Drug interactions
Digoxin + Oxytetracycline
Severity: Moderate
Digoxin and Oxytetracycline: 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
Oral tetracyclines can suppress gut bacteria that inactivate digoxin, and in some patients this raises digoxin absorption and serum levels. Reports of toxicity exist for tetracycline antibiotics, especially in patients with high bacterial metabolism of digoxin.
What this interaction means in plain words
Digoxin and Oxytetracycline 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.
Digoxin belongs to Cardiovascular; Oxytetracycline belongs to Anti Bacterial.
Why it happens
Suppression of intestinal Eubacterium lentum reduces digoxin inactivation, increasing bioavailability.
What to do
Monitor digoxin levels and signs of toxicity during and after oral oxytetracycline therapy, and reduce the digoxin dose if levels rise.
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 Oxytetracycline
- Isotretinoin + Oxytetracycline Contraindicated
- Aluminum hydroxide + Oxytetracycline Moderate
- Ampicillin-sulbactam + Oxytetracycline Moderate
- Ampicillin + Oxytetracycline Moderate
- Atracurium + Oxytetracycline Moderate
- Bismuth subsalicylate + Oxytetracycline Moderate
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Digoxin with Oxytetracycline?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Digoxin and Oxytetracycline 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. Oral tetracyclines can suppress gut bacteria that inactivate digoxin, and in some patients this raises digoxin absorption and serum levels. Reports of toxicity exist for tetracycline antibiotics, especially in patients with high bacterial metabolism of digoxin.
How serious is the interaction between Digoxin and Oxytetracycline?
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 signs of toxicity during and after oral oxytetracycline therapy, and reduce the digoxin dose if levels rise.
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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