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Adenosine

What is adenosine?

Adenosine is a chemical found in all human cells. Adenosine combines with phosphates to form chemical compounds, including adenosine monophosphate (AMP) and adenosine triphosphate (ATP). Adenosine is also used as a medicine. AMP is taken orally to treat herpes zoster infections and a blood disorder called porphyria cutanea tarda. ATP is used instilled under the tongue to increase physical energy. It is also used intravenously to treat acute kidney failure, multiple organ failure, high blood pressure in the pulmonary arteries, cystic fibrosis, lung cancer and cancer-related weight loss, as well as to control blood pressure during anesthesia and surgery. ATP is also used in cardiovascular stress tests. Doctors administer adenosine intravenously to treat surgical pain and nerve pain, pulmonary hypertension and certain types of irregular heartbeat. It is also administered to control blood pressure during anesthesia and surgery, as well as for cardiovascular stress tests. Adenosine is injected into the area around the spine to treat nerve pain. Adenosine phosphate is injected intramuscularly to treat varicose veins, bursitis, painful and swollen tendons, itching, multiple sclerosis, neuropathy, herpes zoster infections, cold sores, genital herpes and poor circulation.

How does adenosine work?

Adenosine blocks faulty signals in the heart that cause an irregular heart rhythm. Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) may prevent changes in energy metabolism that lead to weight loss in people suffering from certain types of cancer.

How effective is adenosine?

Adenosine (as a prescription intravenous medication) is effective in treating certain types of irregular heartbeat.

Adenosine may be effective for treating:

o Weight loss in people with advanced cancer. Intravenously administered ATP appears to improve appetite, food intake and quality of life in people with lung cancer and other tumors.

o Wounds due to poor circulation (venous congestion), usually located in the legs. Intravenously administered AMP could relieve water retention, itching, swelling and redness caused by venous congestion.

There is not enough scientific data to make a statement about the effectiveness of adenosine for the following conditions:

  • Herpes zoster infections: Early research suggests that AMP injected intramuscularly may be effective in treating herpes zoster infections and preventing nerve pain that follows such an infection. Intramuscularly administered AMP may also be effective in treating other types of herpes infections.
  • Lung cancer: Scientific research suggests that ATP does not appear to be effective for the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer.
  • Pain

Further scientific research is needed to determine the effectiveness of adenosine for these conditions.

Are there any safety concerns?

Adenosine appears to be safe and harmless for most people when injected by a doctor. It can cause side effects such as breathing problems and chest pain, which is particularly the case when high doses are administered. Other possible side effects include headaches, palpitations, nausea, sweating, hot flashes, drowsiness, sleep problems, coughing and anxiety.

Precautions and warnings

Pregnancy and breastfeeding: Not enough is known about the safety of adenosine during pregnancy and breastfeeding. For this reason, pregnant and breastfeeding women should avoid adenosine to be on the safe side.

Gout: Adenosine can increase uric acid levels in the blood and urine and this can cause gout. Gout causes red, hot, tender and swollen joints. The joint most commonly affected is the base joint of the big toe.

Heart disease: ATP can reduce blood flow to the heart. It may exacerbate symptoms such as chest pain and increase the risk of heart attack in patients with heart disease.

Interactions

Adenosine should not be combined with the following medications:

Dipyridamole

The body breaks down adenosine in order to be able to excrete it. Dipyridamole can reduce the breakdown of adenosine and a reduction in the breakdown of adenosine can cause heart problems. For this reason, adenosine should not be used if you are taking dipyridamole.

Carbamazepine

Adenosine can slow down the heartbeat. Taking carbamazepine with adenosine can cause a slow heartbeat. For this reason, adenosine should not be used when taking carbamazepine.

Care should be taken when combining adenosine with the following medications:

Medication for gout

Gout is caused by an accumulation of uric acid crystals in the joints. Adenosine can increase uric acid levels in the body and may reduce the effectiveness of gout medications.

Methylxanthines

Methylxanthines can block the effects of adenosine. Adenosine is often used by doctors to perform a test of the heart. This test is called a cardiac stress test. In order not to falsify the results of such a test, you should not consume any caffeinated drinks or supplements 24 hours before such a test. Methylxanthines include aminophylline, caffeine and theophylline.

Dosage

The following dosages have been used in scientific studies:

Intravenously

For certain types of irregular heartbeat and weight loss in people with advanced cancer: doctors administer adenosine as an intravenous injection for these conditions.

Intramuscular

For the treatment of wounds on the legs due to poor circulation: Doctors administer adenosine as an intramuscular injection for these conditions.

References

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