Possible mechanism of digoxin-induced convulsions.
Intraventricular (IVT) administration of digoxin (7.5 micrograms) induced 'popcorn-type' convulsions in rats. Though the convulsions looked similar to morphine-induced seizures, naloxone failed to antagonize these effects. Other anticonvulsants like phenobarbitone, ethosuximide, or GABAergic substances like piracetam and semicarbazide also had no protective effect against digoxin-induced convulsions. While calcium chloride potentiated these effects of digoxin, phenytoin, magnesium chloride, and potassium chloride treatment showed blocking actions. These observations suggest the involvement of Na/K-ATPase system in digoxin-induced convulsions. Clonidine and diazepam also provided protection against digoxin-induced convulsions through an unknown mechanism.
D000818:Animals; D002122:Calcium Chloride / Q000494:pharmacology; D003000:Clonidine / Q000494:pharmacology; D003975:Diazepam / Q000494:pharmacology; D004077:Digoxin / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005260:Female; D008274:Magnesium / Q000494:pharmacology; D015636:Magnesium Chloride; D008297:Male; D010672:Phenytoin / Q000494:pharmacology; D010889:Piracetam / Q000494:pharmacology; D011189:Potassium Chloride / Q000494:pharmacology; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D012640:Seizures / Q000139:chemically induced*; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid / Q000502:physiology
D015636:Magnesium Chloride; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid; D010672:Phenytoin; D011189:Potassium Chloride; D004077:Digoxin; D008274:Magnesium; D002122:Calcium Chloride; D003000:Clonidine; D003975:Diazepam; D010889:Piracetam