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Quick facts
- How it is given
- intravenous
- Type
- human prescription drug
- RxNorm ID
- 1743941
We do not publish dosing. How much of this medicine to take, how often, and for how long depends on your age, weight, kidney and liver function, other conditions and other medicines. That is a decision for the person who prescribes or dispenses it. Follow the directions on your own pack and ask your pharmacist if anything is unclear.
What it is used to treat
INDICATIONS AND USAGE Dopamine Hydrochloride, USP is indicated for the correction of hemodynamic imbalances present in the shock syndrome due to myocardial infarction, trauma, endotoxic septicemia, open-heart surgery, renal failure, and chronic cardiac decompensation as in congestive failure. Patients most likely to respond adequately to Dopamine Hydrochloride, USP are those in whom physiological parameters, such as urine flow, myocardial function, and blood pressure, have not undergone profound deterioration. Multiclinic trials indicate that the shorter the time interval between onset of signs and symptoms and initiation of therapy with blood volume correction and Dopamine Hydrochloride, USP, the better the prognosis. Where appropriate, blood volume restoration with a suitable plasma expander or whole blood should be accomplished prior to administration of Dopamine Hydrochloride, USP. Poor Perfusion of Vital Organs – Urine flow appears to be one of the better diagnostic signs by which adequacy of vital organ perfusion can be monitored. Nevertheless, the physician should also observe the patient for signs of reversal of confusion or reversal of comatose condition. Loss of pallor, increase in toe temperature, and/or adequacy of nail bed capillary filling may also be used as indices of adequate dosage. Clinical studies have shown that when Dopamine Hydrochloride, USP is administered before urine flow has diminished to levels of approximately 0.3 mL/minute, prognosis is more favorable. Nevertheless, in a number of oliguric or anuric patients, administration of Dopamine Hydrochloride, USP has resulted in an increase in urine flow, which in some cases reached normal levels. Dopamine Hydrochloride, USP may also increase urine flow in patients whose output is within normal limits and thus may be of value in reducing the degree of pre-existing fluid accumulation. It should be noted that at doses above those optimal for the individual patient, urine flow may decrease, necessitating reduction of dosage. Low Cardiac Output – Increased cardiac output is related to dopamine’s direct inotropic effect on the myocardium. […]
About this medicine
DESCRIPTION Dopamine Hydrochloride, USP a sympathomimetic amine vasopressor, is the naturally occurring immediate precursor of norepinephrine. Dopamine Hydrochloride, USP is a white to off-white crystalline powder, which may have a slight odor of hydrochloric acid. It is freely soluble in water and soluble in alcohol. Dopamine Hydrochloride, USP is sensitive to alkalies, iron salts, and oxidizing agents. Chemically it is designated as 4-(2-aminoethyl) pyrocatechol hydrochloride, and its molecular formula is C 8 H 11 NO 2 • HCl. The structural formula is: and the molecular weight is 189.64. Dopamine Hydrochloride Injection, USP is a clear, practically colorless, sterile, pyrogen-free, aqueous solution of Dopamine Hydrochloride, USP for intravenous infusion after dilution. Each milliliter of the 40 mg/mL preparation contains 40 mg of Dopamine Hydrochloride, USP (equivalent to 32.31 mg of dopamine base). Each milliliter of the 80 mg/mL preparation contains 80 mg of Dopamine Hydrochloride, USP (equivalent to 64.62 mg of dopamine base). Each milliliter of both preparations contains the following: Sodium metabisulfite 9 mg added as an antioxidant; citric acid, anhydrous 10 mg; and sodium citrate, dihydrate 5 mg added as a buffer. May contain additional citric acid and/or sodium citrate for pH adjustment. pH is 3.3 (2.5 to 5.0). Dopamine Hydrochloride Injection, USP must be diluted in an appropriate sterile parenteral solution before intravenous administration. (See DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION ) structure
Who should not take it
CONTRAINDICATIONS Dopamine HCl should not be used in patients with pheochromocytoma. Dopamine HCl should not be administered to patients with uncorrected tachyarrhythmias or ventricular fibrillation.
