Open AccessProlonged digitoxin half-life in very elderly patients
Author(s) -
Thomas Bøhmer,
Arne Røseth
Publication year - 1998
Publication title -
age and ageing
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.014
H-Index - 143
eISSN - 1468-2834
pISSN - 0002-0729
DOI - 10.1093/ageing/27.2.222
Subject(s) - digitoxin , medicine , intensive care medicine , gerontology , heart failure , digoxin
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.
Accelerating Research
Robert Robinson Avenue,
Oxford Science Park, Oxford
OX4 4GP, United Kingdom
Address
John Eccles HouseRobert Robinson Avenue,
Oxford Science Park, Oxford
OX4 4GP, United Kingdom