Prolonged digitoxin half-life in very elderly patients.
The digitoxin half-life in elderly patients in the eight and ninth decade was more prolonged (mean +/- SD: 25 +/- 9 days) than in younger people (6.7 +/- 1.7). These elderly patients accumulated digitoxin even on a dose of 0.05 mg/ day. The symptoms of digitoxin intoxication disappeared on discontinuation of medication. When digitoxin is used in the treatment for heart failure in the very elderly patients, one should be aware of the possibility of digitoxin intoxication, even on a low dose.
Bohmer
T
T
Department of Medicine, Aker University Hospital, 0514 Oslo, Norway.
Røseth
A
A
D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging / Q000378:metabolism*; D002316:Cardiotonic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D004074:Digitoxin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans
D002316:Cardiotonic Agents; D004074:Digitoxin