Equivalent Bioavailability From Digoxin Elixir and Rapid-Dissolution Tablets

Eight healthy men each received five different oral digoxin (Lanoxin) preparations in single-dose multicrossover studies. Preparations used were digoxin elixir, two tablets with rapid in vitro dissolution, and two slow-dissolution tablets. Bioavailability was determined from area under the eighthour serum concentration curve and six-day cumulative urinary excretion of digoxin. There was no significant difference in bioavailability among elixir and rapid-dissolution tablets. Slow-dissolution tablets were less bioavailable than the other three preparations. Rapid-dissolution tablets and liquid preparations of digoxin can be used interchangeably in most clinical situations. (JAMA229:1774-1776, 1974)