Drug interactions
Calcium gluconate + Digoxin
Severity: Major
Calcium gluconate and Digoxin: major interaction.
Last updated
For healthcare professionals — reference only. This page is a brief summary, not medical advice and not a substitute for official labeling or clinical judgement. Always verify before prescribing or dispensing.
Summary
Intravenous calcium gluconate in a digitalized patient may precipitate arrhythmias through additive effects on myocardial calcium handling, though it is less concentrated than calcium chloride.
What this interaction means in plain words
Calcium gluconate and Digoxin can interact in a way that may be serious. Using them together is sometimes necessary, but it needs a deliberate decision by the prescriber, a plan for monitoring, and clear advice on the warning signs to watch for.
Calcium gluconate belongs to Gastrointestinal Tract; Digoxin belongs to Cardiovascular.
Why it happens
Acute hypercalcemia augments digoxin-induced intracellular calcium loading and ventricular automaticity.
What to do
Avoid IV calcium in patients on digoxin unless necessary; if given, infuse slowly with continuous ECG monitoring.
What to ask your pharmacist
- Does the benefit of taking both outweigh the risk in my case?
- Do I need any blood test, ECG or other check while on both?
- What early warning signs should I watch for, and what should I do if they appear?
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Other interactions of Digoxin
- Digoxin + Lily of the valley Contraindicated
- Digoxin + Squill Contraindicated
- Adagrasib + Digoxin Major
- Amiodarone + Digoxin Major
- Amlodipine-hydrochlorothiazide-valsartan + Digoxin Major
- Amphotericin b deoxycholate + Digoxin Major
Other interactions of Calcium gluconate
- Calcium gluconate + Ceftriaxone Contraindicated
- Alendronate + Calcium gluconate Moderate
- Amlodipine-atorvastatin + Calcium gluconate Moderate
- Amlodipine-hydrochlorothiazide-valsartan + Calcium gluconate Moderate
- Amlodipine-olmesartan-hydrochlorothiazide + Calcium gluconate Moderate
- Amlodipine-perindopril + Calcium gluconate Moderate
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Calcium gluconate with Digoxin?
MediHelp rates the interaction as major. Calcium gluconate and Digoxin can interact in a way that may be serious. Using them together is sometimes necessary, but it needs a deliberate decision by the prescriber, a plan for monitoring, and clear advice on the warning signs to watch for. Intravenous calcium gluconate in a digitalized patient may precipitate arrhythmias through additive effects on myocardial calcium handling, though it is less concentrated than calcium chloride.
How serious is the interaction between Calcium gluconate and Digoxin?
MediHelp rates it major, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Avoid IV calcium in patients on digoxin unless necessary; if given, infuse slowly with continuous ECG monitoring.
What other medicines interact with Digoxin?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Digoxin with, for example, Lily of the valley, Squill, Adagrasib. The full list is on the Digoxin page.
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