Vanessa Bara discusses the risk factors, antidotal therapy, and management of digoxin toxicity

Digoxin is a digitalis glycoside extracted from the leaves of the plant Digitalis lanata, more commonly known as Grecian foxglove. The digitalis glyco-sides are present in many plants including Digitalis purpura (foxglove), Nerium oleander (oleander) and Convallaria majalis (lily-of-the-valley). They are also found in some toads, such as Bufo bufo-bufo (European toad). Digitalis glyco-sides are believed to have been used for therapeutic benefit in the first century AD. More recently, detailed descriptions of the therapeutic use of foxglove from 200 years ago include recognition of the toxicity associated with its use.