[On the possible meproscillarin accumulation in patients with impaired renal function (author's transl)]

26 patients with impaired renal function and 7 healthy subjects received an oral dose of 0.5 mg 14-Hydroxy-3-beta-[(4-O-methyl-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl)oxy]-14beta-bufa-4,20,22-trienolide (meproscillarin, Clift) per day for 2 weeks. Plasma levels of meproscillarin were measured during and after this period by means of the 86Rb-erythrocyte method. No statistically significant differences were found between the 2 groups. The results are consistent with extrarenal elimination of the substance. Contrary to digoxin, e.g., dose reduction is unnecessary in chronic renal failure. Mild gastrointestinal symtpoms were the only side effects seen in 6 patients.