Note: This document contains side effect information about dobutamine. Some dosage forms listed on this page may not apply to the brand name Dobutrex.
Applies to dobutamine: parenteral concentrate for injection for iv infusion, parenteral injection in 5% dextrose for iv infusion.
Warning
Special Alerts:
A standardized concentration for this drug has been established through Standardize 4 Safety (S4S), a national patient safety initiative to reduce medication errors, especially during transitions of care. The drug is included in a standard concentration list which may apply to an IV or oral compounded liquid formulation. For additional information, see the ASHP website [Web].
Side effects include:
Ectopic heartbeats, increased heart rate, elevations in BP, hypotension, phlebitis, local inflammatory changes.
For Healthcare Professionals
Applies to dobutamine: intravenous solution.
General
The most common adverse reaction was heart rate increased by 30 beats per minute or more.[Ref]
Cardiovascular
Very common (10% or more): Heart rate increased by 30 beats per minute (bpm) or more (10%)
Common (1% to 10%): Systolic blood pressure increased by 50 mmHg or more, premature ventricular beats increased, anginal pain, palpitations, blood pressure decreased, ventricular dysrhythmia, dose-dependent ventricular extrasystoles, ventricular frequency increased in patients with atrial fibrillation, vasoconstriction in patients previously treated with beta blockers, supraventricular extrasystoles, ventricular tachycardia
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Ventricular fibrillation
Very rare (less than 0.01%): Bradycardia, myocardial ischemia, myocardial infarction, cardiac arrest, second degree atrioventricular block, coronary vasospasms, hypertensive/hypotensive blood pressure decompensation, intracavitary pressure gradients
Frequency not reported: Systolic blood pressure increased by 10 to 20 mmHg, heart rate increased by 5 to 15 bpm, blood pressure decreased precipitously, pulmonary capillary pressure decreased, pectoral anginal discomfort, stress cardiomyopathy, eosinophilic myocarditis, fatal cardiac rupture[Ref]
Dermatologic
Common (1% to 10%): Exanthema, skin rash
Very rare (less than 0.01%): Petechial bleeding
Frequency not reported: Pruritus of the scalp[Ref]
Local
Common (1% to 10%): Phlebitis, inflammation
Very rare (less than 0.01%): Cutaneous necrosis[Ref]
Hematologic
Common (1% to 10%): Eosinophilia, thrombocyte aggregation inhibited when continuing infusion over a number of days
Frequency not reported: Thrombocytopenia[Ref]
Other
Common (1% to 10%): Nonspecific chest pain, fever
Frequency not reported: Feeling of heat and anxiety[Ref]
Respiratory
Common (1% to 10%): Shortness of breath, bronchospasm[Ref]
Nervous system
Common (1% to 10%): Headache
Frequency not reported: Paresthesia, tremor[Ref]
Genitourinary
Common (1% to 10%): Urgency increased at high doses of infusion
Frequency not reported: Urinary urgency[Ref]
Gastrointestinal
Common (1% to 10%): Nausea[Ref]
Metabolic
Very rare (less than 0.01%): Hypokalemia
Frequency not reported: Serum potassium decreased[Ref]
Immunologic
Frequency not reported: Hypersensitivity[Ref]
Musculoskeletal
Frequency not reported: Myoclonic spasm[Ref]
Psychiatric
Frequency not reported: Restlessness, anxiety[Ref]
