[Bioavailability of beta-acetyldigoxin and digoxin (author's transl)].

Five beta-acetyldigoxin and two digoxin preparations were given orally to eleven healthy volunteers. In a single dose crossover study bioavailability of the oral preparations was compared to an intravenous injection of digoxin as a standard for complete bioavailability. A mean bioavailability of 82% (sx = 1.8) was found for beta-acetyldigoxin tablets (Novodigal¿), PETN/beta-acetyldigoxin tablets (Nitro-Novodigal¿), oxyfedrin/beta-acetyldigoxin tablets (ildamen¿-Novodigal¿) and beta-acetyldigoxin liquid. Analysis of variance shows no differences in absorption for the five tested beta-acetyldigoxin preparations. Beta-Acetyldigoxin administered orally in an alcoholic solution is nearly completely absorbed (94%) whereas a corresponding digoxin solution is available to a significantly lesser content (79.2%). Comparable differences in absorption were found for beta-acetyldigoxin tablets (81%) and digoxin tablets (Digacin¿) (63.5%).