Adenosine (IV — SVT Termination)
Brand names: Adenocor
Adenosine is used to terminate supraventricular tachycardia involving the AV node and as a diagnostic aid in broad/narrow-complex tachycardia.
ClinCalc Pro is rebuilding its dose data from primary open sources — the manufacturer SmPC (eMC), the WHO Model Formulary and other official references — under clinician review. This drug's structured dose is not yet published here. Confirm all doses against the product SmPC and your local formulary before prescribing.
Clinical monograph
How it works
It briefly slows or blocks AV-node conduction by activating adenosine receptors, interrupting the re-entry circuit; its half-life is only seconds.
Prescribing in practice
- Give as a rapid intravenous bolus into a large/central vein followed immediately by a saline flush, with continuous ECG and resuscitation facilities.
- Warn the patient of brief, distressing but transient effects — flushing, chest tightness and a sense of impending doom; transient asystole occurs as it works.
- Avoid in asthma (bronchospasm); dipyridamole potentiates it (reduce dose) and theophylline antagonises it.
Monitoring
Continuous ECG and clinical monitoring during administration.
Counselling the patient
- You may briefly feel flushed, breathless or have a sense of dread — this passes within seconds.
Evidence & guidelines
First-line to terminate AV-nodal re-entrant SVT (Resuscitation Council UK), used with continuous monitoring.
Reference: Resuscitation Council UK ALS 2021; ESC Arrhythmia Guidelines 2019; Drug verified in RxNorm (NLM); confirm dosing against the manufacturer SPC (eMC). Verify against your local formulary and current prescribing references before prescribing. Monograph status: clinician-reviewed (2026-07-04).
Related
Curated clinical cross-links plus same-class fallbacks.