Two medicines, side by side
Adenosine vs nitroglycerin
Adenosine has no indication this site maps; nitroglycerin for angina, high blood pressure and heart failure. Their labels share no use, so they are not alternatives to each other. Drugs@FDA records approvals of adenosine since 1989 and of nitroglycerin since 1981. In FDA's classes, adenosine is an adenosine receptor agonist and nitroglycerin a nitrate vasodilator.
Check it at the source: the adenosine FDA label on DailyMed (effective April 14, 2025); the nitroglycerin FDA label on DailyMed (effective February 15, 2023).
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 nitroglycerin record
Nitroglycerin (Nitrostat) · label of February 15, 2023
Used for
From the label: indicationsNITROSTAT is indicated for the acute relief of an attack or acute prophylaxis of angina pectoris due to coronary artery disease. NITROSTAT is a nitrate vasodilator indicated for relief of an attack or prophylaxis of angina pectoris due to coronary artery disease.
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- September 30, 1981
- Generic labelers
- 31 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.127 per tablet
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- A presentation being discontinued
- Recalls
- 13
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA (Adenosine label of April 14, 2025, Nitroglycerin label of February 15, 2023); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do adenosine and nitroglycerin differ on the record?
In FDA's classes, adenosine is an adenosine receptor agonist and nitroglycerin a nitrate vasodilator.
How each works, in its label's words: Adenosine, “Adenosine is thought to exert its pharmacological effects through activation of purine receptors (cell-surface A 1 and A 2 adenosine receptors).”; Nitroglycerin, “Nitroglycerin forms free radical nitric oxide (NO) which activates guanylate cyclase, resulting in an increase of guanosine 3'5' monophosphate (cyclic GMP) in smooth muscle and other tissues.”
Generics: adenosine since 2004; nitroglycerin since 1981 (Drugs@FDA).
| Adenosine | Nitroglycerin | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | n/a | Angina, High blood pressure, Heart failure, Heart attack and coronary artery disease |
| Pharmacologic class | Adenosine Receptor Agonist | Nitrate Vasodilator |
| 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). | Nitroglycerin forms free radical nitric oxide (NO) which activates guanylate cyclase, resulting in an increase of guanosine 3'5' monophosphate (cyclic GMP) in smooth muscle and other tissues. |
| Half-life (label) | n/a | The elimination half-life of 1,2- and 1,3-dinitroglycerin is 36 and 32 minutes, respectively. |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | October 30, 1989 | September 30, 1981 |
| First generic approved | June 16, 2004 | May 28, 1981 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 13 labelers | 31 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | n/a | $0.127 per tablet (Nitroglycerin 0.4 mg tablet sl) |
| 12-month price change | n/a | -24% |
| Boxed warning | No | No |
| Shortage now | No current entry | A presentation being discontinued |
| Recalls recorded | 2 | 13 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 1,600 | 53,311 |
| 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