Dopamine use: Dopamine: Uses, Interactions, Mechanism of Action
What It Is & What It Does
Written by Hope Cristol
- What Is Dopamine?
- Dopamine Basics
- Role in Mental Health
- Dopamine in Other Diseases
- Dopamine Can Save Lives
Dopamine is a type of neurotransmitter. Your body makes it, and your nervous system uses it to send messages between nerve cells. That’s why it’s sometimes called a chemical messenger.
Dopamine plays a role in how we feel pleasure. It’s a big part of our unique human ability to think and plan. It helps us strive, focus, and find things interesting.
Your body spreads it along four major pathways in the brain. Like most other systems in the body, you don’t notice it (or maybe even know about it) until there’s a problem.
Too much or too little of it can lead to a vast range of health issues. Some are serious, like Parkinson’s disease. Others are much less dire.
It’s made in the brain through a two-step process. First, it changes the amino acid tyrosine to a substance called dopa, and then into dopamine.
It affects many parts of your behavior and physical functions, such as:
- Learning
- Motivation
- Heart rate
- Blood vessel function
- Kidney function
- Lactation
- Sleep
- Mood
- Attention
- Control of nausea and vomiting
- Pain processing
- Movement
It’s hard to pinpoint a single cause of most mental health disorders and challenges. But they’re often linked to too much or too little dopamine in different parts of the brain. Examples include:
Schizophrenia. Decades ago, researchers believed that symptoms stemmed from a hyperactive dopamine system. Now we know that some are due to too much of this chemical in certain parts of the brain. This includes hallucinations and delusions. A lack of it in other parts can cause different signs, such as lack of motivation and desire.
ADHD. No one knows for sure what causes attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
Some research shows it may be due to a shortage of dopamine. This problem may be due to your genes. The ADHD drug methylphenidate (Ritalin) works by boosting dopamine.
Drug misuse and addiction. Drugs such as cocaine can cause a big, fast increase of dopamine in your brain. That satisfies your natural reward system in a big way. But repeated drug use also raises the threshold for this kind of pleasure. This means you need to take more to get the same high. Meanwhile, drugs make your body less able to produce dopamine naturally. This leads to emotional lows when you’re sober.
It also plays a role in diseases that aren’t related to mental health. One of these is Parkinson’s disease. Another is obesity, which the American Medical Association classified as a disease in 2013.
Parkinson’s disease. Dopamine enables neurons in your brain to communicate and control movement. In Parkinson’s, one type of neuron steadily degenerates. It doesn’t have a signal to send anymore, so your body makes less dopamine.
The chemical imbalance causes physical symptoms. These include tremor, stiffness, slowness of spontaneous movement, poor balance, and poor coordination. Doctors treat these symptoms with medications that raise levels of this chemical.
Obesity. Most of the time, if you take in more calories than you burn, you’ll gain weight. So why can’t obese people simply eat less and slim down? The answer isn’t that simple. They may face obstacles that others don’t. They could have problems with their natural reward systems. This can affect the amount of food they eat before they feel satisfied. Imaging studies suggest that in people with this condition, the body may not release enough dopamine and another feel-good hormone, serotonin.
This chemical usually plays a secondary role in the body, but in certain medical situations, it’s literally a lifesaver. Doctors use prescription dopamine (Inotropin) to treat:
- Low blood pressure
- Poor cardiac output (when the heart doesn’t pump out enough blood)
- Poor blood flow to vital organs
- Some cases of septic shock
There are possible complications with any drug, even if taken under close supervision.
The main ones associated with dopamine include:
- Irregular heartbeat
- Faster heart rate
- Trouble breathing
- Chest pain
- Nausea and vomiting
- Headache
Because many drugs interact with it, it’s important that your doctor knows all the medications you take.
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What It Is & What It Does
Written by Hope Cristol
- What Is Dopamine?
- Dopamine Basics
- Role in Mental Health
- Dopamine in Other Diseases
- Dopamine Can Save Lives
Dopamine is a type of neurotransmitter.
Your body makes it, and your nervous system uses it to send messages between nerve cells. That’s why it’s sometimes called a chemical messenger.
Dopamine plays a role in how we feel pleasure. It’s a big part of our unique human ability to think and plan. It helps us strive, focus, and find things interesting.
Your body spreads it along four major pathways in the brain. Like most other systems in the body, you don’t notice it (or maybe even know about it) until there’s a problem.
Too much or too little of it can lead to a vast range of health issues. Some are serious, like Parkinson’s disease. Others are much less dire.
It’s made in the brain through a two-step process. First, it changes the amino acid tyrosine to a substance called dopa, and then into dopamine.
It affects many parts of your behavior and physical functions, such as:
- Learning
- Motivation
- Heart rate
- Blood vessel function
- Kidney function
- Lactation
- Sleep
- Mood
- Attention
- Control of nausea and vomiting
- Pain processing
- Movement
It’s hard to pinpoint a single cause of most mental health disorders and challenges.
