DRUG STUDY

Generic Name
Brand Name
Classifications

Prescribed and
Recommended
Dosage,
Frequency, and
route of Administration

Generic Name
Dopamine HCl

Dosage
2-5 mcg/kg/min IV

Trade Name
Intropin

Availability
Injection: 40, 80,160 mg/mL

PharmacologicClass
Alpha-adrenergic antagonist

Injection in 5%dextrose:
80, 160,320 mg/100 mL

Beta1selectiveadrenergicantagonis
t
TherapeuticClass
Dopaminergic drug
Sympatho-mimetic
Pregnancycategory
C

Mechanism of
Action

Indication

Contraindication

Adverse Reaction

Nursing
Responsibilities

Drug acts directly and

by the release of
norepinephrine from
sympathetic nerve
terminals;
dopaminergic
receptors mediate
dilation of vessels in
the renal and
splanchnic beds,
which maintains renal
perfusion and function;
alpha receptors, which
are activated by
higher doses of
dopamine, mediate
vasoconstriction,
which can override the
vasodilating effects;
beta1
receptors mediate a
positive inotropic effect
on the heart.

- Correction
of hemodynamic
imbalances present in
the shock syndrome
due to MI,
trauma, endotoxin
septicemia, open heart
surgery, renal failure,
and chronic cardiac
decompensation in
heart failure

Concentrations
- Pheochromocytoma
- Tachyarrhythmia
- Ventricular fibrillation
- Hypovolemia
- General anesthesia with
halogenated
hydrocarbons
or cyclopropane, which
sensitize the myocardium
with catecholamines

CNS:
Headache, anxiety

1. Assess for
contraindications

CV:
Ectopic beats,
tachycardia, anginal
pain, palpitations,
hypotension,
vasoconstriction,
dyspnea, bradycardia,
hypertension, widened
QRS

- Poor perfusion of vital

organs

Precaution
-Atherosclerosis
- Arterial embolism
- Raynaud's disease
- Cold injury
- Frostbite
- Diabetic endarteritis
- Buerger's disease
- Pregnancy
- Lactation

2. Assess body
weight, skin color/S,
urine output, serum
electrolytes, Hct,
ECG. Exercise
extreme caution in
calculating and
preparing doses;
dopamine is very
potent.- Use in acute
emergency
situations

- Low cardiac outputHypotension

- Unlabeled Uses:
COPD, heart failure,
RDS in infants

GI:
Nausea, vomiting
Other:
Piloerection, azotemia,
gangrene with
prolonged use

3.Observe the 15
rights of drug
administration.
4.Reduce initial
dosage to one-tenth of
usual dose in patients
who have been on
MAOIs.5.Administer into large
veins of the antecubital
fossa in preference to
veins in hand or

ankle.- To prevent
sloughing and necrosis
after extravasation,
infiltrate area with 1015 mL saline
containing 5-10 mg
phentolamine.
6. Do ASAP.- Monitor
urine flow, cardiac
output, and BP closely
during infusion.
7. Monitor client for at
least 30minutes.8. Educate client on
the side effects of the
medication and what to
expect
9. Instruct client to
report pain at injection
site.
10. Dispose of used
materials properly.
Document that drug
has been given.