Dopamine
Symptomatic bradycardia, Cardiogenic shock, Septic shock (second-line)
Indications
- Symptomatic bradycardia
- Cardiogenic shock
- Septic shock (second-line)
Adult dosing
- low dose: dose: 2; maxDose: 5; unit: mcg/kg/min; route: IV; weightBased: true; titrationTarget: Titrate to MAP ≥65; moderate dose: dose: 5; maxDose: 10; unit: mcg/kg/min; route: IV; weightBased: true; titrationTarget: Titrate to MAP ≥65; high dose: dose: 10; maxDose: 20; unit: mcg/kg/min; route: IV; weightBased: true; titrationTarget: Titrate to MAP ≥65
Pediatric dosing
- drip: dose: 2; maxDose: 20; unit: mcg/kg/min; route: IV; weightBased: true; titrationTarget: Titrate to MAP ≥65
Contraindications
- Pheochromocytoma
- Uncorrected tachyarrhythmias
Clinical pearls
- Low dose (2-5 mcg/kg/min): dopaminergic effects — renal/mesenteric vasodilation
- Moderate dose (5-10): beta-1 effects — increased cardiac output
- High dose (>10): alpha effects — vasoconstriction, increased SVR
- More arrhythmogenic than norepinephrine — not first-line for septic shock
Source and review
- ACLS Guidelines 2020, AHA. Last reviewed: 2024-10-01