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Does Diltiazem Help Reduce Swelling In The Legs?
I am currently takin diltiazem for Atrial Fribullation, I was told to add a new drug to reduce swelling in my legs called digoxin - - the description for this drug indicates it reverses the effects of diltiazem which is a Calcium Channel Blocker. Why can t I just stop taking diltiazem?
Sun, 16 Sep 2018
Hello,
I understand you have a question about Digoxin. Actually, I have never heard of Digoxin described as reversing the effect of Diltiazem, this is not how Digoxin works. Digoxin works on the heart by increasing the strength of the heart when it pumps blood, and helps control your heart rhythm in atrial fibrillation as well. It is possible that Digoxin might help with the swelling in your legs if that is from congestive heart failure, but I would not expect it to help much; you would need a diuretic medication like Furosemide to significantly reduce your swelling.
Diltiazem can also cause swelling, but if your swelling is from Diltiazem I would not expect Digoxin to help. Both Diltiazem and Digoxin can be used in atrial fibrillation to control your heart rate, and oftentimes they are used together for this.I hope that helps and you understand better about the medications you are using.
Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Regards,
Dr. Aaron Branch,
General & Family Physician
I understand you have a question about Digoxin. Actually, I have never heard of Digoxin described as reversing the effect of Diltiazem, this is not how Digoxin works. Digoxin works on the heart by increasing the strength of the heart when it pumps blood, and helps control your heart rhythm in atrial fibrillation as well. It is possible that Digoxin might help with the swelling in your legs if that is from congestive heart failure, but I would not expect it to help much; you would need a diuretic medication like Furosemide to significantly reduce your swelling.
Diltiazem can also cause swelling, but if your swelling is from Diltiazem I would not expect Digoxin to help. Both Diltiazem and Digoxin can be used in atrial fibrillation to control your heart rate, and oftentimes they are used together for this.I hope that helps and you understand better about the medications you are using.
Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Regards,
Dr. Aaron Branch,
General & Family Physician
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