Dopamine (Intropin)

Category:

  • Nervous system

Description:

  • Vasopressor; sympathomimetic

Indications:

  • Correction of hemodynamic inbalances in shock syndromes (eg. MI, trauma, septicemia, renal failure, CHF)

Contraindications:

  • Pheochromocytoma, uncorrected tachydysrhythmia or ventricular fibrillation

Precautions:

  • Pregnancy category C; no data regarding breast feeding

  • Hypovolemia, arterial embolism, occlusive vascular disease

  • Abrupt discontinuation, sulfite sensitivity, concurrent MAOI use

Adverse Reactions (Side Effects):

  • CNS: headache

  • CV: aberrant conduction, anginal pain, bradycardia, ectopic beats, hypertension, palpitation, tachycardia, vasoconstriction, widened QRS complex

  • GI: nausea, vomiting

  • GU: azotemia

  • SKIN: gangrene (high doses for prolonged periods of time), necrosis, piloerection, tissue sloughing with extravasation

Dosage:

Administered intravenously

  • Adult and Child: 

    • IV INF 1-20 mcg/kg/min, titrated to desired response

    • do not exceed 50 mcg/kg/min

Special Consideration:

  •  Dilute before use if not prediluted

  •  Antidote for extravasation: 

    • infiltrate area as soon as possible with 10-15 ml NS containing 5-10mg phentolamine

Source: Operational Medicine 2001,  Health Care in Military Settings, NAVMED P-5139, May 1, 2001, Bureau of Medicine and Surgery, Department of the Navy, 2300 E Street NW, Washington, D.C., 20372-5300  

Gynecology and Obstetrics CD-ROM
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2004 Edition
 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins
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