Definition

1. Noun:
   • A powerful cardiac stimulant obtained from foxglove: A "digitalis glycoside" is a type of medicinal compound, specifically a glycoside, that is extracted from plants of the genus Digitalis, commonly known as foxglove. These compounds are used in medicine to stimulate and strengthen the contraction of the heart muscle.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:
  • Digoxin is a well-known digitalis glycoside used to treat heart failure.
  • The physician adjusted the dosage of the digitalis glycoside to manage the patient's arrhythmia.

Advanced Usage

• Clinical Context: In medical literature, "digitalis glycoside" is often discussed in the context of its therapeutic range, toxicity, and pharmacokinetics.
  • Monitoring serum levels is crucial when a patient is on a digitalis glycoside due to its narrow therapeutic index.

Variants and Related Words

• Digitalis (n): The plant genus from which these glycosides are derived; also used as a general term for the drug prepared from these plants.
  • Digitalis has been used in herbal medicine for centuries.
• Cardiac glycoside (n): A broader class of compounds that includes digitalis glycosides, all acting on the heart.
  • Ouabain is another example of a cardiac glycoside.

Synonyms

• Cardiotonic glycoside: A synonym emphasizing the compound's effect of increasing the strength of heart contractions.
• Foxglove glycoside: A less technical synonym referencing the source plant.

Related Phrases

• Digitalis therapy: The medical treatment involving the use of digitalis glycosides.
  • The patient was started on digitalis therapy to improve cardiac output.
• Digitalis toxicity: A condition caused by excessive levels of digitalis glycosides in the body.
  • Symptoms of digitalis toxicity include nausea, vomiting, and visual disturbances.

Noun

1. a powerful cardiac stimulant obtained from foxglove