digoxin

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digoxin

drug

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July 23, 2026

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Digoxin is a drug derived from the foxglove plant (Digitalis lanata). It is a cardiac glycoside used to treat heart conditions, primarily congestive heart failure and to regulate the heart rate in cases of atrial fibrillation or flutter. Digoxin strengthens the heart muscle's contractions, improving blood circulation. It was first prescribed by William Withering in the late 18th century. Careful monitoring is necessary during treatment to prevent adverse effects from the drug accumulating in the body.12

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steroid
Cardiac glycosides and aglycones
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 acetic acid are…
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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 acetic acid are…
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cardiovascular drug
Contractions
…most often used therapeutically are digoxin and digitoxin.
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…most often used therapeutically are digoxin and digitoxin.
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therapeutics
The cardiovascular system
Digoxin, the most commonly used form of this substance, can be given orally or intravenously. Digitalis has a relatively narrow therapeutic range: too much is toxic and can cause cardiac arrhythmias. Because toxicity is increased if the patient’s serum potassium is low, close attention is…
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Digoxin, the most commonly used form of this substance, can be given orally or intravenously. Digitalis has a relatively narrow therapeutic range: too much is toxic and can cause cardiac arrhythmias. Because toxicity is increased if the patient’s serum potassium is low, close attention is…
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heart failure
Treatment
…edema, while 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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…edema, while 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
…of the cardiac glycoside drugs digoxin and digitoxin.
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…of the cardiac glycoside drugs digoxin and digitoxin.
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