Digoxin

Digoxin comes from the foxgloves plant known as Digitalis purpurea. It is a cardiotonic glycoside and belongs to the digitalis class. The chemical formula of digoxin is C41 H64 O14. Cardiac glycosides, including digitalis and digoxin, have long-standing use in clinical practice. This drug received approval from the FDA in 1954 and is used to treat various heart problems such as atrial flutter, atrial fibrillation, heart failure with its associated symptoms, and to induce fetal demise prior to an abortion. Superior therapies with milder adverse effects and better safety profiles have now replaced it, such as beta-blockers and calcium-channel blockers. In current practice, it is reserved as a backup drug when first-line agents are ineffective. Its optimal use is in the treatment of mild to moderate heart failure in adult patients and to increase myocardial contraction.