Dopamine Hydrochloride
Dopamine Hydrochloride Prescribing Information
Dopamine HCl Injection is indicated to improve hemodynamic status in patients in distributive shock or shock due to reduced cardiac output.
Correct hypovolemia, acidosis, and hypoxia prior to use. (
Address hypovolemia, acidosis, and hypoxia before initiating Dopamine HCl Injection. If patient does not respond to therapy, suspect occult hypovolemia. Acidosis may reduce the effectiveness of dopamine
Preparation
For the 40‑mg/mL preparation, transfer by aseptic technique the contents containing either 5 mL (200 mg) or 10 mL (400 mg) of Dopamine HCl Injection to either a 250‑mL or a 500‑mL bottle of one of the sterile intravenous solutions listed below:
• 0.9% Sodium Chloride Injection, USP• 5% Dextrose Injection, USP• 5% Dextrose and 0.9% Sodium Chloride Injection, USP• 5% Dextrose and 0.45% Sodium Chloride Injection, USP• 5% Dextrose and Lactated Ringer’s Injection• Sodium Lactate Injection, USP 1/6 Molar• Lactated Ringer’s Injection, USP
The resultant dilutions are summarized in the following chart:
Volume of IV solution | Volume of Dopamine Hydrochloride Injection | |
5 mL | 10 mL | |
250 mL | 800 mcg/mL | 1600 mcg/mL |
500 mL | 400 mcg/mL | 800 mcg/mL |
1000 mL | 200 mcg/mL | 400 mcg/mL |
Dopamine HCl Injection has been found to be stable for 24 hours after dilution in the foregoing intravenous solutions.
Dopamine HCl Injection is administered (only after dilution) by intravenous infusion.
Administer Dopamine HCl Injection into a large vein
Inspect Dopamine HCl Injection for particulate matter and discoloration prior to administration whenever solution and container permit (the solution is clear, practically colorless). Do not administer if the solution is darker or discolored.
Use higher concentration solutions (e.g., 3200 mcg/mL or 1600 mcg/mL strengths) in patients requiring fluid restriction.
When discontinuing Dopamine HCl Injection, gradually reduce the infusion rate while expanding blood volume with intravenous fluids
Administer in a large vein with an infusion pump preferably in an intensive care setting. (
Address hypovolemia, acidosis, and hypoxia before initiating Dopamine HCl Injection. If patient does not respond to therapy, suspect occult hypovolemia. Acidosis may reduce the effectiveness of dopamine
Preparation
For the 40‑mg/mL preparation, transfer by aseptic technique the contents containing either 5 mL (200 mg) or 10 mL (400 mg) of Dopamine HCl Injection to either a 250‑mL or a 500‑mL bottle of one of the sterile intravenous solutions listed below:
• 0.9% Sodium Chloride Injection, USP• 5% Dextrose Injection, USP• 5% Dextrose and 0.9% Sodium Chloride Injection, USP• 5% Dextrose and 0.45% Sodium Chloride Injection, USP• 5% Dextrose and Lactated Ringer’s Injection• Sodium Lactate Injection, USP 1/6 Molar• Lactated Ringer’s Injection, USP
The resultant dilutions are summarized in the following chart:
Volume of IV solution | Volume of Dopamine Hydrochloride Injection | |
5 mL | 10 mL | |
250 mL | 800 mcg/mL | 1600 mcg/mL |
500 mL | 400 mcg/mL | 800 mcg/mL |
1000 mL | 200 mcg/mL | 400 mcg/mL |
Dopamine HCl Injection has been found to be stable for 24 hours after dilution in the foregoing intravenous solutions.
Dopamine HCl Injection is administered (only after dilution) by intravenous infusion.
Administer Dopamine HCl Injection into a large vein
Inspect Dopamine HCl Injection for particulate matter and discoloration prior to administration whenever solution and container permit (the solution is clear, practically colorless). Do not administer if the solution is darker or discolored.
Use higher concentration solutions (e.g., 3200 mcg/mL or 1600 mcg/mL strengths) in patients requiring fluid restriction.
