Adenosine

Introduction

Written by Sarah Lewis, PharmD
Medically reviewed by Bryson Russell, PharmD, MHSA, MSc
Updated on January 12, 2024

Adenosine (a DEN oh seen) is a generic medication that’s given to treat certain atypical heart rhythms. Adenosine isn’t available in a brand-name version. Adenosine is only given by a doctor or under a doctor’s direct supervision in a hospital.

Read on to learn about adenosine and cost. You’ll also find available coupons and suggestions for ways to save on your prescriptions. If you’d like more information about adenosine, including its uses, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. 

Cost of adenosine

Like other medications, the cost of adenosine can vary. Certain factors may affect its price, such as:

• your insurance plan, if you have coverage
• the cost of your hospital visit

To find out how much adenosine costs, ask your doctor or insurance provider. They may be able to suggest ways to save money on your prescription, including those described in this article. To find out what you’d pay using savings coupons, read the “Coupons for adenosine” section.

Coupons for adenosine

Prescription drug coupons can help you save money by lowering the cost of the drug. Adenosine is only given by a doctor or under a doctor’s direct supervision in a hospital. But the Optum Perks coupons above can provide significant savings on your other prescription costs.

Note: Optum Perks coupons cannot be used with any insurance copays or benefits.

Available app for coupons

To make finding and using these coupons easier, you can download the Optum Perks app. To learn more about this prescription discount app, see this article.

Insurance and other considerations for adenosine

Here’s a list of things to consider about the cost of prescription drugs:

• Insurance coverage. The price of adenosine will be billed through your medical coverage. This is because a doctor or another healthcare professional gives doses of adenosine. The cost of your doses will depend on your specific insurance plan. If you have questions about this process, contact your doctor or your insurance provider.
• Insurance coverage. Even if your policy has prescription drug coverage, the price of adenosine may instead be billed through your medical coverage. This is because a doctor or another healthcare professional gives doses of adenosine. The cost of your doses will depend on your specific insurance plan and whether you receive the doses at your doctor’s clinic or a hospital. If you have questions about this process, contact your doctor or your insurance provider.
• Savings accounts. If you’re eligible for a health savings account (HSA) or a flexible spending account (FSA), you may be able to use funds from these accounts to pay for some or all of the cost of adenosine that isn’t covered by your medical insurance. HSA and FSA plans help people save money by using pretax dollars to pay for eligible healthcare expenses, such as prescription drugs. To learn more about whether you’re eligible for these savings accounts and how to use them, talk with your insurance provider or employer.

If you have questions about any of these considerations, ask your doctor or pharmacist. Or contact your insurance company and talk with a representative.

If you don’t have a health insurance plan, let your doctor know. You can also ask them about ways to obtain health insurance coverage.

Generics vs. brand-names

Adenosine is a generic medication. It’s not available in a brand-name version.

A generic medication is an identical copy of the active ingredient in a brand-name medication. (An active ingredient is what makes a medication work.) Adenosine is based on the brand-name version Adenocard, which is no longer available.

Generics usually cost less than brand-name drugs. And they’re thought to be as safe and effective as the brand-name versions.

Common questions about adenosine and cost

Here are some common questions and answers about adenosine.

How does the cost of adenosine compare with the cost of metoprolol?

Metoprolol is a beta-blocker that comes in an oral form that you swallow and as an injection for hospital use. It’s prescribed for high blood pressure and certain heart problems.

The cost of adenosine and metoprolol injections will depend on your health insurance, if you have it. The government sets hospital payment rates for Medicare and Medicaid. Private medical insurance companies negotiate payment rates with hospitals. The payment rate will be specific to the diagnosis and procedures you have in the hospital. Medications are included in this payment rate.

You can learn more about how the cost of adenosine and metoprolol injections compare by contacting your insurance provider. 

Why are costs different for brand-name drugs vs. generic drugs?

Brand-name drugs can be expensive because of the studies needed to test how safe and effective they are.

Makers of a brand-name drug can sell their drug for up to 20 years without anyone else making their drug. When the patent for a brand-name drug expires, other drugmakers can make and sell generic versions. A generic medication is an identical copy of the active ingredient in a brand-name medication. (An active ingredient is what makes a medication work.)

This competition may help keep costs of generic medications lower. Also, generic medications contain the same active ingredients as brand-name medications, which have already been tested. So, they don’t require the same testing, which can be costly.

If you’d like to know more about the cost differences between brand-name and generic drugs, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

What to ask about adenosine

This article provides cost information related to adenosine. It also offers suggestions for ways to save money on your prescription.

If you have more questions about paying for this medication, ask your doctor. You can also contact your insurance company.

Here’s a list of questions you may want to ask regarding the cost of your medication:

• Is the cost of adenosine included in my hospital billing?
• Are there lower cost drugs that could treat my condition?
• What are my options if I can’t afford my medical bills?

Resources

• Adenosine- adenosine injection, solution. (2023). https://nctr-crs.fda.gov/fdalabel/services/spl/set-ids/a68d1eff-5cbb-4a6e-98e7-0fb6590ce2a0/spl-doc
• Food and Drug Administration. (2024). Orange Book: Approved drug products with therapeutic equivalence evaluations. https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cder/ob/index.cfm 

Disclaimer: Optum Perks has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.