Adenosine

Pronunciation: a-DEN-oh-seen
Generic Name: Adenosine
Brand Name: Adenocard

Adenosine is used for:

Treating supraventricular tachycardia, a certain type of irregular heartbeat. It may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor.

Adenosine is an antiarrhythmic. It works by slowing the electrical conduction in the heart, slowing heart rate, or normalizing heart rhythm.

Do NOT use Adenosine if:

• you are allergic to any ingredient in Adenosine


• you have second- or third-degree heart block and do not have an artificial pacemaker


• you have sinus node disease (eg, sick sinus syndrome) and do not have an artificial pacemaker


• you have certain breathing problems (eg, asthma)

Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.

Before using Adenosine:

Some medical conditions may interact with Adenosine. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:

• if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding


• if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement


• if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances


• if you have lung or breathing problems (eg, emphysema, bronchitis)

Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Adenosine. Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:

• Digoxin or verapamil because the risk of severe and sometimes fatal irregular heartbeat may be increased


• Carbamazepine or dipyridamole because they may increase the risk of Adenosine's side effects


• Methylxanthines (eg, caffeine, theophylline) because they may decrease Adenosine's effectiveness

This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Adenosine may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.

How to use Adenosine:

Use Adenosine as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.

• Adenosine is usually given as an injection at your doctor's office, hospital, or clinic. If you will be using Adenosine at home, a health care provider will teach you how to use it. Be sure you understand how to use Adenosine. Follow the procedures you are taught when you use a dose. Contact your health care provider if you have any questions.


• Do not use Adenosine if it contains particles, is cloudy or discolored, or if the vial is cracked or damaged.


• Keep this product, as well as syringes and needles, out of the reach of children and pets. Do not reuse needles, syringes, or other materials. Ask your health care provider how to dispose of these materials after use. Follow all local rules for disposal.


• If you miss a dose of Adenosine, contact your doctor immediately.

Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Adenosine.

Important safety information:

• Adenosine may cause dizziness or lightheadedness. These effects may be worse if you take it with alcohol or certain medicines. Use Adenosine with caution. Do not drive or perform other possibly unsafe tasks until you know how you react to it.


• Avoid large amounts of food or drink that have caffeine (eg, coffee, tea, cocoa, cola, chocolate).


• Contact your doctor immediately if you experience a return of an unusually fast heartbeat or chest pain.


• Lab tests, including electrocardiogram (ECG), may be performed while you use Adenosine. These tests may be used to monitor your condition or check for side effects. Be sure to keep all doctor and lab appointments.


• Use Adenosine with caution in the ELDERLY; they may be more sensitive to its effects.


• PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: If you plan on becoming pregnant, contact your doctor. You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of using Adenosine while you are pregnant. If you are or will be breast-feeding while you use Adenosine, check with your doctor. Discuss any possible risks to your baby.

Possible side effects of Adenosine:

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:

Chest pressure; dizziness; flushing of the face; headache; lightheadedness; nausea; tingling in the arms.

Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur:

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); chest pain; fast, slow, or irregular heartbeat; seizure; shortness of breath or wheezing.

This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your health care provider. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. To report side effects to the appropriate agency, please read the Guide to Reporting Problems to FDA.

See also: Adenosine side effects (in more detail)

If OVERDOSE is suspected:

Contact 1-800-222-1222 (the American Association of Poison Control Centers), your local poison control center, or emergency room immediately.

Proper storage of Adenosine:

Adenosine is usually handled and stored by a health care provider. If you are using Adenosine at home, store Adenosine as directed by your pharmacist or health care provider. Keep Adenosine out of the reach of children and away from pets.

General information:

• If you have any questions about Adenosine, please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.


• Adenosine is to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people.


• If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor.


• Check with your pharmacist about how to dispose of unused medicine.

This information is a summary only. It does not contain all information about Adenosine. If you have questions about the medicine you are taking or would like more information, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.

Issue Date: February 1, 2012

Database Edition 12.1.1.002

Copyright © 2012 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc.

More Adenosine resources

• Adenosine Side Effects (in more detail)
• Adenosine Use in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
• Adenosine Drug Interactions
• Adenosine Support Group
• 3 Reviews for Adenosine - Add your own review/rating

• Adenosine Prescribing Information (FDA)


• Adenosine Professional Patient Advice (Wolters Kluwer)


• Adenosine Monograph (AHFS DI)


• Adenocard Prescribing Information (FDA)


• Adenoscan


• Adenoscan Prescribing Information (FDA)

Compare Adenosine with other medications

• Supraventricular Tachycardia
• Wolff-Parkinson-White Syndrome