Is digoxin a drug of the past?

Cleve Clin J Med. 2006 Sep;73(9):821-4, 826, 829-32 passim. doi: 10.3949/ccjm.73.9.821.

Abstract

Digoxin has been the cornerstone of the treatment of heart failure for more than 2 centuries. Now that newer therapies have been introduced that reduce the mortality rate in heart failure and recent trials have failed to prove the same for digoxin, its use has significantly decreased. But a careful review of the multiple pharmacologic actions of digoxin and closer analysis of the results of recent trials suggest that digoxin may in fact continue to be an effective treatment for heart failure.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Atrial Fibrillation / drug therapy
  • Cardiotonic Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Digoxin / therapeutic use*
  • Heart Failure / drug therapy*
  • Humans

Substances

  • Cardiotonic Agents
  • Digoxin