When discontinuing Dopamine HCl Injection, gradually reduce the infusion rate while expanding blood volume with intravenous fluids
Recommended starting dosage in adults and pediatric patients is 2 to 5 mcg/kg/minute as a continuous intravenous infusion. Titrate in 5 to 10 mcg/kg/minute increments based on hemodynamic response and tolerability, up to not more than 50 mcg/kg/minute. (
The recommended starting dosage in adults and pediatric patients is 2 to 5 mcg/kg/minute as a continuous intravenous infusion
Infusion rates may be calculated using the following formula:
Example calculations for infusion rates are as follows:
- 800(mcg/mL)
- 1600(mcg/mL)
See the Full Prescribing Information for important preparation instructions and drug incompatibilities. (
Address hypovolemia, acidosis, and hypoxia before initiating Dopamine HCl Injection. If patient does not respond to therapy, suspect occult hypovolemia. Acidosis may reduce the effectiveness of dopamine
Preparation
For the 40‑mg/mL preparation, transfer by aseptic technique the contents containing either 5 mL (200 mg) or 10 mL (400 mg) of Dopamine HCl Injection to either a 250‑mL or a 500‑mL bottle of one of the sterile intravenous solutions listed below:
• 0.9% Sodium Chloride Injection, USP• 5% Dextrose Injection, USP• 5% Dextrose and 0.9% Sodium Chloride Injection, USP• 5% Dextrose and 0.45% Sodium Chloride Injection, USP• 5% Dextrose and Lactated Ringer’s Injection• Sodium Lactate Injection, USP 1/6 Molar• Lactated Ringer’s Injection, USP
The resultant dilutions are summarized in the following chart:
Volume of IV solution | Volume of Dopamine Hydrochloride Injection | |
5 mL | 10 mL | |
250 mL | 800 mcg/mL | 1600 mcg/mL |
500 mL | 400 mcg/mL | 800 mcg/mL |
1000 mL | 200 mcg/mL | 400 mcg/mL |
Dopamine HCl Injection has been found to be stable for 24 hours after dilution in the foregoing intravenous solutions.
Dopamine HCl Injection is administered (only after dilution) by intravenous infusion.
Administer Dopamine HCl Injection into a large vein
Inspect Dopamine HCl Injection for particulate matter and discoloration prior to administration whenever solution and container permit (the solution is clear, practically colorless). Do not administer if the solution is darker or discolored.
Use higher concentration solutions (e.g., 3200 mcg/mL or 1600 mcg/mL strengths) in patients requiring fluid restriction.
When discontinuing Dopamine HCl Injection, gradually reduce the infusion rate while expanding blood volume with intravenous fluids
Dopamine HCl Injection is incompatible with the following products; therefore, avoid simultaneous administration (through the same infusion set):
• Sodium bicarbonate or other alkalinizing substances, because dopamine is inactivated in alkaline solution• Blood, because of the risk of pseudoagglutination of red cells• Iron salts
Do not add additional medications in the diluted infusion solution.
The following strengths of Dopamine HCL, USP, are supplied in single-dose vials (the solution is clear practically colorless):
• 200 mg/5 mL (40 mg/mL)• 400 mg/10 mL (40 mg/mL)
There are no human data with dopamine use in pregnant women. There are risks to the mother and fetus from hypotension associated with shock, which can be fatal if left untreated (
The background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage for the indicated population is unknown. All pregnancies carry some risk of birth defect, loss, or other adverse outcomes. In the U.S. general population, the background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage in clinically recognized pregnancies is 2‑4% and 15‑20%, respectively.
Hypotension associated with distributive shock, or shock due to reduced cardiac output are medical emergencies in pregnancy which can be fatal if left untreated. Delaying treatment in pregnant women with hypotension associated with distributive shock, or shock due to reduced cardiac output may increase the risk of maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality. Life-sustaining therapy for the pregnant woman should not be withheld due to potential concerns regarding the effects of dopamine on the fetus.
Vasopressor drugs, including dopamine, may cause severe maternal hypertension when used concomitantly with some oxytocic drugs
See Table 1 for clinically significant drug interactions with dopamine.
