Digoxin-induced abdominal pain in a patient undergoing maintenance hemodialysis

A patient who had recently been started on digoxin developed acute severe right upper quadrant pain shortly after hemodialysis. He underwent an extensive work-up for abdominal pain but all findings were normal. With reduction of digoxin dosage, a substantial relief of pain was achieved. The pain totally resolved when digoxin was discontinued and recurred when it was restarted. Cardiac glycosides may be a cause of abdominal pain in patients undergoing maintenance hemodialysis and this side effect should be considered before costly work-up is performed.