Drug interactions
Digoxin + Phenobarbital
Severity: Moderate
Digoxin and Phenobarbital: 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
Phenobarbital may induce P-glycoprotein and hepatic enzymes, which can lower digoxin levels and reduce its effect. The effect develops over days to weeks and reverses after stopping phenobarbital.
What this interaction means in plain words
Digoxin and Phenobarbital 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
Enzyme and P-glycoprotein induction increases digoxin elimination and reduces absorption.
What to do
Monitor digoxin concentrations and clinical response after starting or stopping phenobarbital, and adjust the digoxin dose.
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 Digoxin with Phenobarbital?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Digoxin and Phenobarbital 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. Phenobarbital may induce P-glycoprotein and hepatic enzymes, which can lower digoxin levels and reduce its effect. The effect develops over days to weeks and reverses after stopping phenobarbital.
How serious is the interaction between Digoxin and Phenobarbital?
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 concentrations and clinical response after starting or stopping phenobarbital, and adjust the digoxin dose.
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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