Drug interactions
Cytarabine + Digoxin
Severity: Moderate
Cytarabine and Digoxin: moderate 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
Cytotoxic chemotherapy regimens that include cytarabine can damage the gut mucosa and reduce absorption of digoxin tablets. This may lead to subtherapeutic digoxin levels and reduced effect, which can persist for days after chemotherapy.
What this interaction means in plain words
Cytarabine and Digoxin can affect each other. The combination is often manageable, but it may need a change of dose, a change of timing, or extra checks while both are taken.
Cytarabine belongs to Oncology; Digoxin belongs to Cardiovascular.
Why it happens
Chemotherapy-induced intestinal mucosal injury impairs absorption of oral digoxin tablets.
What to do
Monitor digoxin levels and clinical response; consider digoxin capsules or the intravenous route, and watch for toxicity when chemotherapy ends and absorption recovers.
What to ask your pharmacist
- Should I take them at different times of day?
- Does the dose of either medicine need to change?
- Is there anything I should avoid, such as alcohol or certain foods, while on both?
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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 Cytarabine
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Cytarabine with Digoxin?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Cytarabine and Digoxin can affect each other. The combination is often manageable, but it may need a change of dose, a change of timing, or extra checks while both are taken. Cytotoxic chemotherapy regimens that include cytarabine can damage the gut mucosa and reduce absorption of digoxin tablets. This may lead to subtherapeutic digoxin levels and reduced effect, which can persist for days after chemotherapy.
How serious is the interaction between Cytarabine and Digoxin?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Monitor digoxin levels and clinical response; consider digoxin capsules or the intravenous route, and watch for toxicity when chemotherapy ends and absorption recovers.
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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