Dopamine Hydrochloride

Generic Details

Generic Name

Dopamine hydrochloride

Other Names

  • Intropin

Drug Class

  • Sympathomimetic

Chemical Formula

C8H11NO2 • HCl

Molecular Weight

189.64 g/mol

Mechanism of Action

  • Dopamine receptor agonist

Indications

  • Shock (cardiogenic, septic, and spinal)
  • Symptomatic bradycardia
  • Acute heart failure
  • Hypotension in certain cardiac disorders
  • Low cardiac output states
  • Neonatal hypotension
  • Distributive shock (e.g., septic shock)

Common Dosage Forms

  • Injection

Typical Dosage

  • 2-5 mcg/kg/min continuous intravenous infusion

Pediatric Dosage

  • Individualized based on patient weight and condition

Geriatric Dosage

  • May require dosage adjustment based on renal function

Side Effects

  • Hypertension
  • Tachycardia
  • Arrhythmias
  • Nausea
  • Headache
  • Dyspnea
  • Angina
  • Extravasation necrosis with tissue sloughing

Contraindications

  • Phaeochromocytoma
  • Uncontrolled tachyarrhythmias
  • Ventricular fibrillation
  • Hypovolemia

Pregnancy Category

  • C - Risk cannot be ruled out

Lactation Safety

  • Compatible with breastfeeding

Drug Interactions

  • Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs)
  • Tricyclic antidepressants
  • General anesthetics
  • Antipsychotic medications

Overdose Symptoms

  • Hypertension
  • Arrhythmias
  • Hallucinations
  • Seizures

Antidote for Overdose

  • Alpha-adrenergic blocking agents (e.g., phentolamine)

Storage Conditions

  • Store at controlled room temperature (20-25°C)

Pharmacokinetics

  • Absorption: Rapidly metabolized in the gut and liver, resulting in low bioavailability
  • Distribution: Rapid distribution to tissues, with preferential uptake by renal, mesenteric, coronary, and cerebral circulations
  • Metabolism: Primarily metabolized by monoamine oxidase (MAO) and catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT)
  • Excretion: Excreted in the urine as metabolites

Precautions

  • Continuous monitoring of blood pressure and heart rate during infusion
  • Avoid extravasation during administration to prevent tissue damage

Warnings

  • Risk of exacerbating arrhythmias in patients with preexisting cardiac conditions
  • Potential for drug interactions with concomitant use of other sympathomimetic agents

Others

  • Must be administered via a central venous line to prevent peripheral vasoconstriction and tissue necrosis