title: Digitalis and the autonomic nervous system.
abstract: Digitalis produces many of its effects in intact animals and human beings by modifying the properties of the autonomic nervous system. The parasympathetic limb of the autonomic nervous system is most sensitive to these effects of digitalis, and its properties are significantly altered with therapeutic concentrations of the drug. These actions are particularly important in mediating the electrophysiologic effects of digitalis. With toxic concentrations of digitalis, stimulation of sympathetic nerve activity may also occur. This latter action may be involved in the arrhythmogenic effects of digitalis. These effects of digitalis on the autonomic nervous system play a major role in determining the pharmacodynamic actions of the drug in patients. The effects of digitalis on the autonomic nervous system also provide a setting for important interactions with other drugs that modify the properties of the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems.
mesh_terms: D000109:Acetylcholine / Q000494:pharmacology; D000818:Animals; D000889:Anti-Arrhythmia Agents / Q000378:metabolism; D001145:Arrhythmias, Cardiac / Q000503:physiopathology; D001341:Autonomic Nervous System / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers / Q000378:metabolism; D004071:Digitalis Glycosides / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004347:Drug Interactions; D004525:Efferent Pathways / Q000187:drug effects; D004594:Electrophysiology; D006321:Heart / Q000502:physiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D009200:Myocardial Contraction / Q000187:drug effects; D009206:Myocardium / Q000166:cytology; D010275:Parasympathetic Nervous System / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D011311:Pressoreceptors / Q000187:drug effects; D011955:Receptors, Drug / Q000187:drug effects; D000254:Sodium-Potassium-Exchanging ATPase; D013564:Sympathetic Nervous System / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D013565:Sympatholytics / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D000889:Anti-Arrhythmia Agents; D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers; D004071:Digitalis Glycosides; D011955:Receptors, Drug; D013565:Sympatholytics; C028996:cardiac glycoside receptors; D000254:Sodium-Potassium-Exchanging ATPase; D000109:Acetylcholine