Intropin

Dosage Forms & Strengths

infusion solution, in D5W

• 80mg/100mL
• 160mg/100mL
• 320mg/100mL

injectable solution

• 40mg/mL
• 80mg/mL
• 160mg/mL

Hemodynamic Conditions

Treatment of hypotension, low cardiac output, poor perfusion of vital organs; used to increase mean arterial pressure in septic shock patients who remain hypotensive after adequate volume expansion

1-5 mcg/kg/min IV (low dose): May increase urine output and renal blood flow  

5-15 mcg/kg/min IV (medium dose): May increase renal blood flow, cardiac output, heart rate, and cardiac contractitlity

20-50 mcg/kg/min IV (high dose): May increase blood pressure and stimulate vasoconstriction; may not have a beneficial effect in blood pressure; may increase risk of tachyarrhythmias

May increase infusion by 1-4 mcg/kg/min at 10-30 min intervals until optimum response obtained

Titrate to desired response

Dosing Considerations

Strong beta1-adrenergic, alpha-adrenergic, and dopaminergic effects are based on dosing rate

Beta1 effects: 2-10 mcg/kg/min

Alpha effects: >10 mcg/kg/min

Dopaminergic effects: 0.5-2 mcg/kg/min

Dosage Forms & Strengths

infusion solution, in D5W

• 80mg/100mL
• 160mg/100mL
• 320mg/100mL

injectable solution

• 40mg/mL
• 80mg/mL
• 160mg/mL

Hemodynamic Conditions

Treatment of hypotension

1-5 mcg/kg/min IV, increased to 5-20 mcg/kg/min; not to exceed 50 mcg/kg/min  

Titrate to desired response

Frequency Not Defined

Cardiovascular: Ventricular arrhythmia, atrial fibrillation (at very high doses), ectopic beats, tachycardia, anginal pain, palpitation, cardiac conduction abnormalities, widened QRS complex, bradycardia, hypotension, hypertension, vasoconstriction

Respiratory: Dyspnea

Gastrointestinal: Nausea, vomiting

Metabolic/nutritional: Azotemia

Central nervous system: Headache, anxiety

Endocrine: Piloerection

Ocular: Increased intraocular pressure; dilated pupils

Gangrene of extremities has occurred when high doses were administered for prolonged periods or in patients with occlusive vascular disease receiving low doses of dopamine hydrochloride

Pregnancy category: C

Lactation: Unknown whether drug is excreted into breast milk; use caution

Pregnancy Categories

A:Generally acceptable. Controlled studies in pregnant women show no evidence of fetal risk.

B:May be acceptable. Either animal studies show no risk but human studies not available or animal studies showed minor risks and human studies done and showed no risk.

C:Use with caution if benefits outweigh risks. Animal studies show risk and human studies not available or neither animal nor human studies done.

D:Use in LIFE-THREATENING emergencies when no safer drug available. Positive evidence of human fetal risk.

X:Do not use in pregnancy. Risks involved outweigh potential benefits. Safer alternatives exist.

NA:Information not available.

• Dopamine is prescribed to correct hemodynamic status in patients with shock syndrome due to
  • heart attack (myocardial infarction),
  • trauma,
  • open-heart surgery,
  • renal failure,
  • congestive heart failure, and
  • other causes of shock syndrome.
• This means dopamine may be capable of improving urine flow, blood pressure, blood flow to vital organs, and improving heart function in patients with shock syndrome.

Intropin is part of the drug class:

• Adrenergic and dopaminergic agents

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 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.

If possible before you receive dopamine injection, tell your caregivers if you have pheochromocytoma (tumor of the adrenal gland).

Also 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 before you are treated to tell your caregivers about your health conditions or if you are pregnant or breast feeding. Make sure any doctor caring for you afterward knows that you have received this medication.

If possible before you receive dopamine injection, tell your caregivers if you have pheochromocytoma (tumor of the adrenal gland).

To make sure you can safely receive dopamine injection, tell your caregivers if you have any of these other conditions:

• coronary artery disease (hardened arteries);
• circulation problems such as Raynaud's syndrome;
• a history of blood clots;
• diabetes;
• frostbite;
• Buergers disease;
• asthma;
• sulfite allergy; or
• 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.

FDA pregnancy category C. It is not known whether dopamine injection will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant while using this medication.

It is not known whether dopamine injection passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

In an emergency situation, it may not be possible before you are treated with dopamine injection 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 medication.

Dopamine injection is injected into a vein through an IV. You will receive this injection in a clinic or hospital setting.

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.

To be sure this medication is helping your condition and not causing harmful effects, your blood cells and kidney function may need to be tested often. Do not miss any follow-up visits to your doctor for blood or urine tests.

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

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