Digitoxin
Digitoxin, a cardiac glycoside from Digitalis species, is used for treating certain heart conditions, such as atrial fibrillation and heart failure, by enhancing myocardial contractility and controlling heart rate, though its use requires careful monitoring due to its narrow therapeutic index.
Digitoxin Overview
Digitoxin works by inhibiting the sodium-potassium ATPase pump in heart cells, leading to an increase in intracellular sodium. This results in an increase in intracellular calcium concentrations, which enhances myocardial contractility. Its use in modern medicine has decreased in favor of digoxin, mainly due to digitoxin’s narrow therapeutic index and the longer duration of action, which require careful monitoring.
Digitoxin Key Features
– Natural Source: Extracted from Digitalis species plants.
– Function: Used to treat certain heart conditions by improving heart contractility and controlling heart rate.
– Pharmacokinetics: Characterized by a longer half-life and greater bioavailability compared to digoxin.
Digitoxin Applications
– Cardiac Arrhythmias: Effective in managing conditions like atrial fibrillation and atrial flutter.
– Heart Failure: Used in specific cases of heart failure to increase the force of heart muscle contractions.
Digitoxin Functions
– Enhancement of Myocardial Contractility: Increases the force of heart muscle contractions, improving cardiac output.
– Reduction of Heart Rate: Helps control heart rate in conditions where rapid heart rate is a concern.
– Regulation of Cardiac Rhythm: Contributes to the normalization of heart rhythm in patients with arrhythmias.
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