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Digoxin

(Science: chemical) 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.

Pharmacological action: anti-arrhythmia agents, cardiotonic agent, enzyme inhibitors.

chemical name: Card-20(22)-enolide, 3-((O-2,6-dideoxy-beta-D-ribo-hexopyranosyl-(1-4)-O-2,6-dideoxy-beta-D-ribo-hexopyranosyl-(1-4)-2,6-dideoxy-beta-D-ribo-hexopyranosyl)oxy)-12,14-dihydroxy-, (3beta,5beta,12beta)-