Adenocor Consumer Medicine Information

Adenosine
Solution for Injection

6 mg/2 mL ampoules

What is in this Leaflet

This leaflet answers some common questions about Adenocor Injection. It does not contain all the available information.

It does not take the place of talking to your doctor, pharmacist or nurse.

All medicines have benefits and risks. In deciding to give you Adenocor, your doctor has weighed the risks of taking Adenocor against the benefits it will have for you.

If you have any concerns about this medicine ask your doctor, pharmacist or nurse.

What is Adenocor used for

Adenocor is used in emergency situations and is only given in hospitals. It is given to you as an injection.

Adenocor is used to treat a condition called paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia. This is when the heart beats too rapidly. If left untreated this condition can be life threatening.

Adenocor can also be used as an aid to doctors, to understand how your heart is working and beating.

Adenocor works by slowing down the electrical impulses which control the heart rhythm. This allows the heart rhythm to return to normal.

The effect of Adenocor only lasts for a couple of minutes. That is all that is needed for it to have the desired effect.

Your doctor may have prescribed Adenocor for another use. If you want more information, ask your doctor.

Adenocor is available only with a doctor's prescription.

Before you are given Adenocor

When Adenocor should not be used

You should not be given Adenocor if you are allergic to the active ingredient "adenosine".

You should not be given Adenocor if you are pregnant or breast feeding, unless you and your doctor have discussed the risks and benefits involved.

It is not known whether Adenocor can harm your baby or whether it is found in breast milk.

Do not use it after the expiry date (EXP) printed on the vial. It may have no effect at all, or worse, an entirely unexpected effect if you take it after the expiry date.

Before you are given Adenocor

You must tell your doctor if:

  • You suffer from asthma or any other lung disease
  • You already suffer from another heart condition
  • You have recently had a heart transplant.

You should tell your doctor if you have any other medical condition that he or she is not aware of.

You should tell your doctor if you are taking any other medicines. Including any of the following medicines:

  • Caffeine, Theophylline or Aminophylline
  • Dipyridamole
  • Carbamazepine.

These medicines may be affected by Adenocor or affect how well Adenocor works.

If you eat or drink large amounts of food or drinks containing caffeine (e.g. coffee, tea, chocolate or coca cola) you should tell your doctor. These could affect how well the Adenocor works.

You must also tell your doctor if you are taking any other medicines, including medicines that you have bought without a prescription from a pharmacy, supermarket or health food store.

How Adenocor is given

Adenocor will only be given to you in hospital. It will be given to you as a rapid injection over a couple of seconds. Adenocor is given to you as a series of injections as follows:

Adults:

First Dose: One injection of 3 mg

If the first injection does not slow down your heart rate within 1 or 2 minutes, one or two more doses of 6 mg or 12 mg may be given.

Children:

The dose given to children depends on their body weight. Your doctor will calculate the dose.

Side Effects

Tell your doctor as soon as possible if you do not feel well while Adenocor is being given to you. You should also tell your doctor if you do not feel well during the first few days after you have been given Adenocor.

All medicines can have side effects. If they occur, they are most likely minor or temporary. However, sometimes they are serious and need medical treatment.

Tell your doctor if you notice any of the following and they worry you:

  • Facial flushing
  • Shortness of breath
  • A feeling of tightness across the chest
  • Nausea
  • Headache
  • Light headedness.

These side effects are usually mild and should only last a short time.

Less common but more serious side effects include an irregular or slow heart beat.

Other side effects not listed above may also occur in some people. Tell your doctor if you notice any other effects and are concerned about them.

If you take too much (Overdose)

No cases of overdose have been reported. Because the effects of Adenocor only last a very short time, the duration of any side effects due to overdose is likely to be only for a short time.

In the event of an overdose occurring, your doctor will decide on the treatment necessary.

Storage

If you need to store Adenocor make sure it is in a cool dry place where the temperature does not exceed 25°C.

Do not refrigerate.

This is not all the information that is available on Adenocor. If you have any more questions or are not sure about anything ask your doctor or pharmacist.

Product Description

Adenocor comes as a clear colourless solution in a glass vial.

A box contains 6 vials.

Active Ingredient:

Each Adenocor vial contains: Adenosine 6 mg

Other Ingredients:

Sodium Chloride, Sterile Water.

This leaflet was prepared on 04 May 2004