ADENOSINE Overview Information
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 treating shingles (herpes zoster infection) and a blood disorder called porphyria 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 organ failure, high blood pressure in lungarteries (pulmonary hypertension), cystic fibrosis, lung cancer, weight loss associated with cancer, and controlling blood pressure during anesthesia and surgery. It is also used for cardiac stress tests.
Healthcare providers give adenosine intravenously for treating surgical pain and nerve pain, pulmonary hypertension, 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 the spinal cord to 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 (herpes zoster infection), cold sores and genital herpes (herpes simplex infections), and poor blood circulation.
How does it work?
Adenosine blocks faulty circuitry in the heart, which causes irregular heart rhythm. Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) might prevent changes in energy metabolism that cause weight loss in people with advanced cancer.
ADENOSINE Uses & Effectiveness 
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, and quality of life in people with advanced non-small-cell lung cancer and other tumors.
- Wounds, usually in the legs, due to poor circulation (venous stasis ulcers). Intramuscular AMP might relieve fluid retention, itchiness, swelling and redness due to venous stasis ulcers.
Insufficient Evidence 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.
ADENOSINE Side Effects & Safety
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 of uric acid in the blood stream and in the urine, and this might trigger a case of gout. 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 and heart attack.
ADENOSINE Interactions
Major Interaction Do not take this combination
- Dipyridamole (Persantine) interacts with ADENOSINE
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).
Moderate Interaction Be cautious with this combination
- Carbamazepine (Tegretol) interacts with ADENOSINE
Adenosine can slow down the heart beat. Taking carbamazepine (Tegretol) with adenosine might cause the heart to beat too slowly. Do not take adenosine if you are taking carbamazepine (Tegretol).
Minor Interaction Be watchful with this combination
- Medications for gout (Antigout drugs) interacts with ADENOSINE
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. - Methylxanthines interacts with ADENOSINE
Methylxanthines might block the affects of adenosine. 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 other caffeine containing products at least 24 hours before a cardiac stress test.
Methylxanthines include aminophylline, caffeine, and theophylline.
ADENOSINE Dosing
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).
- For treating wounds in the legs due to poor blood circulation: Healthcare providers give adenosine intramuscularly (by injection into the muscle).