Warnings
WARNINGS Contains sodium metabisulfite, a sulfite that may cause allergic-type reactions including anaphylactic symptoms and life-threatening or less severe asthmatic episodes in certain susceptible people. The overall prevalence of sulfite sensitivity in the general population is unknown and probably low. Sulfite sensitivity is seen more frequently in asthmatic than in nonasthmatic people. Do NOT add dopamine HCl to any alkaline diluent solution since the drug is inactivated in alkaline solution. Patients who have been receiving MAO inhibitors prior to the administration of dopamine HCl will require substantially reduced dosage. See Drug Interactions below.
Reported side effects
ADVERSE REACTIONS The following adverse reactions have been observed, but there are not enough data to support an estimate of their frequency. Cardiovascular System: -ventricular arrhythmia -atrial fibrillation -ectopic beats -tachycardia -anginal pain -palpitation -cardiac conduction abnormalities -widened QRS complex -bradycardia -hypotension -hypertension -vasoconstriction Respiratory System: -dyspnea Gastrointestinal System: -nausea -vomiting Metabolic/Nutritional System: -azotemia Central Nervous System: -headache -anxiety Dermatological System: -piloerection Other: Gangrene of the extremities has occurred when high doses were administered for prolonged periods or in patients with occlusive vascular disease receiving low doses of dopamine HCl. To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Hikma Pharmaceuticals USA Inc. at 1‐877‐233‐2001 or FDA at 1‐800‐FDA‐1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch.
Interactions with other medicines
Drug Interactions 1. Because dopamine is metabolized by monoamine oxidase (MAO), inhibition of this enzyme prolongs and potentiates the effect of dopamine. Patients who have been treated with MAO inhibitors within two to three weeks prior to the administration of dopamine HCl should receive initial doses of dopamine HCl no greater than one-tenth (1/10) of the usual dose. 2. Concurrent administration of dopamine HCl and diuretic agents may produce an additive or potentiating effect on urine flow. 3. Tricyclic antidepressants may potentiate the pressor response to adrenergic agents. 4. Cardiac effects of dopamine are antagonized by beta-adrenergic blocking agents , such as propranolol and metoprolol. The peripheral vasoconstriction caused by high doses of dopamine HCl is antagonized by alpha-adrenergic blocking agents . Dopamine-induced renal and mesenteric vasodilation is not antagonized by either alpha- or beta-adrenergic blocking agents. 5. Haloperidol appears to have strong central antidopaminergic properties. Haloperidol and haloperidol-like drugs suppress the dopaminergic renal and mesenteric vasodilation induced at low rates of dopamine infusion. 6. Cyclopropane or halogenated hydrocarbon anesthetics increase cardiac autonomic irritability and may sensitize the myocardium to the action of certain intravenously administered catecholamines, such as dopamine. This interaction appears to be related both to pressor activity and to beta-adrenergic stimulating properties of these catecholamines and may produce ventricular arrhythmias and hypertension. Therefore, EXTREME CAUTION should be exercised when administering dopamine HCl to patients receiving cyclopropane or halogenated hydrocarbon anesthetics. It has been reported that results of studies in animals indicate that dopamine-induced ventricular arrhythmias during anesthesia can be reversed by propranolol. 7. The concomitant use of vasopressors and some oxytocic drugs may result in severe persistent hypertension. See Labor and Delivery below. 8. Administration of phenytoin to patients receiving dopamine HCl has been reported to lead to hypotension and bradycardia. […]
If too much is taken
OVERDOSAGE In the case of accidental overdosage, as evidenced by excessive elevation of blood pressure, reduce rate of administration or temporarily discontinue dopamine HCl until patient’s condition stabilizes. Since dopamine’s duration of action is quite short, no additional remedial measures are usually necessary. If these measures fail to stabilize the patient’s condition, use of the short-acting alpha-adrenergic blocking agent phentolamine should be considered.
Before you take anything new
Tell your pharmacist or doctor about every medicine you take — including ones bought without a prescription, herbal products and supplements. Interactions are one of the most common avoidable causes of harm from medicines, and a pharmacist can check your full list in a couple of minutes.
This page is built from the openFDA record of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's approved labelling for this product, effective 2 November 2023. Label text has been shortened and reformatted for readability; safety wording has not been altered in meaning. FDA labelling describes products approved in the United States — brand names, strengths, formulations and approved uses may differ in your country. Always read the leaflet that comes with your own pack. PocketsInfo is not affiliated with, and is not endorsed by, the FDA. Retrieved 2026-07-30.