Use of cholestyramine in the treatment of digoxin intoxication

The bile acid-binding resin cholestyramine was administered in a dose of 4 g every six hours to a patient with digoxin intoxication. The serum digoxin concentration declined rapidly, and the digoxin half-life decreased from 75.5 hours to 19.9 hours while cholestyramine was administered. All signs and symptoms of toxic reaction subsided during the period of cholestyramine therapy, which correlated with the decline in digoxin concentrations. Cholestyramine and a related agent, colestipol, presumably interrupt the enterohepatic recycling of digoxin to enhance elimination. These agents represent potentially useful adjunctive measures in the management of non-life-threatening digitalis intoxication.