Extraction of digoxin and its metabolites from urine and their separation by Sephadex LH-20 column chromatography

The efficiency with which serveral solvent systems extract digoxin and its metabolites from urine has been studied and column chromatography using Sephadex LH-20 has been used to separate digoxin and its metabolites. These procedures have been evaluated and used to study the excretion of 3H-digoxin-12alpha and its metabolites in urines collected serially in 7 patients and in bile in one. The percentage of the radioactivity excreted as metabolites in urine and bile was found to reach a peak within the first day and then to gradualy decline to minimal amounts in patients with advanced renal failure as well as those with good renal function. The maximum percentage measured as metabolites in 4 patients with the most advanced renal failure was 10%.