Digoxin toxicity – Cardiology MCQ

Factor/s enhancing the risk of digoxin toxicity:
a) Co-administration of verapamil
b) Hypokalemia
c) Hypomagnesemia
d) All of the above
Correct answer: d) All of the above
Hypokalemia which often occurs due to the diuretic therapy which is given along with digoxin for the treatment of heart failure, potentiates the problem of digitoxicity. Correction of hypokalemia is very important in the management of digoxin toxicity.
Severe hypomagnesemia can precipitate digoxin induced cardiac arrhythmia with normal serum digoxin and potassium levels and respond to correction of hypomagnesemia.
Important drugs which can increase the levels of digoxin are quinidine, verapamil, amiodarone and dronedarone. The dose of digoxin should be halved with concomitant use of verapamil, amiodarone or dronedarone. Read more on digoxin toxicity…