digitoxin

pharmacology

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June 25, 2026

Quick Summary

Digitoxin is a poisonous cardiotonic glycoside derived from the foxglove plant (Digitalis purpurea). It is a primary constituent of digitalis, a group of drugs used to treat congestive heart failure and to slow the heart rate in certain arrhythmias. Digitoxin works by strengthening the heart muscle's contractions, improving circulation. However, it has a narrow therapeutic range, meaning too much can be toxic and cause adverse effects like heart palpitations, anorexia, vomiting, and visual disturbances. Careful monitoring is essential during treatment.123

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cardiovascular drug
Contractions
…used therapeutically are digoxin and digitoxin.
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…used therapeutically are digoxin and digitoxin.
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steroid
Cardiac glycosides and aglycones
in foxglove (Digitalis): digitoxin, gitoxin, and digoxin. Each of these contains a specific aglycone (e.g., digitoxigenin [23] is the aglycone of digitoxin) linked to three molecules of the sugar digitoxose and is derived from a more complex glycoside (digilanides A, B, and C, respectively) from which glucose and…
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in foxglove (Digitalis): digitoxin, gitoxin, and digoxin. Each of these contains a specific aglycone (e.g., digitoxigenin [23] is the aglycone of digitoxin) linked to three molecules of the sugar digitoxose and is derived from a more complex glycoside (digilanides A, B, and C, respectively) from which glucose and…
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heart failure
Treatment
…drugs such as digoxin and digitoxin may be prescribed to strengthen heart contractions. . (These latter drugs evolved from digitalis, which was introduced in the 18th century as one of the first effective remedies for congestive heart failure, known at the time as “dropsy.”)
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…drugs such as digoxin and digitoxin may be prescribed to strengthen heart contractions. . (These latter drugs evolved from digitalis, which was introduced in the 18th century as one of the first effective remedies for congestive heart failure, known at the time as “dropsy.”)
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William Withering
Influence on medicine and science
…cardiac glycoside drugs digoxin and digitoxin.
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…cardiac glycoside drugs digoxin and digitoxin.
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