[Dihydrogenated metabolites of digoxin: clinical importance and identification (author's transl)].

Several methods for the determination of dihydrometabolites of digoxin are described. Dihydrometabolites of digoxin are essentially inactive. They are the most important group of metabolites of digoxin. Seven (7) percent of a group of in-patients excreted more than 35% of these metabolites. The average was 13%, with respect to total extractable digoxin and metabolites in urine. In blood up to 40%, and in urine up to 52% dihydrogenated metabolites were found. The main metabolite was dihydrodigoxin, but the hydrolytic metabolites of digoxin exist also in reduced form. Neither the dose of digoxin, impaired renal function, nor an increased body content of digoxin seems to affect the rate of formation of these dihydrometabolites.