Drug Notes

Adenosine (By injection)

Adenosine (a-DEN-oh-seen)

Treats arrhythmias (uneven heartbeat). Also used during a heart stress test.

Brand Name(s):

Adenocard, Adenoscan, Adenosine Novaplus

When This Medicine Should Not Be Used:

How to Use This Medicine:

Injectable

• Your doctor will prescribe your exact dose. This medicine is given as a shot into a vein.
• A nurse or other health provider will give you this medicine.

Drugs and Foods to Avoid:

Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.

• Some foods and medicines can affect how adenosine works. Tell your doctor if you are using aminophylline, carbamazepine, digoxin, dipyridamole, theophylline, verapamil, or blood pressure medicines.
• Do not eat or drink anything that contains caffeine before you receive this medicine. This includes medicines, foods, and drinks with caffeine, such as coffee, tea, and cola drinks.

Warnings While Using This Medicine:

• Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you have breathing problems or lung disease, heart or blood vessel disease, heart valve disease, seizures, or unstable angina.
• This medicine may cause the following problems:
  • Serious risk of heart attack or stroke
  • High or low blood pressure
  • Seizures

Possible Side Effects While Using This Medicine:

Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:

• Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing
• Chest pain that may spread to your arms, jaw, back, or neck, trouble breathing, nausea, unusual sweating
• Fast, slow, or uneven heartbeat
• Lightheadedness, dizziness, or fainting
• Numbness of weakness on one side of your body, sudden or severe headache, problems with vision, speech, or walking
• Throat, neck, or jaw discomfort, pain, or tightness

If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:

• Headache
• Redness, pain, or swelling where the needle is placed
• Upset stomach
• Warmth or redness in your face, neck, arms, or upper chest

If you notice other side effects that you think are caused by this medicine, tell your doctor

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088

Last Updated: 1/27/2017