study on the possible acute toxic interactions between digoxin and some cardiac drugs in mice

ABSTRACT

Digoxin-drug interactions are relatively common causes of digitalis toxicity. Cardiac patients receiving digoxin therapy are particularly prone to interactions with commonly co-administered medications such as amiodarone [antiarrhythmic] and nimodipine [calcium channel blocker].The aim of this study was to estimate intraperitoneal LD[50] of digoxin, nimodipine and amiodarone in male mice and to detect acute toxic interactions that could occur between digoxin and either nimodipine or amiodarone. It was concluded that LD[50] of digoxin, nimodipine and amiodarone were equal to 3.25 mg/kg, 13.2 mg/kg and 625 mg/kg respectively. Co-administration of LD[50], of digoxin with 1/4, 1/2 and I of LD[50] of nimodipine, reduced acute toxicity to 33%, 67% and 75% respectively. Meanwhile co-administration of digoxin with amiodarone produced acute toxicity equal to 75%, 100% and 100% respectively. A beneficial antagonistic toxic interaction had occurred on concomitant intraperitoneal administration of digoxin and nimodipine in mice meanwhile a synergistic toxic interaction had occurred between digoxin and amiodarone