noun
- Plural of digitoxin; cardiac glycosides extracted from digitalis plants, formerly used as heart medications to increase heart contractility and slow heart rate.
Usage: medical/pharmaceutical term; largely historical; replaced by safer alternatives in modern practice
Examples
- Digitoxins were among the first drugs used to treat heart failure in the 20th century.
- The pharmacist explained that digitoxins have a narrow therapeutic window, requiring careful dosing.
- Digitoxins are derived from the foxglove plant and work by strengthening heart contractions.
- Modern cardiologists rarely prescribe digitoxins due to the availability of safer medications.
- The patient's digitoxins levels were monitored regularly to prevent toxicity.