Diagnosis and Treatment of Digitalis Toxicity

The special problem posed by digitoxin and some of the other purified glycosides should not be interpreted as indicating a difference in basic action of this drug. All digitalis preparations have similar action, and all produce toxicity if given in adequate doses. Some preparations do pose special problems in toxicity. Digitoxin, for example, has the property of fastening itself onto blood proteins and circulates in the blood for long periods. Digitoxin and the leaf, both having a long period of dissipation, are frequent causes of intoxication. This property leads to difficulty when overdosage occurs, for the drug cannot be destroyed . . .