A cardioactive glycoside obtained from the leaves of Digitalis purpurea; it is more completely absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract than is digitalis. Largely eliminated by hepatic metabolism. SYN: crystalline digitalin.
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dig·i·tox·in .dij-ə-'täk-sən n a poisonous glycoside C41H64O13 that is the most active constituent of digitalis also a mixture of digitalis glycosides consisting chiefly of digitoxin
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n.
a drug that increases heart muscle contraction and is used in heart failure. It is slow-acting but the effects are prolonged. Digitoxin is administered by mouth; possible side-effects include nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, diarrhoea, abdominal pain, and abnormal heart activity. See also digitalization.
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dig·i·tox·in (dij″ĭ-tokґsin) [USP] a cardiac glycoside obtained from Digitalis purpurea, D. lanata, and other Digitalis species, containing 3 molecules of digitoxose linked to digitoxigenin; it has the same actions and uses as digitalis; administered orally, intramuscularly, or intravenously.Medical dictionary. 2011.