The correlation between arterial blood pH and digoxin plasma levels was studied after digoxin (Eudigox) administration a) in a single p.o. dose, b) in a steady state p.o. regimen, or c) i.v. The clinical trial was carried out on 26 male hospitalized patients selected and divided into groups according to their arterial blood pH values, which ranged between 7.20 and 7.53. Arterial blood pH proved to be directly correlated with digoxin plasma levels and with the corresponding AUC and inversely with the total plasma clearance of the drug. The data may explain the strongly reduced activity shown by digoxin in patients suffering from respiratory acidosis in clinical practice.
Authors: Giuseppe Catenazzo, E Camisasca, P Ghirardi, A Marzo
Publish Year: 1985
