Other Brand Names

ATP Dankos, Atrivat, Bio ATP, Enerplus, Neuro ATP, Pro ATP

How It Works

Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) functions by blocking the electrical signals in the heart that lead to irregular heart rhythms. ATP can also prevent changes in energy metabolism that may contribute to weight loss in patients with advanced cancer.

Indications

Adenosine riphosphate is prescribed for the treatment of heart rhythm disorders, such as paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia (SVT). It is also used to help identify blockages in the heart's arteries and is commonly used for imaging the heart muscle.

Contraindications

• Heart rhythm disorders

  • Second- or third-degree AV block (a condition where the heart's electrical signals are disrupted, causing the heart to beat too slowly)

  • Sick Sinus Syndrome (SSS), where the sinoatrial node (the heart's natural pacemaker) malfunctions

  • Long QT syndrome, a heart rhythm disorder that can cause rapid and irregular heartbeats

• Severe low blood pressure

• Unstable angina (chest pain caused by blocked coronary arteries)

• Heart failure

• Asthma

• Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)

Side Effects

Common side effects may include:

• Nausea

• Dizziness

• Flushing

• Headache

• Chest pain resembling angina

• Shortness of breath

• Irregular heart rhythm (either too fast or too slow)

• Discomfort in the stomach, throat, neck, or jaw

Potentially fatal side effects include:

• Cardiac arrest

• Respiratory arrest

Types

ATP is available in the following forms, combination tablets, film-coated caplets, and injectable medicines.

Dosage

Cardiac Imaging

• Adults: 140 mcg/kg/minute for 6 minutes, administered via infusion pump (total dose: 0.84 mg/kg)

Treating SVT Arrhythmias

• Adults:

  • Initial dose: 3 mg intravenously, administered rapidly over 2 seconds

  • If necessary, a 6 mg dose can be given after 1-2 minutes, followed by 12 mg after another 1-2 minutes

  • Follow each dose with normal saline

• Children:

  • Weight <50 kg: Initial dose of 50-100 mcg/kg body weight intravenously, rapidly given. The dose may be increased by 50-100 mcg/kg over 1-2 minutes until the heart rhythm normalizes. Maximum dose: 300 mcg/kg.

  • Weight >50 kg: Same dosage as adults.

Safety

There is limited information available about the safety of adenosine use during pregnancy or breastfeeding. It is recommended to avoid using adenosine while pregnant or breastfeeding to ensure safety.

Drug Interactions

Concurrent use of carbamazepine with adenosine can increase the severity of heart block. Additionally, combined use of verapamil and digoxin (blood pressure-lowering medications) may cause heart rhythm disturbances, such as ventricular fibrillation.

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