Formulary
Dopamine hydrochloride: Indications, Dosing, Side Effects and Interactions
Dopamine is a cardiac stimulant which acts on beta 1 receptors in cardiac muscle, and increases contractility with little effect on rate.
MedNext Academy | 3 min read
Dopamine hydrochloride: Indications, Dosing, Side Effects and Interactions
Dopamine is a cardiac stimulant which acts on beta 1 receptors in cardiac muscle, and increases contractility with little effect on rate.
Drug action
Dopamine is a cardiac stimulant which acts on beta 1 receptors in cardiac muscle, and increases contractility with little effect on rate.
Indications and dose
**To correct the haemodynamic imbalance due to acute hypotension, shock, cardiac failure, adjunct following cardiac surgery for dopamine hydrochloride**
- **Neonate** (By continuous intravenous infusion): Initially 3 micrograms/kg/minute, increased if necessary up to 20 micrograms/kg/minute, dose to be adjusted according to response.
- **Child** (By continuous intravenous infusion): Initially 5 micrograms/kg/minute, increased if necessary up to 20 micrograms/kg/minute, dose to be adjusted according to response.
Cautions
Correct hypovolaemia; hypertension (may raise blood pressure); hyperthyroidism; low dose in shock due to acute myocardial infarction
Contraindications
Phaeochromocytoma; tachyarrhythmia
Side effects
Frequency not known Angina pectoris; anxiety; arrhythmias; azotaemia; cardiac conduction disorder; dyspnoea; gangrene; headache; hypertension; mydriasis; nausea; palpitations; piloerection; polyuria; tremor; vasoconstriction; vomiting
Interactions
**Other interactions (5):**
- Dopamine induced renal and mesenteric vasodilation is not antagonised by either or - adrenergic blocking agents, but, in animals, is antagonised by haloperidol or other butyrophenones,...
- Monoamine Oxidase (MAO) Inhibitors: MAO inhibitors potentiate the effect of dopamine and its duration of action.
- Phenytoin: Administration of IV phenytoin to patients receiving dopamine has resulted in hypotension and bradycardia; some clinicians recommend that phenytoin be used with extreme caution, if at...
- Dopamine may increase the effect of diuretic agents.
- Tricyclic antidepressants and guanethidine may potentiate the pressor response to dopamine.
Pregnancy
No evidence of harm in animal studies-manufacturer advises use only if potential benefit outweighs risk.
Breast feeding
May suppress lactation-not known to be harmful.
Medicinal forms
Solution
Clinical governance
**Author:** MedNext Clinical Team. **Clinical reviewer:** Dr Shameer Deen, MBBS, MS, MRCS. **Sources:** BNF, Indian Pharmacopoeia, CIMS India. **Correction:** Report errors at support@mednext.academy.
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