Adenosine

• Overview
• Uses
• Side Effects
• Interactions
• Dosing

Adenosine is a chemical that is present in all human cells. It readily combines with phosphate to form various chemical compounds including adenosine monophosphate (AMP) and adenosine triphosphate (ATP). People use it for medicine.

AMP is taken by mouth for treatingshingles(herpes zosterinfection) and a blood disorder calledporphyria cutanea tarda.

ATP is used under the tongue to increase physical energy. It is also given intravenously (by IV) for treating acute kidney failure, multiple器官衰竭,high blood pressurein lung arteries (pulmonary hypertension),cystic fibrosis, lung cancer, weight loss associated with cancer, and controlling blood pressure duringanesthesiaand surgery. It is also used for cardiacstresstests.

Healthcare providers give adenosine intravenously for treating surgical pain and nerve pain, pulmonaryhypertension, and certain types of irregular heartbeat. It is also given for controlling blood pressure during anesthesia and surgery and for heart tests called cardiac stress tests.

Adenosine is injected into the space around thespinal cordto treat nerve pain.

Adenosine phosphate is given by injection into the muscle (intramuscularly) for treating varicose veins,bursitis, pain and swollen tendons (tendonitis), itchiness,multiple sclerosis(MS),neuropathy, shingles (herpeszoster infection), cold sores andgenitalherpes (herpes simplex infections), and poor bloodcirculation.

How does it work?

Adenosine blocks faulty circuitry in the heart, which causes irregular heart rhythm. Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) might prevent changes in energymetabolismthat cause weight loss in people with advanced cancer.

Effective for...

• Treating certain kinds of irregular heartbeat (as a prescription-only intravenous medicine).

Possibly Effective for...

• Treating weight loss in people with advanced cancer. Intravenous ATP seems to improve appetite, food intake, andquality of lifein people with advanced non-small-cell lung cancer and other tumors.
• Wounds, usually in the legs, due to poor circulation (venous stasis ulcers).IntramuscularAMP might relieve fluid retention, itchiness, swelling and redness due to venousstasisulcers.

Insufficient Evidence to Rate Effectiveness for...

• Shingles (herpes zoster infection). Early research suggests that AMP given by injection into the muscle might be effective for treating herpes zoster (shingles) infection and for preventing nerve pain that follows these infections. Intramuscular AMP might also be effective for treating other kinds of herpes infections, according to limited research.
• Lung cancer. Developing studies suggest that ATP is not effective for treating non-small-cell lung cancer.
• Pain.
• Other conditions.

More evidence is needed to rate the effectiveness of adenosine for these uses.

Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database rates effectiveness based on scientific evidence according to the following scale: Effective, Likely Effective, Possibly Effective, Possibly Ineffective, Likely Ineffective, and Insufficient Evidence to Rate(detailed description of each of the ratings).

Adenosine appears to be safe for most people when given by injection by qualified healthcare givers. It can cause breathing problems and chest pain, particularly when given at high doses. Headache, heart pounding,low blood pressure, nausea, sweating, flushing,lightheadedness, sleep problems, coughing, and anxiety can also occur.

Special Precautions & Warnings:

Pregnancy and breast-feeding: Not enough is known about the use of adenosine during pregnancy and breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.

Gout: ATP can raise the level ofuric acidin the blood stream and in the urine, and this mighttriggera case ofgout. Gout causes red, hot, tender, swollen joints. The joint that is most often affected is at the base of the big toe.

Heart disease: ATP can cause reduced blood flow to the heart and chest pain. It might worsen symptoms in patients with heart diseases such as chest pain andheart attack.

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Dipyridamole (Persantine)Interaction Rating:MajorDo not take this combination.

The body breaks down adenosine to get rid of it. Dipyridamole (Persantine) can decrease the break down of adenosine. Decreasing the breakdown of adenosine can cause heart problems. Do not take adenosine if you are taking dipyridamole (Persantine).

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Carbamazepine (Tegretol)Interaction Rating:ModerateBe cautious with this combination.Talk with your health provider.

Adenosine can slow down the heartbeat. Taking carbamazepine (Tegretol) with adenosine might cause the heart to beat too slowly. Do not take adenosine if you are taking carbamazepine (Tegretol).

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Medications for gout (Antigout drugs)Interaction Rating:MinorBe cautious with this combination.Talk with your health provider.

Gout is caused by a build-up of uric acid crystals in the joints. Adenosine can increase uric acid in the body and might reduce the effectiveness of medications for gout.

Some medications for gout include allopurinol (Zyloprim),colchicine, probenecid (Benemid), and others.

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MethylxanthinesInteraction Rating:MinorBe cautious with this combination.Talk with your health provider.

Methylxanthines可能会阻止adenosi的影响ne. Adenosine is often used by doctors to do a test on the heart. This test is called a cardiac stress test. Stop drinking black tea or othercaffeinecontaining products at least 24 hours before a cardiac stress test.

Methylxanthines include aminophylline, caffeine, and theophylline.

The following doses have been studied in scientific research:

INTRAVENOUS:

• For certain types of irregular heartbeat and also for weight loss in people with advanced cancer: Healthcare providers give adenosine as a shot (by injection).

INTRAMUSCULAR:

• For treating wounds in the legs due to poor blood circulation: Healthcare providers give adenosine intramuscularly (by injection into the muscle).