Digitoxin

Digitoxin is a cardiac glycoside. It has similar structure and effects to digoxin (though the effects are longer-lasting). 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. ^[1]

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Toxicity

Digitoxin exhibits similar toxic effects to the more-commonly used digoxin, namely: anorexia, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, confusion, visual disturbances, and cardiac arrhythmias. Anti-digoxin antibody fragments, the specific treatment for digoxin poisoning, are also effective in serious digitoxin toxicity.^[2]

References

1. ^ Treatment of congestive heart failure--current status of use of digitoxin. Belz GG, Breithaupt-Grogler K and Osowski U. Eur J Clin Invest. 2001;31 Suppl 2:10-7. PMID: 11525233 (accessed 20 Sep 2006)
2. ^ Treatment of a patient with severe digitoxin intoxication by Fab fragments of anti-digitalis antibodies. Kurowski V, Iven H and Djonlagic H. Intensive Care Med 1992;18(7):439-42. PMID: 1469187 (accessed 19 Sep 2006