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)