Adenocor (Adenosine)
Complete patient guide for uses, dosage, side effects, and safety information
Prescription RequiredQuick Facts
What Is Adenocor Used For?
Adenocor contains adenosine and is used to treat a serious heart condition where your heart beats too rapidly. It helps doctors understand how your heart is working and can be life-saving when used properly.
Primary Uses
Adenocor treats paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia (including Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome), a condition where the heart beats too rapidly. If left untreated, this condition can be life threatening. It’s also used as a diagnostic aid to help doctors understand how your heart is working.
How It Works
Adenocor works by slowing down the electrical impulses that control your heart rhythm. This allows your heart rhythm to return to normal. The effect only lasts for a couple of minutes.
Good to know: This medicine is not addictive and is only available with a doctor’s prescription.
How to Take Adenocor
Adenocor is only given in hospitals as an injection. You cannot take this medication at home – it must be administered by healthcare professionals under medical supervision.
Dosage Instructions
Adults receive one injection (3 mg) first. If your heart rate doesn’t slow down within 1 or 2 minutes, you may receive one more dose (6 mg) or two more doses (12 mg). Children: There is not enough evidence to recommend this medicine for children. The injection is given rapidly over a couple of seconds.
Pre-Treatment Instructions
Do not eat or drink anything containing caffeine (coffee, tea, chocolate, or cola) for at least 12 hours before receiving your injection.
Important: This medication is only given in hospitals under medical supervision. You cannot take it at home.
Available Tablet Strengths
Side Effects
Like all medications, this medicine can cause side effects. Most are mild and temporary, but some require medical attention.
Common Side Effects
These side effects occur relatively frequently and usually don’t require emergency care:
- facial flushing
- shortness of breath
- feeling of tightness across the chest
- nausea
- headache
- dizziness and lightheadedness
- discomfort in the throat, neck or jaw
- burning sensation
Seek immediate medical attention if you experience:
- irregular or slow heartbeat
- problems with breathing
- spasm of the artery in the heart which may lead to heart attack
- swelling of face, lips, mouth or throat causing difficulty swallowing or breathing
- rash, itching or hives on skin
Important Warnings
There are several important conditions and situations where Adenocor should not be used. Always inform your healthcare team about your complete medical history.
Who Should Not Take Adenocor
Do not receive Adenocor if you are allergic to it or any ingredients, have asthma or other lung disease, recently had a heart transplant, have other heart or heart rhythm problems, or have severe low blood pressure.
Medical Conditions to Discuss
Tell your doctor if you have a history of heart problems including blood pressure issues, history of epilepsy or seizures, asthma or other lung disease, or if you consume large amounts of caffeine regularly.
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
Adenocor is not recommended during pregnancy. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant. It’s unknown whether Adenocor passes into breast milk, so discuss risks and benefits with your doctor if breastfeeding.
Allergic Reactions: Symptoms of allergic reactions include skin rash, itching, shortness of breath, or swelling of face, lips, or tongue which may cause difficulty swallowing or breathing.
Drug Interactions
Several medications can interact with Adenocor and affect how well it works. Always tell your healthcare team about all medications you’re taking.
Caffeine Warning: Avoid caffeine (coffee, tea, chocolate, cola) for at least 12 hours before treatment as it can interfere with the medication.
- theophylline or aminophylline (medicines for breathing problems)
- dipyridamole (medicine for stroke patients)
- carbamazepine (medicine for epilepsy and seizures)
Alcohol & Driving
Since Adenocor is only given in hospitals and its effects last only a couple of minutes, specific alcohol and driving restrictions are not detailed in the prescribing information.
Storage
Adenocor is stored in the hospital pharmacy or on the ward. It’s kept in a cool, dry place where the temperature stays below 25°C. It should not be refrigerated. Patients do not need to store this medication at home.
Overdose Information
Since Adenocor is given under medical supervision in hospitals, overdose is very unlikely. However, if you experience unexpected or worrying side effects and think you’ve been given too much, immediately phone the Poisons Information Centre (13 11 26 in Australia or 0800 764 766 in New Zealand), contact your doctor, or go to the nearest hospital Emergency Department.
Frequently Asked Questions
Adenocor works very quickly. If it’s going to be effective, you should see results within 1 to 2 minutes of the injection. The overall effect only lasts for a couple of minutes.
No, Adenocor is not addictive. This is specifically stated in the prescribing information.
No, you must avoid all caffeine-containing foods and drinks (coffee, tea, chocolate, cola) for at least 12 hours before receiving your Adenocor injection, as caffeine can interfere with the medication.
Possibly. Adults typically receive one 3mg injection first. If your heart rate doesn’t slow down within 1-2 minutes, you may receive additional doses of 6mg or 12mg as determined by your doctor.
No, Adenocor is only given in hospitals under medical supervision. It cannot be taken at home and requires professional administration as a rapid injection.
Tell your doctor about any allergies, heart problems, asthma or lung disease, history of epilepsy, if you’re pregnant or breastfeeding, and all medications you’re taking, especially theophylline, dipyridamole, or carbamazepine.
Allergic reaction symptoms include skin rash, itching, shortness of breath, or swelling of face, lips, or tongue. If you experience swelling that causes difficulty swallowing or breathing, or develop rash, itching or hives, you should stop receiving the medicine and tell your doctor immediately.
Important Disclaimer
This information is intended for general educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider or pharmacist before starting, stopping, or changing any medication.
If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or emergency services immediately.