Learn about the drug Ouabain

Ouabain is an antiarrhythmic drug of plant origin. The drug is used in patients with heart failure, arrhythmia. To learn more about Ouabain and its uses, please refer to the article below.

Ouabain is a cardiac glycoside extracted from the seeds of the plant Strophanthus gratus, family Apocynaceae. Ouabain has similar effects to Digoxin in the treatment of heart failure, but this effect has been found to appear much earlier than Digoxin, so it is used in some cases of acute heart failure.
Ouabain inhibits the Na-K-ATPase membrane pump, leading to an increase in intracellular (inside cell) sodium and calcium concentrations. Increased intracellular calcium levels promote activation of contractile proteins (eg, actin, myosin) which in turn induce muscle contraction. Ouabain also affects the electrical activity of the heart, reducing the automaticity at the sinus node, thereby causing a decrease in heart rate.
Uses of Ouabain include:
Enhance myocardial contractility, reduce circulatory burden on the heart. Decreased heart rate: Due to direct effects such as sympathomimetic inhibition, decreased automaticity at the sinus node; indirect effect due to stimulation of the X cord. Decreased atrioventricular conduction. The diuretic effect is due to inhibition of the membrane ATPase pump of the renal tubule cells, thereby reducing the reabsorption of Na+ and water. Increase smooth muscle contractility: Especially on digestive smooth muscle, trachea at high dose or called toxic dose.

Ouabain is used in the following cases:
Heart failure: Congestive heart failure, heart failure due to damage to the heart valves, decreased cardiac output. Tachyarrhythmia, supraventricular tachycardia, atrial tachycardia. Contraindications of Ouabain:
In case the patient is allergic or sensitive to the components of the drug. Endocarditis, myocardial infarction. Caution should be exercised when using Ouabain in the following cases:
Drugs for injection, the combination of other drugs in the same syringe should be avoided. Reduce dose in case of patient with severe renal and respiratory failure causing hypoxemia. Cases of increased calcium in the blood, hypokalemia

When taking the drug Ouabain can cause some side effects including:
Common: Causes nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, bowel movements, epigastric pain, headache, fatigue, dizziness,... Allergic reactions: Rarely, when it occurs, it causes some symptoms such as difficulty breathing, rash, swelling of the face, abdominal cramps,... Handling when experiencing side effects: Stop taking the drug in case of cause mild side effects. In case of serious side effects such as allergic reactions, emergency treatment with anti-allergic drugs, adrenaline, oxygen support,...

Some notes when taking the drug:
Before taking the drug, it is necessary to tell the doctor about the history of allergies, especially to the ingredients in the drug, the accompanying diseases, the drugs being used to avoid these effects. undesirable to happen. This is a drug that is administered intravenously, should be used under the guidance of medical personnel, both in terms of dosage and administration, the drug is administered by slow intravenous injection. For pregnant women: There are no studies on use in pregnant women, so it should be avoided in this population. Lactation: There have been no studies on the effects of the drug on nursing infants when used in lactating women, so its use should be avoided in this population. Drug interactions can occur when this drug is taken with other drugs. Some drugs can cause drug interactions including anticholinergic drugs, antibiotics, ... Medicines can cause some side effects that affect the ability to use machines or vehicles. Care should be taken when using in these cases. Above is some information you need to know about Ouabain medicine, which is used under a doctor's prescription. Do not self-medicate with this medication unless prescribed.