Dobutamine (Dobutrex)

Category:

• Nervous system

Description:

• Sympathomimetic

Indications:

• Short-term treatment of adults with cardiac decompensation due to depressed myocardial contractility

Contraindications:

• Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy

• Uncontrolled atrial fibrillation or flutter (unless a digitalis preparation is used prior to starting therapy with dobutamine)

Precautions:

• Pregnancy category C; excreted in breast milk

• Children, hypertension, sulfite sensitivity

Adverse Reactions (Side Effects):

• CNS: anxiety, dizziness, headache, paresthesia

• CV: angina, dysrhythmia, hypertension, palpitations, PVC’s, tachycardia

• GI: heartburn, nausea, vomiting,

• METAB: hypokalemia

• MS: leg cramps

Dosage:

Administered intravenously

• Adult:   

  • IV INF 2.5-15 mcg/kg/min

  • maximum dose 40 mcg/kg/min

Special Consideration:

•  Sodium bicarbonate: alkalinizing substances inactivate dobutamine