DIGOXIN
Brand Name:Lanoxin,Digitek
Digoxin is the drug that is used frequently to patients suffering from Congestive Heart Failure.
Digitalis Lanata or purpura is a foxglove plant that gives many glycosides out of which digoxin is the drug more commonly used for CHF.
Nowadays this drug is replaced by many second and third-generation drugs because of its serious side effects.
Digoxin increases the contractility of the heart muscles by Na+/Ca++ ion exchanges.
Digoxin increases the contractility of the heart muscles by Na+/Ca++ ion exchanges.
Digoxin toxicity can be easily studied through ECG. Its toxicity on the heart would be reflected in ECG.
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| SEE THE ST-SEGMENT DEPRESSION |
See in the above figure the ST-segment depression which is the main effect of digoxin. Digoxin causes calcium to build up in the myocytes which cause a slow down of the heart rate (chronotropic) but increases the strength of the contraction (inotropic). The toxic dose of the digoxin leads to an ischemic effect (angina) and that is reflected in ECG as the ST-segment depression.
Digoxin may give the wrong impression in ECG taken in a person with angina on exercise. It gives a normal ST impression instead of depression.
Digoxin Toxicity:-
1.Fatigue, tiredness, and malaise
2.Visual disturbances
3.Nausea and Vomiting
4.Digestive problems
5.Abdominal Pain
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