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Differential Pharmacokinetics of Digoxin in Elderly Patients

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Abstract

Digoxin remains one of the most commonly prescribed of all cardiac medications. The main indications for digoxin usage include atrial fibrillation and heart failure; both these conditions are more prevalent in older patients. Given the aging population and the increasing incidence of heart failure we would expect prescribing of digoxin to remain as frequent or to even increase in older patients. Older patients are also more likely to develop toxicity and diagnosis of digoxin toxicity can be difficult in this group. Numerous components contribute to the development of toxicity in older patients, ranging from aging-related changes in renal function or body mass to polypharmacy and possible interactions with digoxin. It is therefore important to understand how the pharmacokinetics of digoxin may be altered in the older population. Application of basic pharmacological principles may be helpful in anticipating these problems. This review describes the pharmacokinetics of digoxin, the changes in pharmacokinetics with increasing age and how concomitant disease states or drug interactions may affect the pharmacokinetics of digoxin. Greater knowledge about the causes and prevention of digoxin toxicity should further reduce the morbidity and mortality arising from digoxin toxicity, especially in the elderly population.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Therapeutics and Pharmacology, Queen’s University of Belfast, Belfast, Northern Ireland

    Colm G. Hanratty, Paul McGlinchey & G. Dennis Johnston

  2. Department of Elderly Care, Queen’s University of Belfast, Belfast, Northern Ireland

    A. Peter Passmore

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  1. Colm G. Hanratty
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  2. Paul McGlinchey
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  3. G. Dennis Johnston
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  4. A. Peter Passmore
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Correspondence to Colm G. Hanratty.

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Hanratty, C.G., McGlinchey, P., Johnston, G.D. et al. Differential Pharmacokinetics of Digoxin in Elderly Patients. Drugs & Aging 17, 353–362 (2000). https://doi.org/10.2165/00002512-200017050-00003

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