INDICATIONS
- Management of cardiac failure after acute MI
- see Acute myocardial infarction guideline
PREPARATIONS
- Dopamine hydrochloride 40 mg/mL in 5 mL ampoules (200 mg)
- Ampoules must be clear, colourless or pale yellow
- if solution is darker than slightly yellow, or discoloured, do not use
DILUENTS
- Sodium chloride 0.9% or glucose 5%
- Dopamine is inactivated by sodium bicarbonate 5% and alkaline solutions
ADMINISTRATION
- Use dopamine only in critical care and in the coronary care unit
- It is strongly advised to administer dopamine through a central line
- Give dopamine peripherally only on the advice of a consultant
- use a large vein high up in a limb, preferably the arm
- in order to reduce risk of tissue necrosis, administer the 2 mg/mL solution only
- Inspect infusion site regularly for signs of irritation or vasoconstriction
- extravasation may cause local vasoconstriction leading to tissue necrosis/sloughing
Preparing 2 mg/mL solution
- Preferable for infusion via a peripheral vein
- Take 2.5 mL (100 mg) of dopamine hydrochloride solution and make up to 50 mL with diluent (see Diluents) in a 50 mL syringe
- the diluted solution is stable for 24 hr
- Concentration = 100 mg in 50 mL = 2 mg/mL (2000 mcg/mL)
Preparing 4 mg/mL solution
- infuse via a central line only
- Take 5 mL (200 mg) of dopamine hydrochloride solution and make up to 50 mL with diluent (see Diluents) in a 50 mL syringe
- the diluted solution is stable for 24 hr
- Concentration = 200 mg in 50 mL = 4 mg/mL (4000 mcg/mL)
DOSAGE
- An IV syringe infusion pump is essential for controlling infusion rate
Starting dose
- If patient has been treated with an MAOI (e.g. linezolid, isoniazid, phenelzine, isocarboxazid – see BNF) within the last 2 weeks, start with 0.2 mcg/kg/min
- MAOIs potentiate effects of dopamine and its duration of action
- Otherwise start with 2 mcg/kg/min by continuous IV infusion via as large a vein as possible
- if patients taking MAO-B inhibitors e.g. rasagiline, or standard doses of selegiline, do not reduce dose of dopamine
Rate change
- Monitor heart rate and rhythm, BP, cardiac output (if possible), and urine output
- if no response, seek advice of cardiology before increasing dose further
- Increase up to 10 mcg/kg/min if required
- dopamine given at rates >5 microgram/kg/min causes vasoconstriction, which can reduce renal perfusion and worsen heart failure
50mL syringe of 2 mg/mL solution
Pump rate for selected dose
Weight (kg)
Dose selected (mcg/kg/min, less than 10):
50mL syringe of 4 mg/mL solution
- Give ONLY through a central line
Pump rate for selected dose
Weight (kg)
Dose selected (mcg/kg/min, less than 10):
WITHDRAWAL
- Withdraw dopamine gradually, monitoring for hypotension
© 2022 The Bedside Clinical Guidelines Partnership.
Created by University Hospital North Midlands and Keele University School of Computing and Mathematics.
Research and development team: James Mitchell, Ed de Quincey, Charles Pantin, Naveed Mustfa