digoxin and Pain

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are a frequently prescribed group of highly effective drugs of which the most well-known side effect is gastrointestinal peptic ulcer. However, NSAIDs have additional renal, cardiovascular, hematological, dermatological, and neurological side effects. Although the spectrum of side effects is slightly different between the conventional NSAIDs and the recently developed cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2) inhibitors, their overall spectrum is quite similar. Aim of this review is to summarize the current knowledge about NSAIDs and their effects on patients with cardio- or cerebrovascular disorders. NSAIDs interact with many drugs which are used in patients with cardio- or cerebrovascular disorders: They attenuate the effects of diuretics, betablockers, ACE inhibitors and AT-2 blockers, thus leading to uncontrolled hypertension or aggravation of heart failure. They increase digoxin levels, potentiate the effect of oral anticoagulants and interact with platelet inhibitors, thus leading to a higher bleeding risk. There are indications that NSAIDs may induce hypertension in normotensives and that COX-2 inhibitors may lead to an increased rate of myocardial infarction and strokes. Based on these data it is recommended that NSAIDs should be avoided in patients with cardio- or cerebrovascular disorders and alternative pharmaceutical, physical or surgical therapy should be applied. If NSAIDs are inevitable, their side effects should be well monitored; they should be prescribed with caution when given in combination with diuretics, betablockers, ACE inhibitors, AT-2 blockers, digitalis, oral anticoagulants and platelet inhibitors. COX- 2 inhibitors should be avoided in patients with known coronary or cerebrovascular disorders. In patients with uncontrolled hypertension or worsening of heart failure, unreported NSAID-use should be considered. Generally, there is a need to develop further analgetic drugs without the described side effects for patients with cardio- and cerebrovascular disorders.

Topics: Adrenergic beta-Antagonists; Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors; Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; Cardiovascular Diseases; Cerebrovascular Disorders; Digoxin; Diuretics; Drug Interactions; Heart Failure; Humans; Hypertension; Myocardial Infarction; Pain

The effects of oral digoxin on symptoms, arrhythmias, exercise tolerance and echocardiographic function in primary mitral leaflet prolapse were studied in 23 patients using a double-blind crossover protocol. Digoxin reduced the incidence and severity of chest pain compared with both the control (P = 0.0002) and placebo (P = 0.0005) periods. We found a high (83%) incidence of predominantly minor arrhythmias on continuous ambulatory monitoring. Digoxin favourably affected the incidence of frequent supraventricular ectopic beats and supraventricular tachycardia but was associated with a significant number (P less than 0.0025) of asymptomatic bradyarrhythmias. In patients with frequent ventricular ectopics, digoxin had no consistent effect. No difference in exercise tolerance between treatment periods was found on maximal treadmill stress testing, but digoxin administration resulted in an increase in echocardiographic mean circumferential fibre shortening velocity (P less than 0.01) and fractional shortening percent (P less than 0.01). This study demonstrates the efficacy of oral digoxin therapy in ameliorating chest pain in patients with primary mitral leaflet prolapse and suggests a favourable effect on supraventricular arrhythmias in such patients.

Topics: Administration, Oral; Adolescent; Adult; Arrhythmias, Cardiac; Clinical Trials as Topic; Digoxin; Double-Blind Method; Echocardiography; Electrocardiography; Female; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Mitral Valve Prolapse; Pain; Physical Exertion; Random Allocation

In recent years, the drug repositioning strategy has gained considerable attention in the drug discovery process that involves establishing new therapeutic uses of already known drugs. In line with this, we have identified digoxin a cardiac glycoside, as a potent inhibitor of soluble epoxide hydrolase (sEH) enzyme employing in silico high throughput screening protocols and further confirmed using in vitro cell-free sEH inhibitory assay and in vivo preclinical studies in rodents for its repurposing in hyperalgesia, inflammation, and related disorders. Oral administration of digoxin at dose 0.2 mg/kg significantly reduced (p < .0001) the allodynia in mice induced by using hot plate (3.6 ± 1.9) and tail-flick test (7.58 ± 0.9). In addition, digoxin at a dose of 0.2 mg/kg showed marked reduction (94%, p < .0001) in acetic acid-induced abdominal contraction in rats. Further, digoxin also demonstrated antipyretic activity (37.04 ± 0.2, p < .0001) and showed notable reduction (0.60 ± 0.06) in carrageenan-induced paw edema in rats. Also, the histopathological evaluation revealed that digoxin treatment attenuated the edema, neutrophil infiltration, and alveolar septal thickening in lung tissue. These findings are novel and highlight the newer insights towards repurposing digoxin as a new lead in the treatment of hyperalgesia, inflammation, and related disorders.

