Brand Name: Docard

Generic Name: Dopamine HCl

Indications: Hemodynamic imbalances in shock due to MI, trauma, endotoxic
septicemia, open-heart surgery, renal failure & chronic cardiac decompensations
as in congestive failure
Drug Classification: Adrenergic Agonist Agent, Sympathoimetic; Vesicant
Mechanism of Action: Stimulates both adrenergic & dopaminergic receptors, lower
doses are mainly dopaminergic-stimulating and produce renal and mesenteric
vasodilation, higher doses also are both dopaminergic and beta1-adrenergic
stimulating and produce cardiac stimulation and renal vasodilation; large doses
stimulate alpha-adrenergic receptors
Dosage: Amp 40 mg/mL
Special Precautions: Hypovolemia; decreased pulse rate; extravasation;
history of occlusive vascular disease.
Pregnancy Risk Category: C
Adverse Reactions:
 Ectopic beats; nausea, vomiting; tachycardia, anginal pain, palpitation, dyspnea,
headache; hypotension, vasoconstriction.
  Infrequent, aberrant conduction, bradycardia
 Piloerection, widened QRS complex, azotemia, elevated BP.
Contraindications: Pheochromocytoma; uncorrected tachyarrhythmias; ventricular
fibrillation
Form: Infusion, as HCl, in D5W: 0.8 mg/mL (250 mL, 500 mL)
Injection, as HCl: 40 mg/mL ( 5 mL-20mL)
Nursing Responsibilities:
 Monitor blood pressure, pulse, & heart rate
 Monitor urine output
 Assess for blanching
 Monitor pulmonary artery catheter