What are common side effects of digitalis/digoxin?

What are common side effects of digitalis/digoxin?

• A. Nausea, vomiting, visual disturbances (yellow/green halos), arrhythmias if toxic.
• B. Headache and dizziness.
• C. Cough and sore throat.
• D. Nasal congestion.

Answer: (A)

Digoxin’s most characteristic adverse effects involve the digestive system and the visual system, with cardiac rhythm problems emerging when levels are toxic. Early and common symptoms include nausea, vomiting, and loss of appetite, and a classic visual change is yellow-green halos or blurred vision. If the drug becomes toxic, arrhythmias can develop due to its effects on cardiac conduction and automaticity. This happens because digoxin inhibits the Na+/K+ ATPase pump, raising intracellular calcium in heart cells and increasing vagal tone, but the same actions create a narrow therapeutic window and raise the risk of toxicity, especially with kidney impairment or electrolyte disturbances. While headache or dizziness can occur, and other symptoms listed aren’t typical, the combination of GI upset, visual changes, and potential arrhythmias best reflects common digitalis/digoxin side effects.

Digoxin’s most characteristic adverse effects involve the digestive system and the visual system, with cardiac rhythm problems emerging when levels are toxic. Early and common symptoms include nausea, vomiting, and loss of appetite, and a classic visual change is yellow-green halos or blurred vision. If the drug becomes toxic, arrhythmias can develop due to its effects on cardiac conduction and automaticity. This happens because digoxin inhibits the Na+/K+ ATPase pump, raising intracellular calcium in heart cells and increasing vagal tone, but the same actions create a narrow therapeutic window and raise the risk of toxicity, especially with kidney impairment or electrolyte disturbances. While headache or dizziness can occur, and other symptoms listed aren’t typical, the combination of GI upset, visual changes, and potential arrhythmias best reflects common digitalis/digoxin side effects.