Drug interactions
Demeclocycline + Digoxin
Severity: Moderate
Demeclocycline 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
In a minority of patients, gut bacteria metabolize digoxin to inactive products, and antibiotics can reduce this metabolism. Digoxin levels may rise and cause toxicity in affected patients.
What this interaction means in plain words
Demeclocycline 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.
Why it happens
Tetracycline antibiotics suppress intestinal flora (Eubacterium lentum) that inactivate digoxin, increasing its bioavailability.
What to do
Monitor digoxin levels and for toxicity symptoms when starting or stopping demeclocycline. Adjust the digoxin dose as indicated by levels.
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
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Demeclocycline with Digoxin?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Demeclocycline 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. In a minority of patients, gut bacteria metabolize digoxin to inactive products, and antibiotics can reduce this metabolism. Digoxin levels may rise and cause toxicity in affected patients.
How serious is the interaction between Demeclocycline 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 for toxicity symptoms when starting or stopping demeclocycline. Adjust the digoxin dose as indicated by levels.
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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