Adenosine 3mg/ml, 2ml SDV, 10/pk

Description

Adenosine is the primary drug used in the treatment of stable narrow-complex SVT (supraventricular Tachycardia). It can now also be used for regular monomorphicwide-complex tachycardia. When given as a rapid IV bolus, adenosine slows cardiacconduction particularly affecting conduction through the AV node.

Dosing

The first dose of adenosine should be 6 mg administered rapidly over 1-3 seconds followed by a 20 ml NS bolus. If the patient’s rhythm does not convert out of SVT within 1 to 2 minutes, a second 12 mg dose may be given in similar fashion. All efforts should be made to administer adenosine as quickly as possible.

A lower initial dose of 3mg should be used for patients taking dipyridamole or carbamazepine as these two medications potentiate the effects of adenosine.

Also, prolonged asystole has been seen with the use of normal doses of adenosine in heart transplant patients and central line use. Therefore, the lower dose (3mg) may be considered for patients with a central venous line or a history of heart transplant.

Precautions

Some side effects of adenosine administration include flushing, chest pain/tightness, brief asystole or bradycardia.

Make sure that adenosine is not used for irregular, polymorphic wide-complex tachycardia and unstable VT. Use in these cases may cause clinical deterioration.