dopamine

Action and Spectrum

Actions and Spectrum: 

Actions: 

Dopamine is released from hypothalamus generated by adrenal gland enables communication and synchronizes messages between brain and body which controls hormones. 

Spectrum: 

This drug could keep emotions in control, movements, memory, insulin, blood vessel function, and immune system activity, thereby acts as “fight-or-flight” response. 

Drug Interaction

Adverse Reaction

Frequency Not Defined 

Ventricular arrhythmia 

atrial fibrillation 

palpitation 

hypotension 

hypertension 

vasoconstriction 

Dyspnea 

Nausea 

vomiting 

Azotemia 

Headache, anxiety 

Piloerection 

Black Box Warning

Black Box Warning: 

This drug shows serious adverse events with MAOI’s. 

Contraindication / Caution

Contraindication/Caution: 

Contraindications 

• Pheochromocytoma 

Cautions 

• Renal impairment 
• Heart rhythm disorder 
• Metabolic acidosis 
• Asthma 
• Blood clot 
• Allergy 
• Liver disease 
• Raynaud’s syndrome 
• Buerger’s disease 
• Pregnancy and Breastfeeding 

Pregnancy / Lactation

Pregnancy warnings: 

Pregnancy Category: C 

Breastfeeding warnings: 

The release of the drug into the human breastmilk is unknown 

Pregnancy Categories: 

• Category A: Satisfactory and well-controlled studies show no risk to the fetus in the first trimester or the later trimester 
• Category B: No evidence shown of risk to the fetus found in animal reproduction studies, and there are not enough studies on pregnant women 
• Category C: Adverse effects on the fetus found with evidence in animal reproduction studies and no adequate evidence for a result in humans must take care of potential risks in pregnant women 
• Category D: There is adequate data available with sufficient evidence of human fetal risk from various platforms, but despite the potential risk, and used only in emergency cases for potential benefits 
• Category X: Drugs listed in this category outweigh risks over benefits. Hence these categories of drugs need to be avoided by pregnant women 
• Category N: There is no data available for the drug under this category 

Pharmacology

Pharmacology: 

Pharmacodynamics: 

Dopamine influences body functions by attaching to D1 receptors which raise cAMP levels and D2-like receptors. It stimulates adenylate cyclase and activates beta-1 adrenergic receptors to improve heart function and vasodilation through D1 receptors. 

Pharmacokinetics: 

Absorption 

Rapid absorption 

Metabolism 

Biotransformation results into HVA and DOPAC 

Elimination and Excretion 

The half-life is 2 minutes 

The drug (HVA) is excreted 80 % in urine. 

Adminstartion

Administration: 

Administered through an intravenous (IV) injection. 

Patient Information Leaflet

Patient Information Leaflet 

Generic Name: dopamine 

Pronunciation: DOE-pa-meen 

Why do we use dopamine? 

Dopamine belongs to the class Catecholamines, Inotropic agents, Vasopressors used to treat heart attack, trauma, surgery, myocardial infarction, and renal failure.