Legal status · Canada
Is Cardiac glycosides legal in Canada?
Written by Aaron CuhaReviewed Sep 2026
Direct answer
Yes. Cardiac glycosides is an approved medicine in Canada, classified as "Health Canada approved, prescription only". Approval covers its labeled indication and it is supplied on prescription, not over the counter. Products labeled "research use only" fall outside that approval and the label does not make human use lawful. On the evidence, 2 human studies are cited on its profile.
Cardiac glycosides in Canada at a glance
| Classification | Health Canada approved, prescription only |
|---|---|
| Note | Digoxin only, for cardiac indications. |
| Health Canada approval status | Approved by Health Canada for its labeled use |
| Human studies cited | 2 of 6 citations on the profile |
| Reviewed | Sep 2026 |
Classification and note come from the Cardiac glycosides profile, checked against Health Canada, Health Products and Food Branch (Health Canada) listings at the reviewed date.
What this means
- 01
Health Canada has approved Cardiac glycosides for at least one labeled indication, so a pharmaceutical-grade product exists in Canada and is dispensed on prescription.
- 02
Approval is indication-specific. Uses outside the label are a clinical decision for a prescriber, not something the approval itself authorizes.
- 03
Unlicensed online vials, including those labeled "research use only", are not the approved product and are not covered by the approval.
What Cardiac glycosides is
Two 2019 papers reported that cardiac glycosides kill senescent cells in culture and in mice. Digoxin separately has one of the largest outcome trials in cardiology, 6,800 patients, which measured heart failure and not senescence. These are two different bodies of evidence and they do not transfer to each other.
Cardiac glycosides inhibit the sodium-potassium ATPase pump. Two independent groups reported in 2019 that this makes them senolytic: senescent cells sit slightly depolarised with a higher internal hydrogen ion concentration, so pump inhibition tips them into apoptosis at concentrations that spare normal cells.
Mechanism: Established in human cells in culture and in mice: inhibition of the sodium-potassium ATPase depolarises the membrane and acidifies the cell. Senescent cells are already partially depolarised, which is the proposed basis of selectivity, and ouabain additionally induces the pro-apoptotic protein NOXA.
Regulatory history: Digoxin is an FDA-approved prescription drug for heart failure and atrial fibrillation; openFDA lists current prescription products plus several discontinued ones. No cardiac glycoside is approved anywhere for a senolytic or ageing indication. Ouabain is not marketed as a medicine in the United States.
How Health Canada treats this kind of product
Authorises drugs for sale through a Notice of Compliance and Drug Identification Number. A compound that is not authorised for sale cannot lawfully be sold for human use, and personal importation of prescription drugs is limited.
The classification above is the The Longevity Archive reading of Health Canada, Health Products and Food Branch listings for Cardiac glycosides at the reviewed date, not a legal opinion. Rules change, and importing, prescribing and possessing a compound can each be treated differently. Check the regulator directly before acting on anything here.
Cardiac glycosides in other countries
United States
ApprovedFDA-approved, prescription only
Is Cardiac glycosides legal in the United States?United Kingdom
ApprovedLicensed, prescription only (MHRA)
Is Cardiac glycosides legal in the United Kingdom?Australia
ApprovedTGA-registered, prescription only
Is Cardiac glycosides legal in Australia?Frequently asked questions
Is Cardiac glycosides legal in Canada?
Yes. Cardiac glycosides is an approved medicine in Canada, classified as "Health Canada approved, prescription only". Approval covers its labeled indication and it is supplied on prescription, not over the counter. Products labeled "research use only" fall outside that approval and the label does not make human use lawful. On the evidence, 2 human studies are cited on its profile. Note: Digoxin only, for cardiac indications.
Can I buy Cardiac glycosides in Canada?
Only with a prescription. Cardiac glycosides is classified as "Health Canada approved, prescription only" in Canada, so it is dispensed by pharmacies against a prescription for its approved indication. Buying it from unlicensed online sellers or as a "research chemical" is outside that system and carries no regulatory protection. Note: Digoxin only, for cardiac indications.
Is Cardiac glycosides Health Canada approved?
Yes, for its labeled indication. In Canada Cardiac glycosides is classified as "Health Canada approved, prescription only". For comparison, the US FDA status is: Digoxin is an FDA-approved prescription drug for heart failure and atrial fibrillation; openFDA lists current prescription products plus several discontinued ones. No cardiac glycoside is approved anywhere for a senolytic or ageing indication. Ouabain is not marketed as a medicine in the United States.. On the evidence, 2 human studies are cited on its profile.
Related compounds in Canada
Full research profile
Mechanism, cited studies, FDA status and the full legal summary for Cardiac glycosides live on its compound profile.
Cardiac glycosides profileThis page is general information about the regulatory status of Cardiac glycosides in Canada, current as of Sep 2026. It is not legal advice, and classifications change; check Health Canada, Health Products and Food Branch directly or consult a lawyer for a specific situation. Educational use only. This database summarizes published research. It is not medical advice and contains no dosing protocols or recommendations for personal use. The Longevity Archive has no vendor relationships and does not recommend where to buy anything.