Pharmacologic Substance
digoxin Audio
dig·ox·in [ dij-ok-sin ]
Brand Names:
Digitek; Digox; Lanoxin
Effect:
Conduction System Depolarization; Negative Chronotropy; Nodal Depolarization; Positive Inotropy
May Prevent:
Heart Failure
May Treat:
Anxiety Disorders; Atrial Fibrillation; Atrial Flutter; Cardiac Output, Low; Heart Failure; Shock, Cardiogenic; Tachycardia, Supraventricular
More Information:
ChemID; DrugBank; DailyMed; PDR
Definitions related to digoxin:
  • A cardiac glycoside. Digoxin inhibits the sodium potassium adenosine triphosphatase (ATPase) pump, thereby increasing intracellular calcium and enhancing cardiac contractility. This agent also acts directly on the atrioventricular node to suppress conduction, thereby slowing conduction velocity. Apparently due to its effects on intracellular calcium concentrations, digoxin induces apoptosis of tumor cells via a pathway involving mitochondrial cytochrome c and caspases 8 and 3. (NCI04)
    NCI
    U.S. National Cancer Institute, 2021
  • A cardiotonic glycoside obtained mainly from Digitalis lanata; it consists of three sugars and the aglycone DIGOXIGENIN. Digoxin has positive inotropic and negative chronotropic activity. It is used to control ventricular rate in ATRIAL FIBRILLATION and in the management of congestive heart failure with atrial fibrillation. Its use in congestive heart failure and sinus rhythm is less certain. The margin between toxic and therapeutic doses is small. (From Martindale, The Extra Pharmacopoeia, 30th ed, p666)
    NLM Medical Subject Headings
    U.S. National Library of Medicine, 2025
  • A drug used to treat irregular heartbeat and some types of heart failure. It is also being studied in the treatment of some types of cancer. Digoxin helps the heart work normally by controlling the amount of calcium that goes into the heart muscle. It also may kill cancer cells and make them more sensitive to anticancer drugs. It is a type of cardiac glycoside.
    NCI Dictionary of Cancer Terms
    U.S. National Cancer Institute, 2021
  • Cardiotonic glycoside obtained mainly from Digitalis lanata; it consists of three sugars and the aglycone digoxigenin; digoxin has positive inotropic and negative chronotropic activity; used to control ventricular rate in atrial fibrillation and in the management of congestive heart failure with atrial fibrillation; its use in congestive heart failure and sinus rhythm is less certain; the margin between toxic and therapeutic doses is small.
    CRISP Thesaurus
    National Institutes of Health, 2006
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