Two medicines, side by side
Adenosine vs baclofen
Adenosine has no indication this site maps; baclofen for muscle spasms and spasticity. Their labels share no use, so they are not alternatives to each other. Drugs@FDA records approvals of adenosine since 1989 and of baclofen since 1977. In FDA's classes, adenosine is an adenosine receptor agonist and baclofen a gamma-aminobutyric acid-ergic agonist.
Check it at the source: the adenosine FDA label on DailyMed (effective April 14, 2025); the baclofen FDA label on DailyMed (effective August 12, 2024).
Highlights of the adenosine record
Adenosine (Adenocard) · label of April 14, 2025
Used for
From the label: indicationsAdenosine injection is indicated as an adjunct to thallium-201 myocardial perfusion scintigraphy in patients unable to exercise adequately. Adenosine injection, a pharmacologic stress agent, is indicated as an adjunct to thallium-201 myocardial perfusion scintigraphy in patients unable to exercise adequately
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- October 30, 1989
- Generic labelers
- 13 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- Not in the survey
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 2
Highlights of the baclofen record
Baclofen (Gablofen) · label of August 12, 2024
Used for
From the label: indicationsBaclofen tablets USP are useful for the alleviation of signs and symptoms of spasticity resulting from multiple sclerosis, particularly for the relief of flexor spasms and concomitant pain, clonus, and muscular rigidity. Patients should have reversible spasticity so that baclofen treatment will aid in restoring residual function. […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- November 22, 1977
- Generic labelers
- 55 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.032 per tablet
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 3
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA (Adenosine label of April 14, 2025, Baclofen label of August 12, 2024); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do adenosine and baclofen differ on the record?
In FDA's classes, adenosine is an adenosine receptor agonist and baclofen a gamma-aminobutyric acid-ergic agonist.
Generics: adenosine since 2004; baclofen since 1988 (Drugs@FDA).
| Adenosine | Baclofen | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | n/a | Muscle spasms and spasticity |
| Pharmacologic class | Adenosine Receptor Agonist | gamma-Aminobutyric Acid-ergic Agonist |
| How it works (label) | Adenosine causes cardiac vasodilation which increases cardiac blood flow. Adenosine is thought to exert its pharmacological effects through activation of purine receptors (cell-surface A 1 and A 2 adenosine receptors). | n/a |
| Half-life (label) | n/a | n/a |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | October 30, 1989 | November 22, 1977 |
| First generic approved | June 16, 2004 | July 21, 1988 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 13 labelers | 55 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | n/a | $0.032 per tablet (Baclofen 10 mg tablet) |
| 12-month price change | n/a | -12% |
| Boxed warning | No | No |
| Shortage now | No current entry | No current entry |
| Recalls recorded | 2 | 3 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 1,600 | 88,351 |
| DEA schedule | none | none |
Source: Drugs@FDA, FDA NDC Directory, CMS NADAC of October 7, 2026, FDA shortages and recalls, FAERS via openFDA (FDA files October 8, 2026)
What next?
- Alternatives to adenosine
- every medicine labeled for the same conditions