But they’re often linked to too much or too little dopamine in different parts of the brain. Examples include:
Schizophrenia. Decades ago, researchers believed that symptoms stemmed from a hyperactive dopamine system. Now we know that some are due to too much of this chemical in certain parts of the brain. This includes hallucinations and delusions. A lack of it in other parts can cause different signs, such as lack of motivation and desire.
ADHD. No one knows for sure what causes attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Some research shows it may be due to a shortage of dopamine. This problem may be due to your genes. The ADHD drug methylphenidate (Ritalin) works by boosting dopamine.
Drug misuse and addiction. Drugs such as cocaine can cause a big, fast increase of dopamine in your brain. That satisfies your natural reward system in a big way. But repeated drug use also raises the threshold for this kind of pleasure.
This means you need to take more to get the same high. Meanwhile, drugs make your body less able to produce dopamine naturally. This leads to emotional lows when you’re sober.
It also plays a role in diseases that aren’t related to mental health. One of these is Parkinson’s disease. Another is obesity, which the American Medical Association classified as a disease in 2013.
Parkinson’s disease. Dopamine enables neurons in your brain to communicate and control movement. In Parkinson’s, one type of neuron steadily degenerates. It doesn’t have a signal to send anymore, so your body makes less dopamine. The chemical imbalance causes physical symptoms. These include tremor, stiffness, slowness of spontaneous movement, poor balance, and poor coordination. Doctors treat these symptoms with medications that raise levels of this chemical.
Obesity. Most of the time, if you take in more calories than you burn, you’ll gain weight. So why can’t obese people simply eat less and slim down? The answer isn’t that simple.
They may face obstacles that others don’t. They could have problems with their natural reward systems. This can affect the amount of food they eat before they feel satisfied. Imaging studies suggest that in people with this condition, the body may not release enough dopamine and another feel-good hormone, serotonin.
This chemical usually plays a secondary role in the body, but in certain medical situations, it’s literally a lifesaver. Doctors use prescription dopamine (Inotropin) to treat:
- Low blood pressure
- Poor cardiac output (when the heart doesn’t pump out enough blood)
- Poor blood flow to vital organs
- Some cases of septic shock
There are possible complications with any drug, even if taken under close supervision. The main ones associated with dopamine include:
- Irregular heartbeat
- Faster heart rate
- Trouble breathing
- Chest pain
- Nausea and vomiting
- Headache
Because many drugs interact with it, it’s important that your doctor knows all the medications you take.
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💊 The composition of the drug Dopamine ✅ The use of the drug Dopamine Keep for yourself Search for analogues Interaction Description of the active ingredients of the preparation dopamine The scientific information provided is general and cannot be used to make decisions. Update date: 2020.11.07 Marketing authorization holder: BIOCHEMIK JSC ATX code: C01CA04 (Dopamine) Active substance: Rec.INN WHO registered Dosage form
Release form, packaging and composition |
03.08
5-3 mcg/kg/min) it acts predominantly on dopamine receptors, causing expansion of the renal, mesenteric, coronary and cerebral vessels. Due to the specific effect on peripheral dopamine receptors, it reduces the resistance of the renal vessels, increases blood flow in them, as well as glomerular filtration, excretion of sodium ions and diuresis; there is also an expansion of the mesenteric vessels (this action of dopamine on the renal and mesenteric vessels differs from the action of other catecholamines).
Due to the increase in minute volume of blood and peripheral vascular resistance, both systolic and diastolic blood pressure increase.
| I50.1 | Left ventricular failure |
| I50.9 | Heart failure, unspecified |
| I95 | Hypotension |
| R57.0 | Cardiogenic shock |
| R57.1 | Hypovolemic shock |
R57. 8 | Other shocks |
| T78.2 | Anaphylactic shock, unspecified |
| T79.4 | Traumatic shock |
Dosage regimen
The method of administration and dosing regimen of a particular drug depends on its form of release and other factors. The optimal dosage regimen is determined by the doctor. Compliance of the dosage form of a particular drug with indications for use and dosing regimen should be strictly observed.
Set individually depending on the severity of shock, the magnitude of blood pressure and the patient’s response to the administration of dopamine.
In order to increase myocardial contractility, 100-250 mcg/min is administered intravenously.
In intensive surgical therapy administered at a dose of 300-700 mcg/min; with septic shock – at a dose of 750-1500 mcg / min.
In order to influence blood pressure, it is recommended to increase the dose to 500 mcg / min or more, or norepinephrine is additionally prescribed at a constant dose of dopamine.
The duration of application is set individually. There is a positive experience of infusion lasting up to 28 days. After stabilization of the clinical situation, the abolition of dopamine is carried out gradually.
If cardiac arrhythmias occur, regardless of the dose used, further increase in dose is contraindicated.
Side effects
From the side of the cardiovascular system: tachycardia or bradycardia, chest pain, palpitations, increase or decrease in blood pressure, conduction disturbances, expansion of the QRS complex, vasospasm, increased end-diastolic pressure in the left ventricle; when used in high doses – ventricular or supraventricular arrhythmias.
