Thiazide Diuretics · Pharmacology

A patient taking Digoxin is started on Hydrochlorothiazide. What is the primary concern for this drug combination?

  1. Thiazides markedly reduce the intestinal absorption of Digoxin
  2. Thiazides increase renal clearance of Digoxin, causing therapeutic failure
  3. Hypokalemia caused by thiazides increases Digoxin toxicity risk
  4. Hypercalcemia caused by thiazides prevents Digoxin from working
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Correct answer: Hypokalemia caused by thiazides increases Digoxin toxicity risk

Digoxin binds to the Na+/K+ ATPase pump by competing with potassium. Low serum potassium levels (hypokalemia) induced by thiazides allow for increased Digoxin binding, which can lead to life-threatening arrhythmias.

Difficulty: Medium Question 13 of 20

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