Halogenated Anesthetics | |
Clinical Impact: | Concomitant use may increase cardiac autonomic irritability and can sensitize the myocardium to the action of dopamine which may lead to ventricular arrhythmias and hypertension. |
Intervention: | Monitor cardiac rhythm. |
Examples: | desflurane, enflurane, isoflurane, and sevoflurane. |
MAO Inhibitors | |
Clinical Impact: | Because dopamine is metabolized by monoamine oxidase (MAO), inhibition of this enzyme prolongs and potentiates the effect of dopamine which may result in severe hypertension and cardiac arrhythmia. |
Intervention: | Reduce the recommended starting dosage to no greater than one‑tenth (1/10) of the recommended dose in patients who have been treated with MAO inhibitors within two to three weeks prior to the administration of Dopamine HCl Injection. |
Examples: | isocarboxazid, phenelzine, tranylcypromine, rasagiline, selegiline, linezolid. |
Tricyclic Antidepressants | |
Clinical Impact: | Concomitant use may potentiate the cardiovascular effects of dopamine (e.g., hypertension). |
Intervention: | Monitor blood pressure. |
Examples: | amitriptyline, desipramine, doxepin, imipramine, nortriptyline. |
| |
Clinical Impact: | Concomitant use may result in severe hypertension. |
Intervention: | Monitor blood pressure. |
Examples: | norepinephrine, epinephrine, oxytocin. |
• Halogenated anesthetics: Can sensitize the myocardium to the effects of dopamine and can produce ventricular arrhythmias and hypertension.• MAO inhibitors: Risk of severe hypertension. Reduce recommended Dopamine HCl Injection dosage.• Tricyclic antidepressants: Risk of hypertension. Monitor blood pressure.• Vasopressors: Risk of severe hypertension. Monitor blood pressure.
Animal reproduction studies in rats and rabbits at dopamine HCl dosages up to 6 mg/kg/day intravenously (on a mcg/m2 basis, one third and two thirds, respectively, the human starting dosage of 2 mcg/kg/minute) during organogenesis produced no detectable teratogenic or embryotoxic effects, although maternal toxicity consisting of mortalities, decreased body weight gain, and pharmacotoxic signs were observed in rats. In a published study, administration of 10 mg/kg/day dopamine HCl (on a mcg/m2 basis, two-thirds the human starting dosage of 2 mcg/kg/minute) to pregnant rats throughout gestation or for 5 days starting on gestation day 10 or 15 resulted in decreased body weight gain, increased mortality, and slight increase in cataract formation among the offspring.
Dopamine is contraindicated in patients with pheochromocytoma.
• Tissue ischemia: Severe peripheral and visceral vasoconstriction can occur. Address hypovolemia prior to use, monitor extremities, and infuse into large vein. ()5.1 Tissue IschemiaAdministration of dopamine to patients who are hypotensive from hypovolemia can result in severe peripheral and visceral vasoconstriction, decreased renal perfusion and hypouresis, tissue hypoxia, lactic acidosis, and poor systemic blood flow despite “normal” blood pressure. Address hypovolemia prior to initiating Dopamine HCl Injection
[seeDosage and Administration (2.2)].Gangrene of the extremities has occurred in patients with occlusive vascular disease or who received prolonged or high dose infusions. Monitor for changes to the skin of the extremities in susceptible patients.
Extravasation of Dopamine HCl Injection may cause necrosis and sloughing of surrounding tissue. To reduce the risk of extravasation, infuse into a large vein
[see Dosage and Administration (2.1)], check the infusion site frequently for free flow, and monitor for signs of extravasation.Emergency Treatment of ExtravasationTo prevent sloughing and necrosis in areas in which extravasation has occurred, infiltrate the ischemic area as soon as possible, using a syringe with a fine hypodermic needle with:
• 5 to 10 mg of phentolamine mesylate in 10 to 15 mL of 0.9% Sodium Chloride Injection in adults• 0.1 to 0.2 mg/kg of phentolamine mesylate up to a maximum of 10 mg per dose in pediatric patients.
Sympathetic blockade with phentolamine causes immediate and conspicuous local hyperemic changes if the area is infiltrated within 12 hours.
• Cardiac arrhythmias: Monitor closely. ()5.2 Cardiac ArrhythmiasDopamine may cause arrhythmias. Monitor patients with arrhythmias and treat appropriately.
• Hypotension after abrupt discontinuation: Gradually reduce infusion rate while expanding blood volume with intravenous fluids. ()5.3 Hypotension after Abrupt DiscontinuationSudden cessation of the infusion may result in marked hypotension. Gradually reduce the infusion rate while expanding blood volume with intravenous fluids.
• Severe hypersensitivity reactions due to sodium metabisulfite excipient: May cause anaphylaxis including life‑threatening or less severe asthmatic episodes in susceptible individuals. ()5.4 Severe Hypersensitivity Reactions due to Sodium Metabisulfite ExcipientDopamine HCl Injection 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.