Tag: Cardiac glycosides

Recent estimates show that atrial fibrillation (AFib) affects over 10.5 million adults in the United States, or about 1 in 22 people. For over 200 years, a key question in managing this condition has been, **does digoxin help AFib?**.

Studies have shown that up to 52% of adults using prescription medication also take at least one dietary supplement, often without informing their doctor. This lack of communication can be particularly dangerous for individuals taking digoxin, a narrow therapeutic index drug, as certain herbs can cause life-threatening interactions. To answer the question, 'Which of the following herbs should not be combined with digoxin?', it is crucial to understand the specific risks associated with several common herbal supplements.

In 2022, U.S. Poison Control Centers reported 2,007 exposures to plants containing cardiac glycosides [1.7.3]. This guide answers the critical question: What plants cause digoxin toxicity and how can you identify them?

According to the American Academy of Family Physicians, many patients and doctors are unaware of the dangerous interactions between common herbal remedies and prescription drugs. If you take this critical heart medication, understanding what herbs should I avoid with digoxin is crucial for your safety and treatment effectiveness.

Although the use of digitalis has significantly decreased due to newer alternatives, its toxicity remains a persistent and serious clinical problem, with estimates showing thousands of emergency department visits annually for this condition. Understanding **how common is digitalis toxicity** today is vital for both healthcare providers and patients who continue to rely on this medication.

Originally derived from the foxglove plant, digitalis has been used for centuries, but its role in modern cardiology has evolved significantly, raising the question: What patients are treated with digitalis? In current clinical practice, it is no longer a first-line treatment for most heart conditions but remains a valuable adjunctive therapy for specific patient groups.

In the United States, heart failure is a primary or contributing cause for approximately 1 in 8 deaths [1.7.3]. For many managing this condition, a key question is: can you take Ramipril and digoxin together? This combination is common but requires careful management [1.6.2].

Dating back to ancient Egypt, squill (*Drimia maritima*) has been used for everything from heart ailments to a rodenticide [1.5.1, 1.5.4]. Despite this long history, the answer to 'Is squill tincture safe?' is a definitive no for oral consumption due to its potent, toxic compounds [1.2.3, 1.2.8].

All parts of the foxglove plant are toxic if ingested, containing potent cardiac glycosides. Therefore, the answer to "how long does foxglove take to work?" depends critically on whether you are talking about accidental poisoning or the medically controlled use of a drug derived from the plant.

Over 200 years ago, English physician William Withering documented the medicinal properties of the foxglove plant (*Digitalis purpurea*), an insight that became a foundation for modern cardiology. His work identified that preparations of digitalis could treat "dropsy," a condition now known as edema caused by congestive heart failure. Today, the cardiac glycoside derived from this plant, known as digoxin, is used to answer the question, "What condition does digitalis treat?," primarily serving as a second-line therapy for heart failure and rate control for certain heart rhythm problems.