Digoxin toxicity is POTENTIATED by which of the following electrolyte disturbances?

• A Hyperkalaemia
• B Hypernatraemia
• C Hypermagnesaemia
• D Hypokalaemia ✓

Explanation

Digoxin inhibits the Na-K-ATPase pump; potassium normally competes with digoxin for binding at the extracellular K-binding site of this pump. Hypokalaemia reduces competitive inhibition, effectively increasing digoxin binding to Na-K-ATPase and enhancing toxicity. This is why loop and thiazide diuretics, by causing hypokalaemia, predispose patients taking digoxin to arrhythmias.

Reference: KD Tripathi, Essentials of Medical Pharmacology, 8th ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

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