Half-life plasma following repetitive application of beta-acetyl digoxin in man

The aim of this study was to determine the half-life of beta-acetyl digoxin in plasma after cessation of its continous oral application. 18 healthy male volunteers received 0.4 mg p.o. of beta-acetyl digoxin daily for a period of 14 days. Plasma glycoside concentrations were measured up to 108 hours after the last application utilizing a 86Rb-erythrocyte assay. Mean plasma digoxin concentration 12 hours after the alst dose was -x=1.05 ng/ml, sx=0.301. Mean half-life in plasma was 55.8 hours (sx=21.7). This corresponds to a mean daily elimination rate of abour 25.8%. These results are in good agreement with the 20% loss of effect on the heart as reported in the literature.