Free

E-newsletter

Subscribe to Housecall

Our weekly general interest
e-newsletter keeps you up to date on a wide variety of health topics.

Regadenoson (Intravenous Route)

US Brand Names

Description

Regadenoson injection is used as a pharmacologic stress agent for radionuclide myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) in patients unable to undergo adequate exercise stress.

This medicine is to be given only by or under the direct supervision of a doctor.

Before Using

In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For this medicine, the following should be considered:

Allergies

Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to this medicine or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.

Pediatric

Appropriate studies have not been performed on the relationship of age to the effects of regadenoson injection in the pediatric population. Safety and efficacy have not been established.

Geriatric

Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated geriatric-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of regadenoson injection in the elderly. However, elderly patients are more likely to have low blood pressure, which may require caution in patients receiving regadenoson injection.

Pregnancy

Breastfeeding

There are no adequate studies in women for determining infant risk when using this medication during breastfeeding. Weigh the potential benefits against the potential risks before taking this medication while breastfeeding.

Drug Interactions

Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. Tell your healthcare professional if you are taking any other prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicine.

Other Interactions

Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.

Other Medical Problems

The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of this medicine. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:

• Breathing problems or lung disease (e.g., asthma, bronchoconstriction, COPD) or
• Hypertension (high blood pressure) or
• Hypotension (low blood pressure)—Use with caution. May make these conditions worse.

• Heart block, second or third degree (type of abnormal heart rhythm), without a pacemaker or
• Sinus node dysfunction (type of abnormal heart rhythm), without a pacemaker—Should not be used in patients with these conditions, unless patients have a pacemaker that works.

• Heart or blood vessel disease (e.g., coronary artery stenosis, ischemia, pericarditis) or
• Heart valve disease or
• Hypovolemia (low blood volume)—May increase risk for more serious side effects.

Proper Use

A nurse or other trained health professional will give you this medicine. This medicine is given through a needle placed into one of your veins.

Precautions

It is very important that your doctor check your progress very closely while you are receiving this medicine. This will allow your doctor to see if the medicine is working properly and to decide if you should continue to receive it.

This medicine may cause serious types of allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis. Anaphylaxis can be life-threatening and requires immediate medical attention. Tell your doctor right away if you start having a rash; itching; increased heart rate; lightheadedness or fainting; trouble breathing; trouble swallowing; swelling of your hands, face, mouth, or throat; or chest pain after you receive the medicine.

Make sure your doctor knows if you are using dipyridamole (Persantine®) before you receive this medicine. You may need to stop using dipyridamole for at least 2 days before the test if possible.

Make sure your doctor knows if you are using theophylline (e.g., Theo-24®, Uniphyl®) before you receive this medicine. You may need to stop using theophylline for at least 12 hours before the test.

Do not take anything that contains caffeine for at least 12 hours before you receive this medicine. This includes medicines, foods, and beverages with caffeine, such as coffee, tea, and cola drinks.

Side Effects

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:

• Arm, back, or jaw pain
• Chest pain or discomfort
• Difficult or labored breathing
• Fast or irregular heartbeat
• Nausea
• Shortness of breath
• Sweating
• Tightness in the chest
• Wheezing

Get emergency help immediately if any of the following symptoms of overdose occur:

• Dizziness
• Feeling of warmth
• Increased heart rate
• Redness of the face, neck, arms, and occasionally, upper chest

Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

• Headache

• Change in taste
• Loss of taste
• Stomach soreness or discomfort

Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Copyright © 2013 Thomson Healthcare Inc. All rights reserved. Information is for End User's use only and may not be sold, redistributed or otherwise used for commercial purposes.