Abstract

Digitalis and its glycosides have qualitatively similar effects on the heart, but there are differences in absorption, rapidity of onset, and duration of effect. The principal preparations are: whole digitalis leaf (prepared digitalis BP), digoxin BP (Lanoxin - BW & Co) and digitoxin (Crystodigin - Lilly; Digitaline Nativelle - Wilcox Jozeau). For emergency rapid digitalization ouabain (strophanthin-G) and deslanoside (Cedilanid injection - Sandoz) are available. Inquiries received by the Medical Letter indicate a good deal of uncertainty among physicians in making a choice among these preparations.