Which cardiac medication should be titrated down for patients with diabetes mellitus and why?

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The medication that should be titrated down for patients with diabetes mellitus is Digoxin, primarily due to the risk of toxicity and its dependence on renal excretion.

In patients with diabetes, there is an increased risk of renal impairment, which can alter the clearance of medications that are excreted by the kidneys, including Digoxin. As kidney function declines, the levels of Digoxin in the bloodstream can rise, leading to an increased risk of toxicity. Symptoms of Digoxin toxicity can include nausea, vomiting, confusion, and visual disturbances. In elderly patients, who commonly have both diabetes and declining renal function, the potential for toxic effects necessitates careful monitoring and possible dose adjustments.

Other medications listed may also require monitoring, but they do not have the same level of concern regarding renal excretion and toxicity specifically linked to diabetes mellitus as Digoxin does. Thus, titrating down Digoxin is particularly important in this population to avoid serious adverse effects.

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