Adenosine Viatris (Adenosine)
Complete patient guide for uses, dosage, side effects, and safety information
Prescription RequiredQuick Facts
What Is Adenosine Viatris Used For?
Adenosine Viatris is a specialized heart medication that contains the active ingredient adenosine. It’s used in hospital settings to treat serious heart rhythm problems and help doctors understand how your heart is working.
Primary Uses
Adenosine Viatris 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
Adenosine Viatris works by slowing down the electrical impulses that control heart rhythm. This allows the heart rhythm to return to normal. The effect of this medicine only lasts for a couple of minutes.
Good to know: There is no evidence this medicine is addictive.
How to Take Adenosine Viatris
Adenosine Viatris will only be given to you in hospital by a trained healthcare professional. It’s administered as a rapid injection over a couple of seconds either directly into a vein or via an intravenous (I.V.) line.
Dosage Instructions
Your doctor will decide what dose you receive based on your condition. Adults typically receive one injection (3mg). If the first injection doesn’t slow down your heart rate within 1 or 2 minutes, one (6mg) or two (12mg) doses may be given. Usually you will only need one or several doses a few minutes apart. There is not enough evidence to recommend use for children.
Important: Do not eat or drink food or drinks containing caffeine (e.g. coffee, tea, chocolate or cola) for at least 12 hours before you receive your injection.
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 or urge to breathe deeply
- Feeling of tightness across the chest
- Nausea
- Headache
- Light headedness and dizziness
- Discomfort in the throat, neck or jaw
- Burning sensation
Seek immediate medical attention if you experience:
- Irregular or slow heart beat
- Problems with your breathing
- Spasm of the artery in the heart which may lead to a heart attack
- Swelling of the face, lips, mouth or throat, which may cause difficulty in swallowing or breathing
- Rash, itching or hives on the skin
Important Warnings
There are important safety considerations before receiving Adenosine Viatris. Make sure your healthcare team knows about all your medical conditions and medications.
Who Should Not Take Adenosine Viatris
Do not use if you are allergic to adenosine or any ingredients, have asthma, have certain heart problems or heart rhythm issues, or have severe low blood pressure.
Medical Conditions to Discuss
Tell your doctor if you have allergies to theophylline, aminophylline, dipyridamole, carbamazepine, or other medicines; history of heart problems including blood pressure issues; heart transplant within the last 12 months; history of epilepsy or seizures; lung disease such as bronchitis or emphysema; or if you consume large amounts of caffeine.
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
Adenosine Viatris is not recommended during pregnancy. Your doctor will discuss the risks and benefits if you are pregnant. It is not known whether this medicine passes into breast milk. Your doctor will discuss the benefits and possible risks if you are breastfeeding.
Drug Interactions
Some medicines may interfere with Adenosine Viatris and affect how it works. Tell your doctor about all medicines you’re taking.
- Theophylline or aminophylline (medicines used to help relieve breathing problems)
- Dipyridamole (medicine used for people who have had a stroke)
- Carbamazepine (medicine used to treat epilepsy and seizures)
Alcohol & Driving
Since Adenosine Viatris is only given in hospital settings and its effects last only a couple of minutes, specific alcohol and driving restrictions are not detailed in the prescribing information.
Storage
Adenosine Viatris is stored in the pharmacy or on the hospital ward. Do not refrigerate. Store below 25°C.
Overdose Information
Since this medicine is given under medical supervision in a hospital, it’s very unlikely you’ll receive too much. However, if you experience any unexpected or worrying side effects and think you’ve received too much, immediately phone the Poisons Information Centre (Australia telephone 13 11 26) for advice, contact your doctor, or go to the Emergency Department at your nearest hospital.
Frequently Asked Questions
Adenosine Viatris works very quickly. If the first injection doesn’t slow down your heart rate within 1 or 2 minutes, additional doses may be given. The effect of this medicine only lasts for a couple of minutes.
You must not eat or drink food or drinks containing caffeine (such as coffee, tea, chocolate or cola) for at least 12 hours before you receive your injection, as these can affect how well the medicine works.
No, there is no evidence that this medicine is addictive.
Adenosine Viatris will only be given to you in a hospital by a trained healthcare professional. It cannot be given at home or in other settings.
Tell your doctor about any allergies, medical conditions (especially heart, lung, or seizure disorders), all medications you’re taking, and if you’re pregnant or breastfeeding. Also mention if you consume large amounts of caffeine.
There is not enough evidence to recommend the use of this medicine for children.
Tell your doctor or nurse as soon as possible if you don’t feel well during or after treatment. For serious side effects like irregular heartbeat, breathing problems, or allergic reactions, tell your doctor or nurse 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.