Effect of salbutamol on digoxin concentration in serum and skeletal muscle

Beta 2-receptor stimulation has been reported to increase the concentration of 3H-ouabain in rat skeletal muscle. The present study was undertaken to see if beta 2-adrenoceptor stimulation by i.v. injection of salbutamol had any influence on the pharmacokinetics of digoxin in man. Ten volunteers were digitalized with digoxin and were investigated on two occasions. On each occasion a muscle biopsy was taken from the quadriceps after 2 h of supine rest. An injection of salbutamol 4 micrograms.kg-1 b.wt. or saline was then given intravenously. Blood samples were taken before and after the injection and further muscle biopsy was taken from the same thigh 120 min after the injection. Compared to the injection of saline, salbutamol caused a decrease in the serum digoxin and potassium concentrations. The change in serum potassium was significantly correlated with that in digoxin. The digoxin concentration in skeletal muscle was not significantly changed by either the salbutamol or saline injections.