Dopamine (Injection)

Introduction:

Dopamine (DOE-pa-meen)

Treats circulation problems caused by heart attack, heart failure, kidney failure, low blood pressure, or surgery.

Brand Name(s):

There may be other brand names for this medicine.

When This Medicine Should Not Be Used:

How to Use This Medicine:

Injectable

• Your doctor will prescribe your exact dose and tell you how often it should be given. This medicine is given through a needle placed in one of your veins.
• A nurse or other trained health professional will give you this medicine.

Drugs and Foods to Avoid:

Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.

• Make sure your doctor knows if you are also using entacapone (Comtan®), ergotamine (Ergomar®), fosphenytoin (Cerebyx®), haloperidol (Haldol®), linezolid (Zyvox®), or phenytoin (Dilantin®).
• Tell your doctor if you also use diuretics or "water pills" (such as furosemide, HCTZ, Hyzaar®), blood pressure medicine (such as atenolol, metoprolol, propranolol, timolol, doxazosin, terazosin, Cozaar®, Hyzaar®, Toprol®), or medicine for depression (such as amitriptyline, nortriptyline, Norpramin®, Vivactil®).

Warnings While Using This Medicine:

• Make sure your doctor knows if you are pregnant or breast feeding, or if you have diabetes, asthma, or allergies. Tell your doctor if you have circulation problems such Raynaud's disease or Buerger's disease.
• Your doctor will need to check your progress at regular visits while you are using this medicine. Be sure to keep all appointments.
• Do not stop using this medicine suddenly without asking your doctor. You may need to slowly decrease your dose before stopping it completely.

Possible Side Effects While Using This Medicine:

Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:

• Chest pain, fast or uneven heartbeats.
• Lightheadedness or fainting.
• Trouble breathing or shallow breathing.
• Weak pulse, slow heartbeats.

If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:

• Headache, anxiety.
• Nausea or vomiting.
• Tingling feeling, goosebumps, or "adrenalin rush."

If you notice other side effects that you think are caused by this medicine, tell your doctor: