Drug interactions
Digoxin + Senna
Severity: Moderate
Digoxin and Senna: 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
Prolonged or excessive senna use can cause diarrhea and potassium loss. Hypokalemia makes the heart more sensitive to digoxin and raises the risk of arrhythmias and digoxin toxicity.
What this interaction means in plain words
Digoxin and Senna 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; Senna belongs to Gastrointestinal Tract.
Why it happens
Laxative-induced gastrointestinal potassium loss produces hypokalemia, which enhances digoxin's cardiac toxicity.
What to do
Avoid prolonged senna use, and monitor serum potassium and magnesium in patients using it regularly. Correct electrolyte deficits and watch for signs of digoxin toxicity.
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 Senna
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Digoxin with Senna?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Digoxin and Senna 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. Prolonged or excessive senna use can cause diarrhea and potassium loss. Hypokalemia makes the heart more sensitive to digoxin and raises the risk of arrhythmias and digoxin toxicity.
How serious is the interaction between Digoxin and Senna?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Avoid prolonged senna use, and monitor serum potassium and magnesium in patients using it regularly. Correct electrolyte deficits and watch for signs of digoxin toxicity.
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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