Dobutrex

Yes

• Dobutamine is prescribed to help increase cardiac output in a failing heart due to heart disease or cardiac surgery.

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Dobutrex is a prescription medication used to improve heart function.

Dobutrex belongs to a group of drugs called synthetic catecholamines or inotropic agents. These help the heart pump better by strengthening the heart muscle. Dobutrex also improves blood flow and relieves symptoms of heart failure.

This medication is available in an injectable form to be given directly into a vein (IV) by a healthcare professional.

Common side effects of Dobutrex include increased heart rate, blood pressure changes, and pain at the injection site.

Brand name Dobutrex is no longer available in the United States. Generic products are available.

Dobutrex is a prescription medication used to improve heart function.

This medication may be prescribed for other uses. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Before taking Dobutrex, tell your doctor about all of your medical conditions. Especially tell your doctor if you:

• are allergic to Dobutrex or to any of its ingredients
• have or have heart valve disease
• have high blood pressure
• are pregnant or breastfeeding

Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.

Receive Dobutrex exactly as prescribed.

This medication is available in an injectable form to be given directly into a vein (IV) by a healthcare professional. It must be diluted before administration.

Do not stop the infusion on your own for any reason and do not change your dosing schedule without talking to your health care provider. Heart activity and blood pressure should be monitored continuously during administration of Dobutrex.

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

Tell your caregiver right away if you have:

• shortness of breath (even with mild exertion), swelling, rapid weight gain;

• chest pain, fast or pounding heartbeats;

• a light-headed feeling, like you might pass out;

• wheezing, chest tightness;

• dangerously high blood pressure-severe headache, blurred vision, buzzing in your ears, anxiety, confusion, uneven heartbeats, seizure; or

• signs of infection in your catheter--pain, swelling, warmth, redness, oozing, or skin changes where the medicine is injected.

Common side effects may include:

• nausea, vomiting;

• fever, tingly feeling;

• headache; or

• leg cramps.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Other drugs may interact with dobutamine, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Tell each of your health care providers about all medicines you use now and any medicine you start or stop using.