4.1. Therapeutic indications

Dopamine is indicated in adults for the correction of haemodynamic imbalance present in:

1) Acute hypotension or shock associated with myocardial infarction, endotoxic septicaemia, trauma and renal failure.

2) As an adjunct after open heart surgery where there is persistent hypotension after correction of hypovolaemia.

3) In chronic cardiac decompensation as in congestive failure.

4.2. Posology and method of administration

Posology

Adults:

Where appropriate, the circulating blood volume must be restored with a suitable plasma expander or whole blood, prior to administration of dopamine hydrochloride.

Begin infusion of dopamine hydrochloride solution at doses of 2.5 microgram/kg/min in patients who are likely to respond to modest increments of heart force and renal perfusion.

In more severe cases, administration may be initiated at a rate of 5 microgram/kg/min and increased gradually in 5- to 10 microgram/kg/min increments up to 20 to 50 microgram/kg/min as needed. If doses in excess of 50 microgram/kg/min are required, it is advisable to check urine output frequently.

Should urinary flow begin to decrease in the absence of hypotension, reduction of dopamine dosage should be considered. It has been found that more than 50% of patients have been satisfactorily maintained on doses less than 20 microgram/kg/min.

In patients who do not respond to these doses, additional increments of dopamine may be given in an effort to achieve adequate blood pressure, urine flow and perfusion generally.

Treatment of all patients requires constant evaluation of therapy in terms of blood volume, augmentation of cardiac contractility, and distribution of peripheral perfusion and urinary output.

Dosage of dopamine should be adjusted according to the patient's response, with particular attention to diminution of established urine flow rate, increasing tachycardia or development of new dysrhythmias as indications for decreasing or temporarily suspending the dosage.

Paediatric population

The safety and efficacy of dopamine in paediatric patients has not been established.

Elderly population

No variation in dosage is suggested for geriatric patients. However, close monitoring is suggested for blood pressure, urine flow and peripheral tissue perfusion.

Method of administration

To be administered by intravenous infusion only after dilution with the appropriate diluents. For instructions on dilution of the medicinal product before administration, see section 6.6.

A suitable metering device is required in the infusion system to control the rate of flow, and this should be adjusted to the optimum patient response and monitored constantly in the light of the individual patient's response.

4.3. Contraindications

• Hypersensitivity to dopamine or any of the excipients listed in section 6.1.

• Phaeochromocytoma or hyperthyroidism

• Uncorrected atrial or ventricular tachyarrhythmias or ventricular fibrillation.

• Cyclopropane and halogenated hydrocarbon anaesthetics.

4.4. Special warnings and precautions for use

Dopamine should not be used in the presence of uncorrected tachyarrhythmias or ventricular fibrillation. Nor should it be used in patients with phaeochromocytoma or hyperthyroidism. Cyclopropane and halogenated hydrocarbon anaesthetics must be avoided.

Monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors

Patients who have been treated with MAO inhibitors prior to dopamine should be given reduced doses; the starting dose should be one tenth (1/10th) of the usual dose.

Potassium-free solutions

Excess administration of potassium-free solutions may result in significant hypokalaemia.

The intravenous administration of these solutions can cause fluid and/or solute overloading resulting in dilution of serum electrolyte concentrations, overhydration, congested states or pulmonary oedema.

Hypovolaemia

Hypovolaemia should be corrected where necessary prior to dopamine infusion. Low doses should be used in shock due to acute myocardial infarction.

Decreased pulse pressure

If a disproportionate rise in diastolic pressure (i.e. a marked decrease in pulse pressure) is observed, the infusion rate should be decreased and the patients observed carefully for further evidence of predominant vasoconstriction activity, unless such an effect is desired.

Occlusive vascular disease

Patients with a history of peripheral vascular disease should be closely monitored for any changes in colour or temperature of the skin of the extremities. If change of skin colour or temperature occurs and is thought to be the result of compromised circulation to the extremities, the benefits of continued dopamine infusion should be weighed against the risk of possible necrosis. These changes may be reversed by decreasing the rate or discontinuing the infusion. IV administration of phentolamine mesylate 5-10 mg may reverse the ischaemia.

Extravasation

Dopamine hydrochloride in 5% dextrose injection should be infused into a large vein whenever possible to prevent the possibility of infiltration of perivascular tissue adjacent to the infusion site. Extravasation may cause necrosis and sloughing of the surrounding tissue. Ischaemia can be reversed by infiltration of the affected area with 10-15 ml of saline containing 5 to 10 mg phentolamine mesylate. A syringe with a fine hypodermic needle should be used to liberally infiltrate the ischaemic area as soon as extravasation is noted.

Diabetes

Dextrose solutions should be used with caution in patients with known subclinical or overt diabetes mellitus.

Laboratory test interferences

Infusion of dopamine suppresses pituitary secretion of thyroid stimulating hormone, and prolactin.

Dopamine should not be added to alkaline diluents (see section 6.2).

Paediatric use

The safety and efficacy of dopamine in paediatric patients has not been established.

