical Chemistry and Molecular Diagnostics. 5th ed. St. Louis, MO: Elsevier Saunders; 2012:chap 31.

Yu ASL. Disorders of magnesium and phosphorus. In: Lee G, Schafer AI, eds. Goldman's Cecil Medicine. 25th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2016:chap 119.

Review Date: 9/19/2016
Reviewed By: Steven D. Ehrlich, NMD, Solutions Acupuncture, a private practice specializing in complementary and alternative medicine, Phoenix, AZ. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.

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