Digitoxin

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Digitoxin
File:Digitoxin.png
Systematic (IUPAC) name
(3β,5β)-3-[(O-2,6-dideoxy-
β-D-ribo-hexapyranosyl-(1->4)-
2,6-dideoxy-β-D-ribo-hexopyranosyl)oxy]-
14-hydroxycard-20(22)-enolide
Pharmacokinetic data
Bioavailability 95% (Oral)
Metabolism Liver
Biological half-life 5~7 days
Identifiers
CAS Number 71-63-6
ATC code C01AA04 (WHO)
PubChem CID 11968425
Chemical data
Formula C41H64O13
Molar mass 764.939 g/mol[[Script error: No such module "String".]]
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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]

Toxicity

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


Use in fiction

Used as the murder weapon in Agatha Christie's Appointment with Death.

Used as murder weapon with crop duster in CSI, Season 9 Episode 19: "The Descent of Man".

Digoxin used as a poison in "Uneasy Lies the Crown" Columbo 1990[Season 9, Episode 5]

Used as murder weapon in "Affair of the Heart" McMillan and Wife 1977 [Season 6, Episode 5].

Used as murder weapon in Murder 101: college can be a murder.

References

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External links

da:Digitoxin

de:Digitoxin fr:Digitoxine ja:ジギトキシン pl:Digitoksyna pt:Digitoxina sr:Digitoksin th:ดิจิท็อกซิน

nl:Digitoxine
  1. Belz GG, Breithaupt-Grögler K, Osowski U (2001). "Treatment of congestive heart failure—current status of use of digitoxin". Eur. J. Clin. Invest. 31 (Suppl 2): 10–7. doi:10.1046/j.1365-2362.2001.0310s2010.x. PMID 11525233. 
  2. Kurowski V, Iven H, Djonlagic H (1992). "Treatment of a patient with severe digitoxin intoxication by Fab fragments of anti-digitalis antibodies". Intensive Care Med. 18 (7): 439–42. doi:10.1007/BF01694351. PMID 1469187.