digitoxin

[dij-i-tok-sin]

noun

Pharmacology.

1. a white, crystalline, water-insoluble cardiac glycoside, C 41 H 64 O 13 , or a mixture of cardiac glycosides of which this is the chief constituent, obtained from digitalis and used in the treatment of congestive heart failure.

digitoxin

/ ˌdɪdʒɪˈtɒksɪn /

noun

1. a white toxic bitter-tasting glycoside, extracted from the leaves of the purple foxglove ( Digitalis purpurea ) and used in the treatment of heart failure and some abnormal heart rhythms. Formula: C 41 H 64 O 13

digitoxin

1. A highly active glycoside derived from digitalis and prescribed in the treatment of certain cardiac conditions. Chemical formula: C ₄₁ H ₆₄ O ₁₃ .

Word History and Origins

Origin of digitoxin¹

First recorded in 1880–85; digi(talis) + toxin

Word History and Origins

Origin of digitoxin¹

from _digi ( _talis ) + _toxin

Example Sentences

Foxglove - digitalis - is a source of digitoxin, a glycoside in the drug digitalis, which has been used as a heart stimulant since 1785.

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And in its action on the heart the digitonin dilates the coronary arteries, according to Macht, while the digitoxin acts on the heart muscle.

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The most powerful is digitoxin C34H54O11, an extremely poisonous and cumulative drug, insoluble in water.

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The tincture contains a fair proportion of both digitalin and digitoxin.

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