Note: This document contains side effect information about adenosine. Some dosage forms listed on this page may not apply to the brand name Adenoscan.

Applies to adenosine: intravenous solution.

Serious side effects of Adenoscan

Along with its needed effects, adenosine (the active ingredient contained in Adenoscan) may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor or nurse immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking adenosine:

More common

• Chest discomfort
• difficult or labored breathing
• lightheadedness or dizziness
• throat, neck, or jaw discomfort
• tightness in the chest

Less common

• Chest pain
• confusion
• dizziness, faintness, or lightheadedness when getting up suddenly from a lying or sitting position
• fainting
• fast, slow, or irregular heartbeat
• sweating
• troubled breathing
• unusual tiredness or weakness

Rare

• Fast, irregular, pounding, or racing heartbeat or pulse
• headache
• nervousness
• pounding in the ears

Other side effects of Adenoscan

Some side effects of adenosine may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects.

Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

More common

• Diarrhea
• feeling of warmth
• indigestion
• loss of appetite
• nausea or vomiting
• passing of gas
• redness of the face, neck, arms, and occasionally, upper chest
• stomach pain, fullness, or discomfort

Rare

• Area of decreased vision
• cough
• discomfort in the back, ears, or tongue
• drowsiness
• dry mouth
• metallic taste
• mood changes
• shakiness in the legs, arms, hands, or feet
• stuffy nose
• trembling or shaking of the hands or feet

For Healthcare Professionals

Applies to adenosine: compounding powder, intravenous solution, sublingual spray.

General

The most common adverse reactions are flushing, chest discomfort, dyspnea, facial flushing, headache, throat/neck/jaw discomfort, gastrointestinal discomfort, and lightheadedness/dizziness.^[Ref]

Cardiovascular

Very common (10% or more): Flushing (44%), facial flushing (18%)

Common (1% to 10%): First degree atrioventricular block, second degree atrioventricular block, hypotension, arrhythmias, ventricular tachycardia

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Bradycardia, sinus tachycardia, palpitations

Very rare (less than 0.01%): Atrial fibrillation, ventricular fibrillation, Torsade de pointes, severe bradycardia

Frequency not reported: Myocardial infarction, ventricular arrhythmia, third degree atrioventricular block, sinus exit block, sinus pause, hypertension, skipped beats, atrial extrasystoles, ventricular extrasystoles

Postmarketing reports: Cardiac arrest/asystole, cardiac failure, tachycardia, prolonged asystole, transient increase in blood pressure^[Ref]

Other

Very common (10% or more): Chest discomfort (40%)

Common (1% to 10%): ST segment depression, chest pressure

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Feeling of general discomfort/weakness/pain

Rare (less than 0.1%): Tinnitus, nipple discomfort

Frequency not reported: Chest pain, feeling of thoracic constriction/oppression, weakness, T wave changes, ear discomfort, tongue discomfort, heaviness in arms, pressure in groin

Postmarketing reports: ST segment elevation^[Ref]

Respiratory

Very common (10% or more): Dyspnea (up to 28%)

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Hyperventilation

Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Bronchospasm, nasal congestion

Very rare (less than 0.01%): Respiratory failure

Frequency not reported: Cough, throat tightness

Postmarketing reports: Respiratory arrest/apnea^[Ref]

Nervous system

Very common (10% or more): Headache (up to 18%), lightheadedness/dizziness (12%)

Common (1% to 10%): Paresthesia, tingling in arms, numbness, burning sensation

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Metallic taste, head pressure

Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Tremor, drowsiness

Very rare (less than 0.01%): Intracranial hypertension worsening

Frequency not reported: Scotomas, convulsions

Postmarketing reports: Cerebrovascular accident, intracranial hemorrhage, seizure, tonic clonic seizures, loss of consciousness/syncope^[Ref]

Musculoskeletal

Very common (10% or more): Throat/neck/jaw discomfort (15%)

Common (1% to 10%): Upper extremity discomfort

Frequency not reported: Back discomfort, lower extremity discomfort, neck and back pain^[Ref]

Gastrointestinal

Very common (10% or more): Gastrointestinal discomfort (13%)

Common (1% to 10%): Dry mouth, nausea

Frequency not reported: Abdominal discomfort

Postmarketing reports: Vomiting^[Ref]

Psychiatric

Common (1% to 10%): Nervousness, apprehension

Frequency not reported: Emotional instability^[Ref]

Dermatologic

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Sweating

Postmarketing reports: Angioedema, urticaria, rash^[Ref]

Ocular

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Blurred vision^[Ref]

Genitourinary

Rare (less than 0.1%): Urinary urgency

Frequency not reported: Vaginal pressure^[Ref]

Local

Very rare (less than 0.01%): Injection site reaction

Postmarketing reports: Infusion site pain^[Ref]

Hypersensitivity

Postmarketing reports: Hypersensitivity, anaphylaxis^[Ref]