Dopamine Hydrochloride, Injection DOH-pa-meen hy-droh-KLOR-ide

What are other names for this medicine?

Type of medicine: adrenergic agonist (increases cardiac output)

Generic and brand names: dopamine hydrochloride, injection; Dopamine Hydrochloride in 5% Dextrose

What is this medicine used for?

This medicine is given by IV infusion (slow drip through a needle into a large vein). It is used to improve the circulation of your blood and the way your heart pumps. You may need this medicine if you are in shock from:

• heart attack
• septicemia (serious blood infection)
• kidney failure
• heart failure
• trauma (serious injury)
• open 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?

Tell your healthcare provider if you have ever had:

• an allergic reaction to any medicines or to sulfites (preservatives)
• asthma
• circulation problems such as Raynaud’s disease
• diabetes
• pheochromocytoma (a tumor on the adrenal gland)

Females of childbearing age: Tell your healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known whether this medicine will harm an unborn baby. Do not breast-feed while taking this medicine without your healthcare provider's approval.

How do I use it?

The infusion is given by a healthcare provider, usually in a hospital or clinic. You will be closely watched when you are given this medicine. The dosage will be adjusted depending on how the medicine affects you.

What should I watch out for?

Tell your provider right away if you have pain, redness, or swelling at the infusion site.

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 (report these to your healthcare provider right away): Rapid or pounding heartbeat; chest pain; shortness of breath; severe dizziness or fainting; pain, redness, or swelling at the injection site.

Other: Nausea, vomiting, headache, nervousness.

What products might interact with this medicine?

Receiving an infusion of this medicine while you are taking 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:

• alpha blockers such as doxazosin (Cardura) and prazosin (Minipress)
• 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)
• diuretics such as amiloride, bumetanide, chlorothiazide (Diuril), furosemide (Lasix), hydrochlorothiazide (Microzide), spironolactone (Aldactone), torsemide (Demadex), and triamterene (Dyrenium)
• entacapone (Comtan)
• ergot medicines such as ergotamine (Ergomar, Cafergot, Wigraine) and methylergonovine (Methergine)
• haloperidol (Haldol)
• 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.)
• phenothiazines such as chlorpromazine, prochlorperazine (Compro), perphenazine, thioridazine, and trifluoperazine
• phenytoin (Dilantin)
• 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.