Dopamine

Information from Drugs.com, by Melisa Puckey:

What is dopamine?

Dopamine is a medication form of a substance that occurs naturally in the body. It works by improving the pumping strength of the heart and improves blood flow to the kidneys.

Dopamine injection (Intropin) is used to treat certain conditions that occur when you are in shock, which may be caused by heart attack, trauma, surgery, heart failure, kidney failure, and other serious medical conditions.

Dopamine may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Warnings

Tell your caregivers if you have hardened arteries, circulation problems, diabetes, frostbite, Buergers disease, asthma, sulfite allergy, or a history of blood clots.

Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use, especially if you have used an MAO inhibitor such as furazolidone (Furoxone), isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), rasagiline (Azilect), selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam, Zelapar), or tranylcypromine (Parnate) in the last 21 days.

In an emergency situation it may not be possible to tell your caregivers about your health conditions. Make sure any doctor caring for you afterward knows you have received this medicine.

Before taking this medicine

You should not be treated with dopamine if you have pheochromocytoma (tumor of the adrenal gland).

If possible before you receive dopamine, tell your doctor if you have ever had:

• a heart rhythm disorder;

• coronary artery disease (clogged arteries);

• a blood clot;

• an allergy to any foods or drugs;

• asthma or sulfite allergy;

• metabolic acidosis;

• diabetes;

• circulation problems such as Raynaud's syndrome;

• frostbite;

• Buerger's disease; or

• if you have used an MAO inhibitor in the past 21 days (such as isocarboxazid, linezolid, methylene blue injection, phenelzine, rasagiline, selegiline, tranylcypromine, and others).

In an emergency situation it may not be possible to tell your caregivers if you are pregnant or breast-feeding. Make sure any doctor caring for your pregnancy or your baby knows you have received this medicine.

Related/similar drugs

furosemide, methylprednisolone, dexamethasone, Lasix, hydrocortisone, epinephrine, Medrol

How is dopamine injection given?

Dopamine is injected into a vein through an IV. A healthcare provider will give you this injection.

Tell your caregivers if you feel any burning, pain, or swelling around the IV needle when dopamine injection is injected.

Your breathing, blood pressure, oxygen levels, kidney function, and other vital signs will be watched closely while you are receiving dopamine injection.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Since dopamine injection is given by a healthcare professional in a medical setting, you are not likely to miss a dose.

What happens if I overdose?

Since this medicine is given by a healthcare professional in a medical setting, an overdose is unlikely to occur.

What should I avoid after receiving dopamine?

Follow your doctor's instructions about any restrictions on food, beverages, or activity.

Dopamine side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction to dopamine: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Tell your caregivers at once if you have:

• a light-headed feeling, like you might pass out (even while lying down);

• chest pain;

• fast, slow, or pounding heartbeats;

• shortness of breath;

• cold feeling, numbness, or blue-colored appearance in your hands or feet; or

• darkening or skin changes in your hands or feet.

Common dopamine side effects may include:

• headache;

• feeling anxious;

• nausea, vomiting; or

• chills, goose bumps.

Information from Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th Edition, by Donald C. Plumb:

Dopamine is contraindicated in patients with pheochromocytoma, ventricular fibrillation, and uncorrected tachyarrythmias. It is not a substitute for adequate fluid, electrolyte, or blood product replacement therapy. Dopamine should be used with caution in patients with ischemic heart disease or an occlusive vascular disease. Decrease dose or discontinue drug should clinical signs occur implicating dopamine as the cause of reduced circulation to the extremities or to the heart. The drug should be discontinued or dosage reduced should arrhythmias (PVC's) occur. Cats are unlikely to benefit (and it may be detrimental) from low dose dopamine therapy for oliguric renal failure.

Most frequent adverse effects seen include: nausea and vomiting, ectopic bets, tachycardia, palpitation, hypotension, hypertension, dyspnea, headache, and vasoconstriction. Extravasation injuries with dopamine can be very serious with necrosis and sloughing of surrounded tissue. Patients' IV sites should be routinely monitored. 

There are not sufficient studies to evaluate safety in pregnant animals. It is not known whether or not dopamine is excreted in milk.

Accidental overdosage is manifested by extreme blood pressure elevation. Treatment consists only of temporarily discontinuing therapy, since dopamine's duration of activity is so brief. Should the patient's condition fail to stabilize, phentolamine has been suggested for use.

The following drugs may interact with dopamine: alpha adrenergic blockers, anesthetics, general halogenated hydrocarbons, tricyclic antidepressants, beta blockers, diuretics, monoamine oxidase inhibitors, oxytocic drugs, phenothiazines, vasopressors, vasoconstrictors.