Cardizem vs. Adenocard

• Are Cardizem and Adenocard the Same Thing?
• What Are Possible Side Effects of Cardizem?
• What Are Possible Side Effects of Adenocard?
• What Is Cardizem?
• What Is Adenocard?
• What Drugs Interact with Cardizem?
• What Drugs Interact with Adenocard?
• How Should Cardizem Be Taken?
• How Should Adenocard Be Taken?

Cardizem (diltiazem hydrochloride) and Adenocard IV (adenosine) are used to treat different types of heart problems.

Cardizem is used to prevent chest pain (angina). Cardizem may help to increase your ability to exercise and decrease how often you may get angina attacks.

Adenocard IV is used to treat paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia (PSVT), including that associated with accessory bypass tracts (Wolff-Parkinson-White Syndrome).

Cardizem is taken orally and Adenocard is administered intravenously.

Cardizem and Adenocard belong to different drug classes. Cardizem is a calcium channel blocker and Adenocard is an antiarrhythmic.

Common side effects of Cardizem include:

• dizziness,
• lightheadedness,
• weakness,
• tired feeling,
• nausea,
• upset stomach,
• flushing (warmth, redness, or tingly feeling),
• sore throat,
• cough,
• stuffy nose, and
• headache.

Tell your doctor if you have unlikely but serious side effects of Cardizem including:

• fainting,
• slow/irregular/pounding/fast heartbeat,
• swelling of ankles or feet,
• shortness of breath,
• unusual tiredness,
• unexplained or sudden weight gain,
• mental/mood changes (such as depression, agitation), or
• unusual dreams.

Common side effects of Adenocard include:

• facial flushing,
• shortness of breath,
• chest pressure,
• chest pain,
• nausea,
• headache,
• sweating,
• palpitations,
• low blood pressure (hypotension),
• hyperventilation,
• head pressure,
• lightheadedness,
• dizziness,
• tingling in arms,
• numbness,
• apprehension,
• blurred vision,
• burning sensation,
• heaviness in arms,
• neck and back pain,
• metallic taste in mouth,
• tightness in throat, and
• pressure in groin.

Cardizem (diltiazem hydrochloride) is a calcium channel blocker used to prevent chest pain (angina). Cardizem may help to increase your ability to exercise and decrease how often you may get angina attacks.

Adenocard IV (adenosine) Injection is an antiarrhythmic drug used to treat paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia (PSVT), including that associated with accessory bypass tracts (Wolff-Parkinson-White Syndrome).

Cardizem may interact with amiodarone, digoxin, atazanavir, cimetidine, quinidine, St. John's wort, azole antifungals, macrolide antibiotics, rifamycins, buspirone, cyclosporine, sirolimus, statins, anti-seizure drugs, benzodiazepines, caffeine, pseudoephedrine, phenylephrine, or other drugs that can raise heart rate. Tell your doctor all medications and supplements you use.

Adenocard IV may interact with digoxin, verapamil, digitalis, caffeine, theophylline, dipyridamole, or carbamazepine. Tell your doctor all medications and supplements you use. During pregnancy, Adenocard IV should be used only if prescribed.

Dosage of Cardizem is individually adjusted. Starting with 30 mg four times daily, before meals and at bedtime, dosage is increased gradually (given in divided doses three or four times daily) at 1- to 2-day intervals until optimum response is obtained. The average optimum dosage range is 180 to 360 mg/day.

The initial adult dose of Adenocard IV is 6 mg given as a rapid intravenous bolus (administered over a 1-2 second period). If the first dose does not result in elimination of the supraventricular tachycardia within 1-2 minutes, 12 mg should be given as a rapid intravenous bolus.