Kinetics of digitoxin and the bis- and monodigitoxosides of digitoxigenin in renal insufficiency.

The kinetics of digitoxin and two of its major metabolites, the bis- and monodigitoxosides of digitoxigenin, were determined in six subjects with renal insufficiency and compared to those in six age- and sex-matched normal control subjects. No significant differences between the two groups were found in elimination t 1/2, total body clearance, or volume of distribution. Average renal clearances of all three drugs were reduced in subjects with renal failure, but the differences were significant only in the case of digitoxin. The bis-digitoxoside of digitoxigenin has kinetic properties that offer clinical advantages.