adenosine vs theophylline
Side-by-side comparison of adenosine and theophylline. Data from FDA drug databases (Orange Book, NDC Directory, recalls, shortages) covering 20,000+ approved drugs, plus CMS pricing; see our methodology.
minor Known Drug Interaction
Adenosine Theophylline blocks adenosine receptors. Higher doses of adenosine may be required to achieve desired effect. 25% increase Diazepam Benzodiazepines increase CNS concentrations of adenosine, a potent CNS depressant, while theophylline blocks adenosine receptors.
Recommendation: A higher dose of adenosine may be needed to reach the desired effect while you are taking theophylline.
Adenocard
Theo-24, Elixophyllin
Adenosine (Adenocard) is a medicine used to treat certain types of irregular heartbeats. It belongs to a class of drugs called antiarrhythmics.
Theophylline is a medicine that helps you breathe easier. It treats the symptoms of asthma and other lung problems.
Adenosine is used to treat a very fast heart rate in the upper chambers of your heart. This condition is called supraventricular tachycardia (SVT). Adenosine helps to slow down your heart rate to a normal rhythm.
Theophylline treats the symptoms of long-term asthma and other lung diseases. These include emphysema and chronic bronchitis, which make it hard to breathe. This medicine helps to open up your airways so you can breathe easier.
Adenosine works by slowing down the electrical signals in your heart. This helps to interrupt the fast heart rhythm and restore a normal heartbeat. It does this by acting on specific receptors in the heart tissue.
Theophylline is a bronchodilator. It works by relaxing the muscles in your airways. This allows more air to flow in and out of your lungs.
No common side effects listed.
- • Nausea
- • Vomiting
- • Headache
- • Trouble sleeping (insomnia)
- Very fast heart rate 94
- Low blood pressure 86
- Heart stops beating 78
- Difficulty breathing 74
- Pain 67
- Difficulty breathing 2,273
- Asthma 1,942
- Pneumonia 1,317
- Wheezing 1,306
- Vomiting 1,101
Since this medication is administered by a healthcare provider in a monitored setting, there are no specific at-home warnings.
If your theophylline levels get too high in your blood, it can cause serious side effects. These include severe vomiting, irregular heartbeats, and seizures. These can be life-threatening.
It is not known if adenosine can harm an unborn baby. Talk to your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is also not known if adenosine passes into breast milk, so discuss this with your doctor if you are breastfeeding.
It is not known if theophylline can harm an unborn baby. Talk to your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is also not known if theophylline passes into breast milk, so talk to your doctor if you are breastfeeding.
How to Read This adenosine vs theophylline Comparison
adenosine is classified in the Endogenous Nucleoside (Antiarrhythmic) drug class, while theophylline sits within the Methylxanthine Bronchodilator class. Drugs from different classes work through distinct mechanisms, so a head-to-head comparison illustrates trade-offs rather than equivalence. Both drugs are prescription-only, so a licensed provider must authorize use.
Adverse event totals above are pulled from the FDA's Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). For these top-ranked reactions alone, adenosine has 399 submissions while theophylline has 7,939. Those figures reflect cumulative reporting volume, not per-patient risk, so older, widely dispensed drugs typically look worse on count alone. These two drugs have a known minor interaction flagged in FDA labeling, attributed to theophylline blocks the specific spots in your body where adenosine works, making the adenosine less effective.. Serious warnings, pregnancy guidance, and contraindications can differ even when indications overlap.
A table cannot substitute for clinical judgment. Effectiveness, tolerability, drug-drug interactions with your other medications, kidney and liver function, pregnancy status, insurance formulary, and price all feed into a decision that only a licensed prescriber can make responsibly. Data here is sourced from FDA Structured Product Labels (SPL) and FAERS, both of which update as manufacturers and clinicians submit new information. This page is for educational purposes only, is not medical advice, and should not be used to self-switch between adenosine and theophylline - always consult your physician or pharmacist first.
Important: This comparison is for informational purposes only. Drug effects vary between individuals. Always consult your doctor or pharmacist for personalized medical advice.