Adenosine Drug Card

Generic Name

Adenosine

Trade Name

Adenocard

Class

Antidysrhythmic - stops the heart from beating incorrectly

Action

Slows conduction through the AV node and can interrupt reentrant AV nodal pathways. This slows down the heart rate and makes it beat correctly

Indications

To convert narrow tachycardia to NSR, may convert reentry SVT from WPW, can be used diagnostically with wide tachycardias

Route

IV/IO

Contraindications

2nd or 3rd degree block, SSS, asthma, COPD, poison/drug induced tachycardias

Adverse Effects

Headache, dizziness, dyspnea, bronchospasm, dysthymias, palpitations, hypotension, chest discomfort, facial flushing, cardiac arrest, nausea, metallic taste, Head/neck pain, paresthesia - pins and needles, diaphoresis

Special Considerations

Not effective in converting AFib, AFlutter, or VT. Crazy short half life, half the dose for patients on dipyridamole, carbamazepine, a transplanted heart, or given through a central line

Dose

6mg first dose, 12 mg second dose