Last update Nov. 21, 2022

Digoxin

Compatible

Safe product and/or breastfeeding is the best option.

Digoxin is a cardiac glycoside used in the treatment of mild to moderate heart failure and for the control of supraventricular arrhythmias, such as atrial fibrillation. Oral and intravenous administration.

It is excreted in breast milk in clinically insignificant amounts. (AEMPS 2013, GSK 2009, Tan 2001, Reinhardt 1982, Finley 1979, Loughnan 1978, Chan 1978, Levy 1977)

No problems have been observed in infants whose mothers were taking it. (Miller 1986, Finley 1979, Loughnan 1978)

The plasma levels of these infants were undetectable or very low. (Tan 2001, Reinhardt 1982, Finley 1979, Loughnan 1978)

Expert authors consider the use of this medication probably compatible during breastfeeding (Hale, Kearney 2018). List of essential WHO medications: compatible with breastfeeding (WHO/ UNICEF, 2002). American Academy of Pediatrics: medication usually compatible with breastfeeding. (AAP 2001)

Alternatives

We do not have alternatives for Digoxin since it is relatively safe.

Suggestions made at e-lactancia are done by APILAM team of health professionals, and are based on updated scientific publications. It is not intended to replace the relationship you have with your doctor but to compound it. The pharmaceutical industry contraindicates breastfeeding, mistakenly and without scientific reasons, in most of the drug data sheets.

Jose Maria Paricio, Founder & President of APILAM/e-Lactancia

Your contribution is essential for this service to continue to exist. We need the generosity of people like you who believe in the benefits of breastfeeding.

Thank you for helping to protect and promote breastfeeding.

José María Paricio, founder of e-lactancia.

Other names

Digoxin is also known as


Digoxin in other languages or writings:

Group

Digoxin belongs to this group or family:

Tradenames

Main tradenames from several countries containing Digoxin in its composition:

Pharmacokinetics

Variable Value Unit
Oral Bioavail. 60 - 85 %
Molecular weight 781 daltons
Protein Binding 20 - 30 %
VD 6 - 7 l/Kg
pKa 7.15 -
Tmax 1 - 3 hours
42 hours
M/P ratio 0.6 - 0.9 -
Theoretical Dose 0.00006 - 0.0003 mg/Kg/d
Relative Dose 0.4 - 6 %
Ped.Relat.Dose 0.4 - 2.9 %

References

  1. Hale TW. Medications & Mothers' Milk. 1991- . Springer Publishing Company. Available from https://www.halesmeds.com Consulted on April 10, 2024 Full text (link to original source)
  2. Kearney L, Wright P, Fhadil S, Thomas M. Postpartum Cardiomyopathy and Considerations for Breastfeeding. Card Fail Rev. 2018 Abstract Full text (link to original source) Full text (in our servers)
  3. IARC - WHO. International Agency for research on Cancer. Some Drugs and Herbal Products. IARC Monographs on the Evaluation of Carcinogenic Risks to Humans Volume 108. 2016 Full text (link to original source)
  4. WHO / UNICEF. BREASTFEEDING AND MATERNAL MEDICATION Recommendations for Drugs in the Eleventh WHO Model List of Essential Drugs. Department of Child and Adolescent Health and Development (WHO/UNICEF) 2002 Abstract Full text (link to original source) Full text (in our servers)
  5. AAP - American Academy of Pediatrics Committee on Drugs. Transfer of drugs and other chemicals into human milk. Pediatrics. 2001 Sep;108(3):776-89. Abstract Full text (link to original source) Full text (in our servers)
  6. Tan HL, Lie KI. Treatment of tachyarrhythmias during pregnancy and lactation. Eur Heart J. 2001 Abstract Full text (link to original source) Full text (in our servers)
  7. Miller MR, Withers R, Bhamra R, Holt DW. Verapamil and breast-feeding. Eur J Clin Pharmacol. 1986 Abstract
  8. Reinhardt D, Richter O, Genz T, Potthoff S. Kinetics of the translactal passage of digoxin from breast feeding mothers to their infants. Eur J Pediatr. 1982 Abstract
  9. Finley JP, Waxman MB, Wong PY, Lickrish GM. Digoxin excretion in human milk. J Pediatr. 1979 Abstract
  10. Chan V, Tse TF, Wong V. Transfer of digoxin across the placenta and into breast milk. Br J Obstet Gynaecol. 1978 Abstract
  11. Loughnan PM. Digoxin excretion in human breast milk. J Pediatr. 1978 Abstract
  12. Levy M, Granit L, Laufer N. Excretion of drugs in human milk. N Engl J Med. 1977 Abstract

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