Editing Adenosine (section)

=== Dosage ===
When used to treat SVT, adenosine is administered [[Intravenous therapy|intravenously]] as a rapid [[Bolus (medicine)|bolus]] (typically 0.10–0.15 mg/kg initially) over 1-2 seconds, followed by a rapid [[saline flush]] (often using a 2-way or 3-way stopcock). If the initial dose is ineffective, it may be repeated every 2 minutes with a slightly increased dose (0.05–0.1 mg/kg increments) every 2 minutes up to a maximum total dose of 0.3 mg/kg (not exceeding 12 mg). Due to adenosine's extremely short half-life (less than 10 seconds), it is often injected through a [[central venous line]] or a large proximal peripheral vein; administration into lower extremities, [[PICC line]]s, or smaller veins may lead to therapeutic failure due to rapid metabolism before reaching the heart.<ref name="pmid39033975"/> When given to dilate the arteries, such as in a "stress test", the dosage is typically 0.14&nbsp;mg/kg/min, administered for 4 or 6 minutes, depending on the protocol.

The recommended dose may be increased in patients on theophylline since methylxanthines prevent binding of adenosine at receptor sites. The dose is often decreased in patients on [[dipyridamole]] (Persantine) and [[diazepam]] (Valium) because adenosine potentiates the effects of these drugs. The recommended dose is also reduced by half in patients presenting [[congestive heart failure]], [[myocardial infarction]], [[shock (circulatory)|shock]], [[hypoxia (medical)|hypoxia]], and/or chronic liver disease or [[chronic kidney disease]], and in [[elderly]] patients.