Dobutamine is a medication that is used to improve heart function in people with various types of heart failure. It is also used to improve blood flow in situations where the blood supply to the heart is decreased such as during a heart attack.
Dobutamine works by stimulating the release of norepinephrine a hormone that helps to increase heart rate and force of contraction. It also increases blood flow by relaxing the smooth muscle in the walls of blood vessels.
There is some evidence that dobutamine may increase heart rate in people with heart failure but the evidence is not conclusive. In one study heart rate increased by an average of 7 beats per minute in people who were given dobutamine compared to those who were not given the medication. However the study did not find a statistically significant difference in heart rate between the two groups.
In another study heart rate increased by an average of 11 beats per minute in people who were given dobutamine compared to those who were not given the medication. This difference was statistically significant which means that it is unlikely to have occurred by chance.
Overall the evidence suggests that dobutamine may increase heart rate in people with heart failure but more research is needed to confirm this.
What is dobutamine?
Dobutamine is a medication used to treat heart failure.
How does dobutamine work?
Dobutamine works by increasing the heart’s output of blood.
What are the side effects of dobutamine?
The most common side effects of dobutamine are palpitation and tachycardia.
Is dobutamine safe?
Yes dobutamine is generally safe when used as directed.
What is the usual dose of dobutamine?
The usual starting dose of dobutamine is 2.
5 mg/min by intravenous infusion.
How long does dobutamine take to work?
Dobutamine typically begins to work within minutes.
How long does dobutamine stay in your system?
Dobutamine has a half-life of about 2-3 hours.
What happens if you miss a dose of dobutamine?
If you miss a dose of dobutamine you should take it as soon as possible.
What happens if you overdose on dobutamine?
If you overdose on dobutamine you may experience serious side effects such as irregular heartbeat seizures and coma.
What should you avoid while taking dobutamine?
You should avoid drinking alcohol while taking dobutamine.
What are the other uses for dobutamine?
Dobutamine may also be used to treat other heart conditions such as low cardiac output and heart block.
What are the possible drug interactions with dobutamine?
Some drugs that may interact with dobutamine include beta blockers calcium channel blockers and digoxin.
What precautions should you take when taking dobutamine?
You should avoid becoming overheated or dehydrated while taking dobutamine.
What are the possible side effects of dobutamine?
The most common side effects of dobutamine are palpitation and tachycardia.
Other possible side effects include headache dizziness anxiety and chest pain.
What are the possible complications of dobutamine?
Some potential complications of dobutamine include arrhythmias hypotension and cardiovascular collapse.
