Metabolic effects of digitalis

In a study of two representative population samples of 70-year-olds, one of which was followed up at 75 years of age, digitalis treatment was associated with oestrogen-like metabolic effects, indicated by changes in the composition of the plasma phospholipid fraction. Digitalis treatment, at least at these ages, is related to metabolic effects even in patients lacking more obvious clinical signs such as gynaecomastia. The results suggest that digitalis treatment may have other oestrogenic effects, e.g. on the water and sodium balance, counteracting the cardiotropic effects of this drug.