Dobutamine Hydrochloride, Injection doh-BYOO-ta-meen hy-droh-KLOR-ide

What are other names for this medicine?

Type of medicine: adrenergic agonist

Generic and brand names: dobutamine hydrochloride, injection

What is this medicine used for?

This medicine is given by IV infusions (slow drip into a large vein) to help the heart pump better. You may need this treatment because of heart disease or because you have had heart surgery. It may be used for other conditions as determined by your healthcare provider.

What should my healthcare provider know before I take this medicine?

Before taking this medicine, tell your healthcare provider if you have ever had:

• an allergic reaction to any medicine or to sulfites (preservatives)
• asthma
• heart valve problems
• high blood pressure

Females of childbearing age: Tell your healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Do not breast-feed while receiving this medicine without your healthcare provider's approval.

How do I use it?

These infusions are given by your healthcare provider, usually in a hospital or other medical facility.

What should I watch out for?

You will be closely watched when you are given this medicine. The dosage will be adjusted depending on how the medicine affects you.

You may need to have lab tests regularly to see how this medicine affects you. Keep all appointments for these tests.

If you need emergency care, surgery, or dental work, tell the healthcare provider or dentist you have received this medicine.

What are the possible side effects?

Along with its needed effects, your medicine may cause some unwanted side effects. Some side effects may be very serious. Some side effects may go away as your body adjusts to the medicine. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effects that continue or get worse.

Life-threatening (Report these to your healthcare provider right away. If you cannot reach your healthcare provider right away, get emergency medical care or call 911 for help): Allergic reaction (hives; itching; rash; trouble breathing; tightness in your chest; swelling of your lips, tongue, and throat).

Serious: Changes in blood pressure or heart rate, which will be monitored by your healthcare provider; chest pain; shortness of breath; irregular heartbeat; fainting; swelling of lower legs and ankles; unexplained fever.

Other: Irritation at injection site, nausea, vomiting, headache.

What products might interact with this medicine?

Receiving this medicine while you are taking or receiving shots of other medicines can change the way this or any of the other medicines work. Also, using these medicines together might cause harmful side effects. Talk to your healthcare provider if you are taking any of these medicines:

• beta blockers such as acebutolol (Sectral), atenolol (Tenormin), carvedilol (Coreg), labetalol (Trandate), metoprolol (Lopressor, Toprol XL), nadolol (Corgard), pindolol, propranolol (Inderal LA), and sotalol (Betapace)
• entacapone (Comtan)
• ergot medicines such as ergotamine (Ergomar, Cafergot, Wigraine), and methylergonovine (Methergine)
• MAO inhibitor antidepressants such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam), and tranylcypromine (Parnate) (Do not take this medicine and an MAO inhibitor within 14 days of each other.)
• tricyclic antidepressants such as amitriptyline, desipramine (Norpramin), doxepin, imipramine (Tofranil), and nortriptyline (Pamelor)

If you are not sure if your medicines might interact, ask your pharmacist or healthcare provider. Keep a list of all your medicines with you. List all the prescription medicines, nonprescription medicines, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins that you take. Be sure that you tell all healthcare providers who treat you about all the products you are taking.

This advisory includes selected information only and may not include all side effects of this medicine or interactions with other medicines. Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for more information or if you have any questions.

Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.

Do not share medicines with other people.