Digoxin with Colestipol Interaction Details
Brand Names Associated with Digoxin
- Cardoxin®
- Digitek®
- Digoxin
- Lanoxicaps®
- Lanoxin®
Brand Names Associated with Colestipol
- Colestid®
- Colestid® Flavored Granules
- Colestid® Granules
- Colestipol
Medical Content Editor Dr. Brian Staiger, PharmD
Last updated
Jan 08, 2024
Interaction Effect
Decreased digoxin effectiveness
Interaction Summary
Colestipol may decrease digitalis glycoside absorption and increase clearance by interrupting the enterohepatic cycle. Measure digoxin concentrations prior to initiation of concurrent use. Increase the digoxin dose by approximately 20% to 40%, if necessary, and continue monitoring digoxin plasma concentration levels
Severity
Major
Onset
Rapid
Evidence
Probable
How To Manage Interaction
Coadministration of colestipol and digoxin may decrease digoxin plasma concentrations. Measure digoxin concentrations prior to initiation of concurrent use. Increase the digoxin dose by approximately 20% to 40%, if necessary, and continue monitoring digoxin plasma concentration levels
Mechanism Of Interaction
Decreased digoxin absorption
Literature Reports
A) There is conflicting information concerning the effect of concomitant digoxin and colestipol therapy. Colestipol may bind digitalis glycosides in the gastrointestinal tract, thereby impairing their initial absorption and enterohepatic circulation. The half-life of elimination of digoxin was 55 hours versus the predicted half-life of 85 hours when colestipol was administered to a patient with digoxin intoxication . A reduction in plasma digitoxin levels was seen when colestipol was administered to four patients with digitoxin intoxication .
B) Decreased plasma levels of digitoxin were not seen in 11 patients administered colestipol . Colestipol 10 g did not reduce the absorption of digoxin 0.25 mg in six healthy volunteers .
Digoxin Overview
-
Digoxin is used to treat heart failure and abnormal heart rhythms (arrhythmias). It helps the heart work better and it helps control your heart rate.
Colestipol Overview
-
Colestipol is used along with diet changes to decrease the amount of fatty substances such as low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol ('bad cholesterol') in certain people with high cholesterol. Colestipol is in a class of medications called bile acid sequestrants. It works by binding bile acids in your intestines to form a product that is removed from the body.
Return To Our Drug Interaction Homepage
Feedback, Question Or Comment About This Information?
Ask Dr. Brian Staiger, PharmD, our medical editor, directly! He's always more than happy to assist.
Definitions
Severity Categories
Contraindicated
These drugs, generally, should not be used together simultaneously due to the high risk of severe adverse effects. Combining these medications can lead to dangerous health outcomes and should be strictly avoided unless otherwise instructed by your provider.
Major
This interaction could result in very serious and potentially life-threatening consequences. If you are taking this drug combination, it is very important to be under close medical supervision to minimize severe side effects and ensure your safety. It may be necessary to change a medication or dosage to prevent harm.
Moderate
This interaction has the potential to worsen your medical condition or alter the effectiveness of your treatment. It's important that you are monitored closely and you potentially may need to make adjustments in your treatment plan or drug dosage to maintain optimal health.
Minor
While this interaction is unlikely to cause significant problems, it could intensify side effects or reduce the effectiveness of one or both medications. Monitoring for changes in symptoms and your condition is recommended, and adjustments may be made if needed to manage any increased or more pronounced side effects.
Onset
Rapid: Onset of drug interaction typically occurs within 24 hours of co-administration.
Delayed: Onset of drug interaction typically occurs more than 24 hours after co-administration.
Evidence
Level of documentation of the interaction.
Established: The interaction is documented and substantiated in peer-reviewed medical literature.
Theoretical: This interaction is not fully supported by current medical evidence or well-documented sources, but it is based on known drug mechanisms, drug effects, and other relevant information.
How To Manage The Interaction
Provides a detailed discussion on how patients and clinicians can approach the identified drug interaction as well as offers guidance on what to expect and strategies to potentially mitigate the effects of the interaction. This may include recommendations on adjusting medication dosages, altering the timing of drug administration, or closely monitoring for specific symptoms.
It's important to note that all medical situations are unique, and management approaches should be tailored to individual circumstances. Patients should always consult their healthcare provider for personalized advice and guidance on managing drug interactions effectively.
Mechanism Of Interaction
The theorized or clinically determined reason (i.e., mechanism) why the drug-drug interaction occurs.
Disclaimer: The information provided on this page is for informational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult with a qualified healthcare professional regarding your specific circumstances and medical conditions.
Where Does Our Information Come From?
Information for our drug interactions is compiled from several drug compendia, including:
The prescribing information for each drug, as published on DailyMED, is also used.
Individual drug-drug interaction detail pages contain references specific to that interaction. You can click on the reference number within brackets '[]' to see what reference was utilized.
The information posted is fact-checked by HelloPharmacist clinicians and reviewed quarterly.