(Optional medication – not required for every BioTel agency)
Indications:
- Cardiogenic shock with systolic blood pressure between 70 mmHg – 90 mmHg
- Symptomatic bradycardia unresponsive to atropine or TCP
Contraindications: Hypovolemic shock
Precautions:
- Start IV in the antecubital fossa to reduce the risk of infiltration
- Continually check IV/IO site for patency and signs/symptoms of infiltration
- Do not mix with sodium bicarbonate
- Flush tubing well between drugs
- Continually monitor ECG, heart rate and blood pressure
Side Effects:
- Tissue necrosis with infiltration
- Hypertension
- Tachycardia
- Arrhythmias
Adult Dose:
2 to 10 mcg/kg/minute - BIOTEL AUTHORIZATION ONLY
- 400 mg dopamine in 250 mL NS (1600 mcg/mL)
- 800 mg dopamine in 500 mL NS (1600 mcg/mL)
Pediatric Dose:
2 to 10 mcg/kg/minute - BIOTEL AUTHORIZATION ONLY
- 400 mg dopamine in 250 mL NS (1600 mcg/mL)
- 800 mg dopamine in 500 mL NS (1600 mcg/mL)
Route: IV or IO – piggyback
Drug Action:
- At low doses, increases perfusion to kidneys and abdominal organs
- At moderate doses, increases force and rate of ventricular contraction
- At high doses, causes peripheral vasoconstriction
Class: Sympathomimetic
Onset: 2 minutes – 4 minutes
Duration: 10 minutes – 15 minutes