Acetyldigitoxin

A cardiac glycoside used in the treatment of heart conditions

Acetyldigitoxin
INN
Drug class
Routes of administration
Pregnancy category
Bioavailability
Metabolism
Elimination half-life
Excretion
Legal status
CAS Number
PubChem
DrugBank
ChemSpider
KEGG

Acetyldigitoxin is a cardiac glycoside used in the treatment of certain heart conditions, particularly heart failure and atrial fibrillation. It is derived from the Digitalis plant, commonly known as foxglove, and is chemically related to other cardiac glycosides such as digoxin and digitoxin.

Pharmacology

Acetyldigitoxin works by inhibiting the sodium-potassium ATPase pump in cardiac cells. This inhibition leads to an increase in intracellular sodium concentration, which in turn affects the sodium-calcium exchanger and results in increased intracellular calcium levels. The elevated calcium concentration enhances the force of myocardial contraction, a mechanism known as positive inotropy.

Clinical Use

Acetyldigitoxin is primarily used in the management of chronic heart failure and certain types of arrhythmias, such as atrial fibrillation and atrial flutter. It helps to improve cardiac output and control the ventricular rate in patients with atrial fibrillation.

Administration and Dosage

The drug is administered orally, and the dosage must be carefully adjusted based on the patient's response and renal function. Due to its narrow therapeutic index, monitoring of drug levels and patient symptoms is essential to avoid toxicity.

Side Effects

Common side effects of acetyldigitoxin include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and fatigue. More serious adverse effects can include arrhythmias, visual disturbances, and confusion.

Toxicity

Acetyldigitoxin toxicity can occur due to its narrow therapeutic window. Symptoms of toxicity include gastrointestinal disturbances, neurological symptoms, and cardiac arrhythmias. Treatment involves discontinuation of the drug and administration of digoxin-specific antibody fragments if necessary.

Related pages

• Cardiac glycoside
• Digitalis
• Digoxin
• Heart failure

Gallery

• 
  Chemical structure of Acetyldigitoxin