Beta-methyl digoxin: a better absorbable digoxin. 1989

G Das
Division of Cardiology, UND School of Medicine, Fargo 58102.

Since Megges and Repke [1961] showed that acetylation of the hydroxyl groups in the aglycone or the sugar side chain of the digitalis molecule results in a derivative with enhanced and more complete absorption from the gastrointestinal tract, several new compounds resulting from acetylation or methylation of digoxin molecule have been developed. Beta-methyl digoxin (beta-methyl digoxin) is a methyl derivative (methyl group in position 4 of the digitoxose residue) of digoxin. Enhanced and more complete gastrointestinal absorption of tritium labeled beta-methyl digoxin [Rennekamp et al. 1972] has been confirmed. Weiss et al. [1975], based on the serum levels following oral administration, calculated that to achieve comparable levels, digoxin dose would have to be increased by 1.55 times compared to that of beta-methyl digoxin. These and other studies supported an earlier notion that beta-methyl digoxin was a better and desirable cardiotropic agent than the digoxin. Comparison of cardiac effects using equivalent doses of the two compounds however, showed no difference [Das et al. 1977]. Following oral administration, the serum glycoside levels to beta-methyl digoxin indeed were significantly greater than those with digoxin. However, these differences in serum levels were not of sufficient magnitude to influence detectable cardiac inotropic effects, hence, the search for a better digoxin should continue.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D008520 Medigoxin A semisynthetic digitalis glycoside with the general properties of DIGOXIN but more rapid onset of action. Its cardiotonic action is prolonged by its demethylation to DIGOXIN in the liver. It has been used in the treatment of congestive heart failure (HEART FAILURE). Metildigoxin,beta-Methyldigoxin,4'''-O-Methyldigoxin,Bemecor,Lanirapid,Lanitop,Medixin,Methyldigoxin,4''' O Methyldigoxin,beta Methyldigoxin
D004077 Digoxin 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) Digacin,Digitek,Digoregen,Digoxina Boehringer,Digoxine Nativelle,Dilanacin,Hemigoxine Nativelle,Lanacordin,Lanicor,Lanoxicaps,Lanoxin,Lanoxin-PG,Lenoxin,Mapluxin,Boehringer, Digoxina,Lanoxin PG,Nativelle, Digoxine,Nativelle, Hemigoxine
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man

Related Publications

G Das
January 1976, The Journal of international medical research,
G Das
January 1991, Revista chilena de pediatria,
G Das
January 1976, Verhandlungen der Deutschen Gesellschaft fur Kreislaufforschung,
G Das
February 1979, International journal of clinical pharmacology and biopharmacy,
G Das
May 1975, Lijecnicki vjesnik,
G Das
September 1989, Anales espanoles de pediatria,
G Das
June 1972, Medizinische Klinik,
G Das
November 1978, Polski tygodnik lekarski (Warsaw, Poland : 1960),
Copied contents to your clipboard!