Digitoxin
Digitoxin is a cardiac glycoside structurally similar to digoxin. It is derived from Digitalis purpurea and works by inhibiting the Na+/K+-ATPase pump, increasing cardiac contractility and slowing down the heart rate. It has a longer half-life than digoxin and is eliminated primarily by hepatic metabolism, making it sometimes preferred in patients with renal impairment.
Dosage by Body Weight
Dosages must be strictly individualized based on clinical response, serum drug concentrations, and patient tolerance. Usually initiated with a loading dose followed by daily maintenance therapy ranging from 0.05 mg to 0.2 mg.
- Body Weight
- Below 5 kg
- Dose
- Highly individualized pediatric dose
- Frequency
- As directed by specialist
- Tracking Notes
- Not routinely used in infants without specialist supervision and serum level monitoring.
- Body Weight
- 5-7 kg
- Dose
- Highly individualized pediatric dose
- Frequency
- As directed by specialist
- Tracking Notes
- Requires microgram-level precision dosing based on body surface area or weight.
- Body Weight
- 8-10 kg
- Dose
- Highly individualized pediatric dose
- Frequency
- As directed by specialist
- Tracking Notes
- Requires microgram-level precision dosing based on body surface area or weight.
- Body Weight
- 11-15 kg
- Dose
- Highly individualized pediatric dose
- Frequency
- As directed by specialist
- Tracking Notes
- Requires microgram-level precision dosing based on body surface area or weight.
- Body Weight
- 16-20 kg
- Dose
- Highly individualized pediatric dose
- Frequency
- As directed by specialist
- Tracking Notes
- Requires microgram-level precision dosing based on body surface area or weight.
| Body Weight | Dose | Frequency | Tracking Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Below 5 kg | Highly individualized pediatric dose | As directed by specialist | Not routinely used in infants without specialist supervision and serum level monitoring. |
| 5-7 kg | Highly individualized pediatric dose | As directed by specialist | Requires microgram-level precision dosing based on body surface area or weight. |
| 8-10 kg | Highly individualized pediatric dose | As directed by specialist | Requires microgram-level precision dosing based on body surface area or weight. |
| 11-15 kg | Highly individualized pediatric dose | As directed by specialist | Requires microgram-level precision dosing based on body surface area or weight. |
| 16-20 kg | Highly individualized pediatric dose | As directed by specialist | Requires microgram-level precision dosing based on body surface area or weight. |
Formulation
Purpose
Used for the treatment of congestive heart failure and to control ventricular rate in patients with atrial fibrillation or atrial flutter.
Generic Name
DigitoxinBranded Drug Names
Digitoxin is listed as a generic drug name. Common branded medicines that may contain the same active ingredient include:
Scheduled Drug
Yes. This medicine should be supplied or used only according to applicable prescription and regulatory requirements.