All iLive content is medically reviewed or fact checked to ensure as much factual accuracy as possible.
We have strict sourcing guidelines and only link to reputable media sites, academic research institutions and, whenever possible, medically peer reviewed studies. Note that the numbers in parentheses ([1], [2], etc.) are clickable links to these studies.
If you feel that any of our content is inaccurate, out-of-date, or otherwise questionable, please select it and press Ctrl + Enter.
Digitoxin in the serum
Medical expert of the article
Last reviewed: 04.07.2025
The concentration of digitoxin in serum when used in therapeutic doses is 14-26 ng/ml. The toxic concentration is more than 35 ng/ml.
The half-life of digitoxin in adults is 5-7 days.
Digitoxin is a cardiac glycoside that differs from digoxin in its duration of action, which is associated with better solubility in lipids. Digitoxin is almost completely absorbed in the gastrointestinal tract. In the blood serum, digitoxin binds to albumin. Its effect on cardiac muscle contractility is approximately the same as that of digoxin. The standard effective dose of the drug is approximately 50% of the toxic dose. This is a relatively high value, so the concentration of the drug in the blood of patients should be monitored. The rules for blood sampling and the symptoms of intoxication are the same as for digoxin.
[ 1 ], [ 2 ], [ 3 ], [ 4 ], [ 5 ], [ 6 ], [ 7 ], [ 8 ], [ 9 ]