Renal and hepatic impairment

As the effect of dopamine on impaired renal and hepatic function is not known, close monitoring is advised.

Hypotension

Dopamine infusion should be withdrawn gradually, to avoid unnecessary hypotension.

Excipient information

This medicine contains less than 1 mmol sodium (23 mg) of sodium, i.e. it is essentially 'sodium-free'.

This medicine contains potassium metabisulfite (E224); in rare cases, it may cause allergic-type reactions and bronchospasm.

Each ampoule contains less than 1 mmol (39 mg) of potassium i.e., essentially 'potassium-free'.

4.5. Interaction with other medicinal products and other forms of interaction

Anaesthetics:

The myocardium is sensitised by the effect of dopamine, cyclopropane or halogenated hydrocarbon anaesthetics, and these should be avoided. This interaction applies both to pressor activity and cardiac beta adrenergic stimulation.

Alpha and Beta Blockers:

The cardiac effects of dopamine are antagonised by β -adrenergic blocking agents such as propranolol and metoprolol, and the peripheral vasoconstriction caused by high doses of dopamine is antagonised by α adrenergic blocking agents. Dopamine induced renal and mesenteric vasodilation is not antagonised by either α or β- adrenergic blocking agents, but, in animals, is antagonised by haloperidol or other butyrophenones, phenothiazines and opiates.

Monoamine Oxidase (MAO) Inhibitors:

MAO inhibitors potentiate the effect of dopamine and its duration of action. Patients who have been treated with MAO inhibitors prior to administration of dopamine will therefore require a substantially reduced dosage. (The starting dose should be reduced to at least 1/10th of the usual dose).

Phenytoin:

Administration of IV phenytoin to patients receiving dopamine has resulted in hypotension and bradycardia; some clinicians recommend that phenytoin be used with extreme caution, if at all, in patients receiving dopamine.

Dopamine may increase the effect of diuretic agents.

The ergot alkaloids should be avoided because of the possibility of excessive vasoconstriction.

Tricyclic antidepressants and guanethidine may potentiate the pressor response to dopamine.

4.6. Fertility, pregnancy and lactation

Pregnancy

Animal studies have shown no evidence of teratogenic effects with dopamine.

However, the effect of dopamine on the human foetus is unknown. Therefore the drug should be used in pregnant women only when the expected benefits outweigh the potential risk to the foetus.

Lactation

It is not known if dopamine is excreted in breast milk, nor is the effect on the infant known.

Fertility

No data available.

4.7. Effects on ability to drive and use machines

Not applicable in view of the indications for use and the short half-life of the drug.

4.8. Undesirable effects

Adverse reactions to dopamine are related to its pharmacological action.

Frequencies are defined as: very common (>1/10), common (>1/100 to <1/10), uncommon (>1/1,000 to <1/100), rare (>1/10,000 to <1/1,000), very rare (<1/10,000), not known (cannot be estimated from the available data).

System Organ Class

Frequency

Adverse reactions

Infections and infestations

Uncommon

Gangrene1

Nervous system disorders

Common

Headache

Eye disorders

Uncommon

Mydriasis

Cardiac disorders

Common

Ectopic heart beats, tachycardia, anginal pain, palpitation.

Uncommon

Aberrant conduction, bradycardia, widened QRS complex, fatal ventricular arrhythmias have been reported on rare occasions.

Not known

Atrial fibrillation

Vascular disorders

Common

Hypotension, vasoconstriction

Uncommon

Hypertension

Respiratory, thoracic and mediastinal disorders

Common

Dyspnoea

Gastrointestinal disorders

Common

Nausea, vomiting

Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders

Uncommon

Piloerection

Renal and urinary disorders

Uncommon

Azotaemia

1 Serious or Life-threatening Reactions: Gangrene of the feet has occurred following doses of 10-14 microgram/kg/min and higher in a few patients with pre-existing vascular disease.

Reporting of suspected adverse reactions

Reporting suspected adverse reactions after authorisation of the medicinal product is important. It allows continued monitoring of the benefit/risk balance of the medicinal product. Healthcare professionals are asked to report any suspected adverse reactions via the Yellow Card Scheme at: www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard or search for MHRA Yellow Card in the Google Play or Apple App Store.

4.9. Overdose

Excessive elevation of blood pressure and vasoconstriction can occur due to the alpha adrenergic actions of dopamine, especially in patients with a history of occlusive vascular disease. If desired, this condition can be rapidly reversed by dose reduction or discontinuing the infusion, since dopamine has a half-life of less than 2 minutes in the body.

Should these measures fail, an infusion of an alpha-adrenergic blocking agent e.g. phentolamine mesylate, should be considered.

Dopamine at the infusion site can cause local vasoconstriction hence the desirability of infusing into a large vein. The resulting ischaemia can be reversed by infiltration of the affected area with 10-15 ml of saline containing 5 mg to 10 mg phentolamine mesylate. A syringe with a fine hypodermic needle should be used to liberally infiltrate the ischaemic area as soon as extravasation is noted.