A cardiac glycoside sometimes used in place of digoxin. It has a longer half-life than digoxin; toxic effects, which are similar to those of digoxin, are longer lasting. (From Martindale, The Extra Pharmacopoeia, 30th ed, p665)

• Anti-Arrhythmia Agents
• Carbohydrates
• Cardanolides
• Cardenolides
• Cardiac Glycosides
• Cardiac Therapy
• Cardiotonic Agents
• Cardiovascular Agents
• Cardiovascular System
• Cytochrome P-450 CYP3A4 Substrates
• Digitalis Glycosides
• Enzyme Inhibitors
• Glycosides
• P-glycoprotein/ABCB1 Substrates
• Protective Agents
• Steroids

For the treatment and management of congestive cardiac insufficiency, arrhythmias and heart failure.

Digitoxin is a cardiac glycoside sometimes used in place of DIGOXIN. It has a longer half-life than digoxin; toxic effects, which are similar to those of digoxin, are longer lasting (From Martindale, The Extra Pharmacopoeia, 30th ed, p665). Unlike digoxin (which is eliminated from the body via the kidneys), it is eliminated via the liver, so could be used in patients with poor or erratic kidney function. However, it is now rarely used in current UK medical practice. While there have been several controlled trials which have shown digoxin to be effective in a proportion of patients treated for heart failure, there is not the same strong evidence base for digitoxin, although it is presumed to be similarly effective.

Digitoxin exhibits similar toxic effects to the more-commonly used digoxin, namely: anorexia, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, confusion, visual disturbances, and cardiac arrhythmias.

• Humans and other mammals

• Avoid avocado.
• Avoid bran and high fiber foods within 2 hours of taking this medication.
• Avoid excess salt/sodium unless otherwise instructed by your physician.
• Avoid milk, calcium containing dairy products, iron, antacids, or aluminum salts 2 hours before or 6 hours after using antacids while on this medication.
• Avoid salt substitutes containing potassium.
• Limit garlic, ginger, gingko, and horse chestnut.

1. Belz GG, Breithaupt-Grogler K, Osowski U: Treatment of congestive heart failure--current status of use of digitoxin. Eur J Clin Invest. 2001;31 Suppl 2:10-7. [PubMed:11525233 ]
2. Kurowski V, Iven H, Djonlagic H: Treatment of a patient with severe digitoxin intoxication by Fab fragments of anti-digitalis antibodies. Intensive Care Med. 1992;18(7):439-42. [PubMed:1469187 ]
3. Johansson S, Lindholm P, Gullbo J, Larsson R, Bohlin L, Claeson P: Cytotoxicity of digitoxin and related cardiac glycosides in human tumor cells. Anticancer Drugs. 2001 Jun;12(5):475-83. [PubMed:11395576 ]
4. Hippius M, Humaid B, Sicker T, Hoffmann A, Gottler M, Hasford J: Adverse drug reaction monitoring--digitoxin overdosage in the elderly. Int J Clin Pharmacol Ther. 2001 Aug;39(8):336-43. [PubMed:11515708 ]

• C01AA — Digitalis glycosides
• C01A — CARDIAC GLYCOSIDES
• C01 — CARDIAC THERAPY
• C — CARDIOVASCULAR SYSTEM

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