[Modification-possibility of the enterohepatic circulation of digitoxin in man]

Tritiated digitoxin (0.25 mg) was i.v. administered to a control group of 5 patients as well as to 5 patients with a T-tube quantitatively draining the bile fluid. During the initial 24 h after injection, 10% of the dose administered, on the second and third days 5 and 3,5%, respectively, were biliarily excreted. The amount biliarily excreted did not influence the course of the blood level as compared to the controls. Also charcoal given perorally in a sufficient amount (50 g) did not affect the blood level of radioactive digitoxin and/or its metabolites. As obtained from in vitro experiments the absorptive potency of cholestipole and cholestyramine for digitoxin and its metabolites in human bile fluid is similar to that of charcoal.