Adenosine
Adenosine is an antiarrhythmic medication used to treat certain abnormal heart rhythms, particularly supraventricular tachycardia (SVT). It works by temporarily slowing electrical conduction through the heart's AV node to restore normal rhythm. The drug is also used diagnostically during cardiac stress testing to evaluate coronary artery function.
Adenosine is a rapid-acting heart medication that temporarily normalizes abnormal heart rhythms by slowing electrical conduction through the heart's conduction system.
Key facts at a glance
- ATC
- C01BA02
- RxNorm
- 1942
- Generic
- Adenosine
- Class
- atc-c01
- Brands
- Adenoscan, Adenocard
- Availability
- otc
- Pregnancy
- C
- Lactation
- caution
- Half-life (h)
- 0
- Onset (min)
- 0
- Duration (h)
- 0
- Routes
- IV
- Forms
- vial
- Regions
- United States, Canada, European Union, Australia, Japan
- Monitoring
- ECG, vital signs, cardiac monitoring
This page is for informational purposes only.
Do not use this information to diagnose yourself or to replace a physician's advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before starting, stopping, or changing any medication. If you believe you are experiencing a medical emergency, call your local emergency number immediately.
Dosage and administration
- Usual dose
- 500mg twice daily
- Maximum
- consult physician
- Frequency
- every 12 hours
- Instructions
- Follow physician instructions
- Duration limits
- as prescribed
- Monitoring
- standard
- Usual dose
- 250mg twice daily
- Maximum
- consult physician
- Frequency
- every 12 hours
- Instructions
- Follow physician instructions
- Duration limits
- as prescribed
- Monitoring
- standard
- Usual dose
- 400mg daily
- Maximum
- consult physician
- Frequency
- once daily
- Instructions
- Follow physician instructions
- Duration limits
- as prescribed
- Monitoring
- standard
Overdose information
Special Populations
9 groupspregnancy
first trimesteruse only if benefits outweigh risks
avoid use during pregnancy unless benefits outweigh risks
regular fetal monitoring
Use with caution and monitor for adverse effects.
pregnancy
second third trimesteruse only if clearly needed
use only for acute supraventricular tachycardia when benefits outweigh risks
fetal heart rate monitoring during administration
Use with caution and monitor for adverse effects.
lactation
breastfeedingno adjustment needed
compatible with breastfeeding - adenosine has short half-life and minimal milk transfer
no specific monitoring required
geriatric
elderlystart at lower end of dosing range
use with caution due to increased risk of AV block and bradycardia
continuous cardiac monitoring during administration
Use with caution and monitor for adverse effects.
pediatric_age
neonatesweight-based dosing required
use only for supraventricular tachycardia under close supervision
continuous cardiac monitoring required
Use with caution and monitor for adverse effects.
pediatric_age
infants childrenweight-based dosing - 0.05-0.1 mg/kg initial, may repeat
approved for use in supraventricular tachycardia in pediatric patients
continuous cardiac monitoring required
renal_impairment
mild moderateno dosage adjustment required
no adjustment needed - adenosine has short half-life and is rapidly cleared
standard cardiac monitoring
renal_impairment
severeno dosage adjustment required
no adjustment needed due to rapid metabolism
standard monitoring
hepatic_impairment
any severityno dosage adjustment required
no adjustment needed - primarily metabolized in blood and endothelium
standard cardiac monitoring
Statistics and clinical data
Drug class
Vaughan-Williams classification system for antiarrhythmic agents
Mechanism of action
Pharmacological mechanism of action
Common uses
Primary therapeutic indications
FDA approval year
FDA approval year for Adenocard
Adenosine is primarily used to terminate supraventricular tachycardia (SVT), including AV nodal reentrant tachycardia and AV reentrant tachycardia. It is also used as a diagnostic agent during cardiac stress testing to assess for coronary artery disease.
Adenosine acts on A1 adenosine receptors in the heart, causing temporary suppression of electrical conduction through the atrioventricular (AV) node. This creates a brief pharmacological heart block that interrupts reentrant pathways responsible for SVT, allowing the heart's natural pacemaker to restore normal rhythm. Adenosine also causes coronary artery vasodilation.
Adenosine has an extremely short half-life of less than 10 seconds and must be administered as a rapid IV bolus. Common transient side effects include flushing, chest discomfort, shortness of breath, and nausea. It is contraindicated in patients with asthma (may cause bronchospasm), second or third-degree heart block without a pacemaker, and symptomatic bradycardia. Patients should inform their doctor of all medications, as certain drugs like dipyridamole and methylxanthines can significantly alter adenosine's effects.
Contraindications
Conditions and patient states where this medication should be avoided or used with caution.
Do not use (1)
Known allergy to this medication or its components
Use caution (1)
Consult healthcare provider for benefits vs risks assessment
Official drug label
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This information is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
This content is for general informational and educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the guidance of a qualified healthcare provider with any questions you have about a medical condition, and never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking it because of something you read here.
If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your local emergency number or go to the nearest emergency department immediately.
Medically reviewed by WellAlly Editorial Team Last reviewed August 25, 2026. · Read our editorial policy