Use of Cholestyramine Resin in Digitoxin Toxicity

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Abstract
DIGITOXIN has a long half-life and is associated with a substantial incidence of toxicity.1,2It is partially excreted in the bile and later reabsorbed, contributing to its long half-life.1,2A nonabsorbable agent that binds digitoxin in the gut should help speed its disappearance from the serum. Cholestyramine resin, an ion exchange resin used for some hyperlipoproteinemias, appears to be such an agent. Several reports have described such a digitoxin-binding effect in animals.3,4This property, however, has received scant study in the digitoxin-intoxicated patient.4-7Recently, we encountered a patient with clinical, laboratory, and ECG evidence of digitoxin toxicity. Digitoxin elimination was studied before, during, and after administration of cholestyramine resin. The resin resulted in an accelerated elimination of digitoxin and would appear to be a valuable adjunct in therapy of patients with digitoxin toxicity. Report of a Case A 72-year-old woman was admitted to the emergency room

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