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Can Digoxin , Coloxyl And Senna Be Crushed Before Intake?

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Posted on Tue, 22 Sep 2015
Question: Can these medications be crushed (digoxin, coloxyl and senna)?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Ilir Sharka (28 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Digoxin can have serious interactions when combined with coloxyl and senna

Detailed Answer:
Hello!

Thank you for asking on HCM!

I understand your concern, and would like to explain that laxatives like coloxyl and senna can have serious medical interactions with digoxin.

Overuse of laxatives (like coloxyl and senna) can lead to potassium depletion, which increases the risk of dangerous digoxin side effects (like severe cardiac arrhythmia).

Although occasional, short-term use of senna and coloxyl is not expected to cause significant problems. A careful monitoring of potassium plasma levels is needed.

I recommend discussing with your attending physician on the above issues and consider the possibility of taking lactulose instead of senna, if you suffer from chronic constipation. This pharmacological component has no interactions with digoxin.

Some modifications in your lifestyle will help you with constipation:

- modify your diet (taking more olive oil, cereals, more fibers, plenty of fluids and eliminate fast food and some foods which are known to cause constipation)
- perform more physical exercise.

Hope to have been helpful!

Greetings!

Dr. Iliri
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Follow up: Dr. Ilir Sharka (12 minutes later)
These 2 medications are prescribed for a patient with an NG tube and I want to know whether or not to crush these meds ordilute it in water for administration as a Registered Nurse?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Ilir Sharka (24 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Yes, you can crash them in water, apart from each other in a time distance

Detailed Answer:
Hello again,

You can crush both these drugs in water, for the administration in the NG tube, but I would recommend taking them in a time distance from each other, in order to avoid possible absorption interactions (decrease of digoxin absorption).

You should crush digoxine and senna and sodium coloxyl during different meals or to some hours distance from each other.

I recommend to closely monitor the potassium plasma levels, or discuss with the attending physician on the serious potential interactions between these drugs (as I mentioned before).

Hope to have been helpful!

Feel free to ask any other questions, whenever you need!

Best regards,

Dr. Iliri
Note: For further queries related to coronary artery disease and prevention, click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. Ilir Sharka

Cardiologist

Practicing since :2001

Answered : 9536 Questions

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Can Digoxin , Coloxyl And Senna Be Crushed Before Intake?

Brief Answer: Digoxin can have serious interactions when combined with coloxyl and senna Detailed Answer: Hello! Thank you for asking on HCM! I understand your concern, and would like to explain that laxatives like coloxyl and senna can have serious medical interactions with digoxin. Overuse of laxatives (like coloxyl and senna) can lead to potassium depletion, which increases the risk of dangerous digoxin side effects (like severe cardiac arrhythmia). Although occasional, short-term use of senna and coloxyl is not expected to cause significant problems. A careful monitoring of potassium plasma levels is needed. I recommend discussing with your attending physician on the above issues and consider the possibility of taking lactulose instead of senna, if you suffer from chronic constipation. This pharmacological component has no interactions with digoxin. Some modifications in your lifestyle will help you with constipation: - modify your diet (taking more olive oil, cereals, more fibers, plenty of fluids and eliminate fast food and some foods which are known to cause constipation) - perform more physical exercise. Hope to have been helpful! Greetings! Dr. Iliri