Drug reference
dopamine
For healthcare professionals — reference only. This page is a brief summary, not medical advice and not a substitute for official labeling or clinical judgement. Always verify before prescribing or dispensing.
Drug class
Cardiovascular (Inotropics)
Mechanism of action
Low dose stimulates mainly dopaminergic receptors, producing renal and mesenteric vasodilation; higher dose stimulates both beta1-adrenergic and dopaminergic receptors, producing cardiac stimulation and renal vasodilation; large dose stimulates alpha-adrenergic receptors
Common side effects
- Headache
- Dyspnea
- Ventricular arrhythmia
- Azotemia
- Anginal pain
- Tachycardia
Boxed warnings
- May cause peripheral ischemia in patients with history of occlusive vascular disease If ischemia occurs, prevent sloughing and necrosis in ischemic areas by infiltrating areas as soon as possible with 5-10 mg of phentolamine (adrenergic blocking agent) in 10-15 mL of saline solution
Contraindications
- Hypersensitivity to dopamine, pheochromocytoma, ventricular fibrillation, uncorrected tachyarrhythmias
Known interactions (24)
- dopamine + ergotamine Major
- dopamine + isocarboxazid Major
- dopamine + linezolid Major
- dopamine + phenelzine Major
- dopamine + selegiline Major
- dopamine + tranylcypromine Major
- aripiprazole + dopamine Moderate
- cabergoline + dopamine Moderate
- chlorpromazine + dopamine Moderate
- clozapine + dopamine Moderate
- dopamine + fluphenazine Moderate
- dopamine + haloperidol Moderate
- dopamine + loxapine Moderate
- dopamine + lurasidone Moderate
- dopamine + metoclopramide Moderate
- dopamine + olanzapine Moderate
- dopamine + paliperidone Moderate
- dopamine + perphenazine Moderate
- dopamine + pimozide Moderate
- dopamine + prochlorperazine Moderate
- dopamine + quetiapine Moderate
- dopamine + risperidone Moderate
- dopamine + thioridazine Moderate
- dopamine + ziprasidone Moderate
Related conditions
Frequently asked questions
What drug class is dopamine?
dopamine belongs to: Cardiovascular.
How does dopamine work?
Low dose stimulates mainly dopaminergic receptors, producing renal and mesenteric vasodilation; higher dose stimulates both beta1-adrenergic and dopaminergic receptors, producing cardiac stimulation and renal vasodilation; large dose stimulates alpha-adrenergic receptors
What are the common side effects of dopamine?
Headache, Dyspnea, Ventricular arrhythmia, Azotemia, Anginal pain, Tachycardia
Which drugs interact with dopamine?
ergotamine, isocarboxazid, linezolid, phenelzine, selegiline, tranylcypromine, aripiprazole, cabergoline, chlorpromazine, clozapine, fluphenazine, haloperidol, loxapine, lurasidone, metoclopramide
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