Re: Is Digoxin safe to take while pregnant?

Posted By CCF CARDIO MD - DLB on September 30, 1998 at 10:32:14:

In Reply to: Is Digoxin safe to take while pregnant? posted by kathy on September 30, 1998 at 09:27:17:






I am 25 years old and was 8 months pregnant when i was diagnosed and put on medication
called digoxin for irregular heart rate. i wore a holter and it concluded this
But what i want to know is was it safe to take this medicine being pregnant
because my baby died 4 days before her due date and i didn't have an autopsy done
but i have quit taking my medicine. i still have the heart palpitations but i will
just live with them until i know for sure that my medication is safe. Do you know
anything about this kind of scenario?  I would appreciate the help.
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Dear Kathy
I am so sorry to hear about your baby.
Digoxin is generally considered safe during pregnancy, as well as at other times. Of course, the dose needs to be monitored by a doctor. Digoxin is used for heart rate problems (in the mother and sometimes also in the fetus) and also for heart failure.
You should see your doctor again about the palpitations and see if you should be back on a medicine. In addition, you should see if your doctors know what went wrong with the previous pregnancy and what the chances are of a future pregnancy being affected.
I wish you the best of luck. Feel free to write back.
If you wish to be evaluated here at the Cleveland Clinic, please call 1-800-CCF-CARE for an appointment with a cardiologist at desk F15.  Information provided in the Heart Forum is for general purposes only.  Specific diagnoses and therapies can only be provided by your doctor.