Gitoxin is a cardiac glycoside from the Woolly Foxglove (Digitalis lanata), may be studied for its potential cardiac applications similar to those of digoxin. Gitoxin acts as in inhibitor of the sodium and potassium ion channels, interfering with ATPase activity and used in cancer treatment as a growth inhibitor. Gitoxin is a starting material for the synthesis of gitoxin derivatives with activity as cardiac glycosides. Although the cardiotonic activity of gitoxin is known for almost half a century, this digitalis glycoside has never been used in therapy, due to its apparent lack of resorption after administration by oral route.

Digoxin is a cardiac glycoside derived from the purple foxglove flower. In 1785, the English chemist, botanist, and physician Sir William Withering published his findings that Digitalis purpurea could be used to treat cardiac dropsy (congestive heart failure; CHF). Digoxin has been in use for many years, but was not approved by the FDA for treatment of heart failure (HF) until the late 1990s. Another FDA indication for digoxin is atrial fibrillation (AF). Digoxin also has numerous off-label uses, such as in fetal tachycardia, supra-ventricular tachycardia, cor pulmonale, and pulmonary hypertension. Digitoxin inhibits the Na-K-ATPase membrane pump, resulting in an increase in intracellular sodium and calcium concentrations. Increased intracellular concentrations of calcium may promote activation of contractile proteins (e.g., actin, myosin). Digoxin also has Para sympathomimetic properties. By increasing vagal tone in the sinoatrial and atrioventricular (AV) nodes, it slows the heart rate and AV nodal conduction.

Lanatoside C (or isolanid) is a cardiac glycoside, a type of drug that can be used in the treatment of heart disease. Digitalis lanata is a significant medicinal plant as a source of this compound. Lanatoside C is marketed in a number of countries and it’s also available in generic form. It can be transformed into digoxin by deglucolysation.

Beta-methyl digoxin (beta-methyl digoxin; Metildigoxin (INN, or medigoxin BAN, or methyldigoxin) is a methyl derivative (methyl group in position 4 of the digitoxose residue) of digoxin is a cardiac glycoside, a type of drug that can be used in the treatment of congestive heart failure and cardiac arrhythmia (irregular heartbeat). The substance is closely related to digoxin; it differs from the latter only by an O-methyl group on the terminal monosaccharide.

Beta-acetyldigoxin (under the brand name Novodigal), a beta-acetyl derivative of digoxin, acts as a prodrug. It is deacetylated in the cells of the intestinal mucosa and is present inside the body solely in the form of digoxin. β-acetyldigoxin has a higher bioavailability than digoxin. Beta-acetyldigoxin is a substrate of P-glycoprotein.