Adenosine
Adenosine is a naturally occurring purine nucleoside with a pharmacological half-life < 2 seconds (1).
- used in the treatment of arrhythmias, and is one of the drugs of choice in the rapid reversal of paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia.
- cautions include atrial fibrillation or flutter caused by accessory pathways.
Contraindications include second or third degree heart block and sick sinus syndrome.
Side effects include transient facial flush, dyspnoea, a choking sensation, nausea, light-headedness, severe bradycardia which may require pacing, and some transient rhythm disturbances on ECG.
It may be true that adenosine receptors are linked with potassium transport ie it may become a type III drug.
Check the summary of product characteristics before prescribing this drug.
Reference:
- Camm AJ,Ward DE (1993).Drug treatment of tachycardia. Medicine International, 21(11), 432-6.
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