Digoxin

Digoxin also known as digitalis is a purified cardiac glycoside extracted from the foxglove plant, Digitalis lanata.[1] Its corresponding aglycone is digoxigenin, and its acetyl derivative is acetyldigoxin. Digoxin is widely used in the treatment of various heart conditions, namely atrial fibrillation, atrial flutter and sometimes heart failure that cannot be controlled by other medication. The main pharmacological effects of Digoxin are on the heart. Extra cardiac effects are responsible for many of the adverse effects (see below). It has mechanical effects as it increases myocardial contractility; however, the duration of the contractile response is just slightly increased. Overall, the heart rate is decreased, while blood pressure increases as the stroke volume is increased, leading to increased tissue perfusion. Myocardial efficiency improves due to improved hemodynamic, and the ventricular function curve is improved.