Dopamine hydrochloride, a sympathomimetic amine vasopressor, is the naturally occurring immediate precursor of norepinephrine. Dopamine hydrochloride is a white to off-white crystalline powder, which may have a slight odor of hydrochloric acid. It is freely soluble in water and soluble in alcohol. Dopamine HCl is sensitive to alkalies, iron salts, and oxidizing agents. Chemically it is designated as 4-(2-aminoethyl) pyrocatechol hydrochloride, and the structural formula is:

Preparations

Dopamine Hydrochloride Injection is a clear, practically colorless, sterile, pyrogen-free, aqueous solution of dopamine HCl for intravenous infusion after dilution. Each mL contains either 40 mg, 80 mg, or 160 mg of dopamine hydrochloride (equivalent to 32.3 mg, 64.6 mg and 129.2 mg of dopamine base respectively) in water for injection, q.s. Each mL of all preparations contains the following: sodium metabisulfite 9 mg added as an antioxidant; citric acid, anhydrous 10 mg and sodium citrate, dihydrate 5 mg added as a buffer. The pH range (2.5 to 5.0) may be adjusted with additional citric acid and/or sodium citrate.

Uses

Dopamine hydrochloride is a prescription medicine used to treat the symptoms of low blood pressure, low cardiac output and improves blood flow to the kidneys. Dopamine may be used alone or with other medications.

Dopamine hydrochloride belongs to a class of drugs called Inotropic Agents.

Side effects

Dopamine hydrochloride may cause serious side effects including:

lightheadedness,

chest pain,

fast, slow or pounding heartbeats,

shortness of breath,

cold feeling,

numbness,

blue-colored appearance in your hands or feet, and darkening or skin changes in your hands or feet.

Get medical help right away, if you have any of the symptoms listed above.

The most common side effects of Dopamine include:

headache,

anxiety,

nausea,

vomiting,

chills and goose bumps.