DOPAMINE HCL (Intropin®)

Question 1

Generic/Trade Name

DOPAMINE HCL

Answer 1

Intropin®

Question 2

Generic/Trade Name

Intropin®

Answer 2

DOPAMINE HCL

Question 3

DOPAMINE HCL (Intropin®)

Drug Classification:

Answer 3

Sympathomimetic

Sympathetic agonist

Catecholamine

Question 4

DOPAMINE HCL (Intropin®)

Mechanism of Action:

Answer 4

• α1 agonist ⇒ peripheral vasoconstriction
• β1 agonist ⇒ positive inotropy (force of contraction)

*The mechanism for this drug is dose-dependent*

Question 5

DOPAMINE HCL (Intropin®)

Pharmacokinetics

Answer 5

• Onset of Action < 5 minutes
• Peak Effects = 5-8 minutes
• Duration of Effect < 10 minutes
• Half-Life = 2 minutes

Question 6

DOPAMINE HCL (Intropin®)

Indications & Contraindications

Answer 6

Indications/Field Use:
• Hemodynamically significant hypotension NOT caused by hypovolemia
• Cardiogenic shock
• Symptomatic bradycardia

Contraindications:
• Hypovolemic shock/situation where fluids have not been administered to maximum capacity
• Patients with pheochromocytoma (tumor of the adrenal gland)
• Tachydysrhythmias and VF

Question 7

DOPAMINE HCL (Intropin®)

Side Effects/Adverse Reactions:

Answer 7

Nervousness, palpitations, headache, N+V, dyspnea

Chest pain, dysrhythmias

Question 8

DOPAMINE HCL (Intropin®)

Adult & Pedi Dose:

Answer 8

2-5μg/kg/min – IV/IO drip – (low dose) causes increased blood flow to mesentery and renal (GUT)

5-10μg/kg/ min – IV/IO drip – (medium dose) stimulates β effects

10-20μg/kg/ min – IV/IO drip – (high dose) stimulates α effects

*Since the dose is weight dependent, the dose for adult and pedi is the same*

Question 9

DOPAMINE HCL (Intropin®)

Precautions:

Answer 9

Must be kept out of direct sunlight

Question 10

DOPAMINE HCL (Intropin®)

Drug-Drug Interactions:

Answer 10

Deactivated by alkaline solutions

MAOI, hypotension with Dilantin (Phenyton - Antiepileptic)