Background

Foxglove (Digitalis purpurea, Digitalis lanata) is a plant. It is the source of the modern drug, digoxin. All parts of the plant are poisonous.

The chemicals in foxglove can increase the strength of heart muscle contractions, change heart rate, and increase heart blood output. Chemicals taken from foxglove are used to make the prescription drug digoxin. Digitalis lanata is the major source of digoxin in the US.

People use foxglove for irregular heartbeat and heart failure. It is also used for many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.

All parts of the foxglove plant are toxic. Any use requires monitoring by a medical professional.

Safety Safety definitions

When taken by mouth: Foxglove is unsafe. Any use requires monitoring by a healthcare professional. All plant parts are toxic and can lead to serious side effects and death. Deaths have occurred when foxglove was mistaken for comfrey.

Special Precautions & Warnings:

Pregnancy and breast-feeding: Foxglove is unsafe when taken by mouth while pregnant or breast-feeding. Avoid use.

Children: Taking foxglove by mouth is likely unsafe for children.

Kidney disease: People with kidney problems may not clear foxglove from their system very well. This can increase the chance of foxglove build-up and poisoning.

Effectiveness

Dosing & administration

There isn't enough reliable information to know what an appropriate dose of foxglove might be. Foxglove is also unsafe. Speak with a healthcare provider before use.

Interactions with pharmaceuticals

Antibiotics (Macrolide antibiotics)

Interaction Rating=Moderate Be cautious with this combination.

Foxglove can affect the heart. Some antibiotics might increase how much foxglove the body absorbs. Increasing how much foxglove the body absorbs might increase the effects and side effects of foxglove.

Antibiotics (Tetracycline antibiotics)

Interaction Rating=Moderate Be cautious with this combination.

Taking some antibiotics called tetracyclines with foxglove might increase the chance of side effects from foxglove.

Digoxin (Lanoxin)

Interaction Rating=Major Do not take this combination.

Digoxin helps the heart beat more strongly. Foxglove also seems to affect the heart. Taking foxglove along with digoxin can increase the effects of digoxin and increase the risk of side effects. Do not take foxglove if you are taking digoxin.

Quinine

Interaction Rating=Major Do not take this combination.

Foxglove can affect the heart. Quinine can also affect the heart. Taking quinine along with foxglove might cause serious heart problems.

Stimulant laxatives

Interaction Rating=Moderate Be cautious with this combination.

Foxglove might affect the heart. Stimulant laxatives can cause diarrhea and decrease potassium levels. Low potassium levels can also affect the heart. Taking these products together can increase the risk of side effects.

Water pills (Diuretic drugs)

Interaction Rating=Moderate Be cautious with this combination.

Foxglove might affect the heart. "Water pills" can decrease potassium levels. Low potassium levels can also affect the heart. Taking these products together can increase the risk of side effects.

Interactions with herbs & supplements

Herbs that contain cardiac glycosides: Foxglove contains chemicals that can affect the heart. These chemicals are called cardiac glycosides. Using it along with other supplements that also contain cardiac glycosides can increase the risk of heart damage. Examples of supplements that contain cardiac glycosides include black hellebore, lily-of-the-valley, oleander, and pleurisy root.
Horsetail: Foxglove contains cardiac glycosides, which are chemicals that can affect the heart. Using horsetail with a cardiac glycoside-containing herb such as foxglove can make potassium levels drop so low that there are very serious health effects.
Licorice: Foxglove contains cardiac glycosides, which are chemicals that can affect the heart. Using licorice with a cardiac glycoside-containing herb such as foxglove can make potassium levels drop so low that there are very serious health effects.
Stimulant laxative herbs: Foxglove contains cardiac glycosides, which are chemicals that can affect the heart. Using stimulant laxative herbs with a cardiac glycoside-containing herb such as foxglove can make potassium levels drop so low that there are very serious health effects. Examples of supplements with this effect include aloe, alder buckthorn, gossypol, rhubarb, and senna.

Interactions with foods

There are no known interactions with foods.