Dopamine injection

What is this medicine?

DOPAMINE (DOH puh meen) is a vasoconstrictor. This medicine is used in a hospital to treat low blood pressure.

How should I use this medicine?

This medicine is for infusion into a vein. It is given by a health care professional in a hospital or clinic setting.

Talk to your pediatrician regarding the use of this medicine in children. While this drug may be prescribed for selected conditions, precautions do apply.

What side effects may I notice from receiving this medicine?

Side effects that you should report to your doctor or health care professional as soon as possible:

• allergic reactions like skin rash, itching or hives, swelling of the face, lips, or tongue

• pain, redness, or irritation at site where injected

• signs and symptoms of a dangerous change in heartbeat or heart rhythm like chest pain; dizziness; fast or irregular heartbeat; palpitations; feeling faint or lightheaded, falls; breathing problems

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report these to your doctor or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):

• anxious

• headache

• nausea, vomiting

What may interact with this medicine?

Do not take this medicine with any of the following medications:

• ergot alkaloids like dihydroergotamine, ergonovine, ergotamine, methylergonovine

• MAOIs like Carbex, Eldepryl, Marplan, Nardil, and Parnate

This medicine may also interact with the following medications:

• certain medicines for blood pressure, heart disease, irregular heart beat

• certain medicines for depression, anxiety, or psychotic disturbances

• haloperidol

• oxytocin

• phenothiazines like chlorpromazine, mesoridazine, prochlorperazine, thioridazine

• phenytoin

What if I miss a dose?

This does not apply.

Where should I keep my medicine?

This drug is given in a hospital or clinic and will not be stored at home.

What should I tell my health care provider before I take this medicine?

They need to know if you have any of these conditions:

• history of irregular heartbeat

• pheochromocytoma

• an unusual or allergic reaction to dopamine, sulfites, corn, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives

• pregnant or trying to get pregnant

• breast-feeding

What should I watch for while using this medicine?

Your condition will be monitored carefully while you are receiving this medicine.