Topics: Analgesics; Animals; Carrageenan; Digoxin; Drug Repositioning; Edema; Hyperalgesia; Inflammation; Mice; Pain; Rats

We sought to qualitatively understand patients' experiences with digoxin as a step before dilation and evacuation (D&E).. We recruited English-speaking women from one abortion health center where digoxin is routinely used before D&E. We interviewed participants one to three weeks after the D&E about physical and emotional experiences with digoxin and understanding of its purpose. Using grounded theory, we analyzed transcripts iteratively, identifying themes from interviews; we stopped recruitment when we reached thematic saturation.. We conducted 20 interviews and participants described mixed experiences. Three overarching themes from the qualitative interviews were: (1) physical and emotional discomfort; (2) varied understanding of digoxin's purpose and effects; and (3) reassurance. Most participants described significantly negative experiences with digoxin; however, many participants also described positive aspects of the injection intermingled with those negative experiences.. Participants' experiences with digoxin before D&E were both polarized and nuanced. While participants were largely clear about digoxin's action, they were much less clear about the reason for its use.. Both the clinical purpose for and patients' experiences with digoxin before D&E are complicated. Providers who continue to use digoxin should consider patient preferences in how they offer digoxin, and consider tools to ensure patient understanding.

Topics: Abortion, Induced; Adult; Digoxin; Dilatation and Curettage; Emotions; Female; Fetal Death; Humans; Informed Consent; Injections; Pain; Patient Preference; Pregnancy; Young Adult

A case of a 62-year-old woman presenting with a 20-year history of vulvodynia previously unresponsive to medical treatment is described. The epidemiology, phenomenology and medical management of vulvodynia is reviewed. The case presentation illustrates the role of pregabalin in successful medical management of this chronic pain disorder, as well as the management of common psychiatric morbidities associated with this condition.

Topics: Amitriptyline; Analgesics; Anti-Ulcer Agents; Anticoagulants; Antidepressive Agents; Anxiety; Cardiotonic Agents; Cataract; Cataract Extraction; Cholecystectomy; Chronic Disease; Citalopram; Digoxin; Female; gamma-Aminobutyric Acid; Heart Failure; Humans; Hypertension; Hysterectomy; Lorazepam; Middle Aged; Mitral Valve Insufficiency; Omeprazole; Ovarian Neoplasms; Pain; Pregabalin; Sterilization, Tubal; Stomach Diseases; Vulvar Diseases

A patient who had received digoxin for 6 months experienced glare and ocular pain induced by eye movement. The symptoms lasted for 2 days and disappeared within hours after the treatment was discontinued. Four months later, digoxin was readministered. After 2 days, the symptoms reappeared but disappeared again within hours of stopping treatment. The origin of the pain is uncertain, although mechanisms related to optic nerve or ocular muscle involvement should be considered. Digoxin toxicity should be included in the differential diagnosis of pain evoked by ocular movements.

Topics: Adult; Digoxin; Eye Movements; Female; Humans; Pain; Truncus Arteriosus, Persistent; Vision Disorders

Topics: Abdomen; Digoxin; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Nephrosclerosis; Pain; Recurrence; Renal Dialysis

Topics: Adrenergic beta-Antagonists; Aged; Antihypertensive Agents; Depression; Digoxin; Diuretics; Drug Hypersensitivity; Drug Prescriptions; Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions; Humans; Hypoglycemic Agents; Inflammation; Intestinal Absorption; Pain; Pharmaceutical Preparations; Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders

Topics: Adrenocorticotropic Hormone; Autopsy; Child; Dermatomyositis; Diagnosis, Differential; Digoxin; Electrocardiography; Female; Heart Atria; Heart Failure; Heart Murmurs; Heart Neoplasms; Humans; Leg; Myxoma; Pain; Penicillins; Rest; Rheumatic Fever; Tachycardia; Ventricular Fibrillation

Topics: Blood Glucose; Calcium; Digoxin; Feeding and Eating Disorders; Gastrointestinal Diseases; Humans; Hypothalamus; Osmolar Concentration; Pain

Topics: Creatine Kinase; Digoxin; Humans; Injections, Intramuscular; Pain

Topics: Angiography; Chest Pain; Digoxin; Drug Therapy; Dyspnea; Humans; Pain; Pathology; Prednisone; Pulmonary Embolism; Pulmonary Heart Disease; Radiography, Thoracic