From the digestive system: nausea, vomiting, bleeding from the gastrointestinal tract.
From the side of the nervous system: headache, anxiety, restlessness, tremor of the fingers.
From the side of metabolism: polyuria.
Allergic reactions: in patients with bronchial asthma – bronchospasm, shock.
Local reactions: when dopamine gets under the skin – necrosis of the skin, subcutaneous tissue, gangrene may develop.
Other: dyspnea, azotemia, piloerection, when administered at low doses – polyuria.
Contraindications for use
Hypersensitivity to dopamine; hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy, pheochromocytoma, thyrotoxicosis; tachyarrhythmia, ventricular fibrillation, angle-closure glaucoma; simultaneous use of cyclopropane and hydrocarbon derivatives for inhalation anesthesia, ergot alkaloids; children and adolescents up to 18 years of age.
With caution: hypovolemia, myocardial infarction, cardiac arrhythmias (ventricular arrhythmias, atrial fibrillation), severe aortic stenosis, metabolic acidosis, hypercapnia, hypoxia, arterial hypotension in the “small” circle of blood circulation, obliterating vascular diseases (in.
including atherosclerosis, thromboembolism, thromboangiitis obliterans, endarteritis obliterans, diabetic endarteritis, Raynaud’s disease, frostbite), diabetes mellitus; pregnancy, breastfeeding period.
Use in pregnancy and lactation
Dopamine is used during pregnancy only when the expected benefit to the mother outweighs the potential risk to the fetus.
If necessary, use during lactation should decide on the termination of breastfeeding.
Use in children
Contraindicated in children and adolescents under 18 years of age (efficacy and safety not established).
Special instructions
Dopamine improves atrioventricular conduction, therefore patients with atrial fibrillation should be given cardiac glycosides before dopamine; hypoxia, hypercapnia and acidosis reduce the effectiveness of dopamine, increasing the likelihood of side effects.
Hypovolemia should be corrected with plasma and other blood-substituting fluids before dopamine administration in patients in shock.
Infusion should be carried out under the control of diuresis, minute blood volume, blood pressure, ECG, heart rate. A decrease in urine output without a concomitant decrease in blood pressure indicates the need to reduce the dose of dopamine. MAO inhibitors, increasing the pressor effect of sympathomimetics, can cause headache, arrhythmia, vomiting and other manifestations of a hypertensive crisis, therefore, in patients who have received MAO inhibitors over the past 2-3 weeks, the initial doses of dopamine should be no more than 10% of the usual dose. .
To reduce the risk of extravasation, dopamine should be administered into large veins whenever possible.
Dopamine use in patients with peripheral vascular disease and/or a history of disseminated intravascular coagulation may cause sudden and severe vasoconstriction leading to skin necrosis and gangrene (careful monitoring should be carried out, and if signs of peripheral ischemia are detected, dopamine administration should be stopped immediately ).
Drug interactions
Simultaneous use with diuretics increases the diuretic effect of dopamine.
With the simultaneous use of MAO inhibitors (including furazolidone, procarbazine, selegiline), guanethidine, it is possible to increase the intensity and duration of the cardiostimulating and pressor effects of dopamine.
The administration of dopamine while taking tricyclic antidepressants (including maprotiline) leads to an increase in its effects (may develop tachycardia, arrhythmia, severe arterial hypertension).
When used simultaneously with octadine, the sympathomimetic effect is enhanced.
There is a report of the development of severe arterial hypotension with the simultaneous use of dopamine with phenytoin.
When used simultaneously with inhalation agents for general anesthesia, hydrocarbon derivatives (including cyclopropane, chloroform, enflurane, halothane, isoflurane, methoxyflurane), the risk of developing severe cardiac arrhythmias increases.
Other sympathomimetics, as well as cocaine, increase the cardiotoxic effect.
Butyrophenone derivatives, beta-blockers reduce the action of dopamine.
Dopamine reduces the hypotensive effect of guanadrel, guanethidine, methyldopa, rauwolfia alkaloids (the latter prolong the effect of dopamine).
When used simultaneously with levodopa – increased risk of arrhythmias.
When used simultaneously with thyroid hormones, it is possible to increase the action of both dopamine and thyroid hormones.
Ergometrine, ergotamine, methylergometrine, oxytocin increase the vasoconstrictor effect and the risk of ischemia and gangrene, as well as severe arterial hypertension, up to intracranial hemorrhage.
When used simultaneously with cardiac glycosides, it is possible to increase the risk of developing cardiac arrhythmias, an additive positive inotropic effect.
Reduces the antianginal effect of nitrates, which in turn can reduce the pressor effect of sympathomimetics and increase the risk of arterial hypotension.
Pharmaceutically incompatible with alkaline solutions (inactivates dopamine), oxidizing agents, iron salts, thiamine (contributes to the destruction of vitamin B 1 ).
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Dopamine . Description of the drug in the reference book Vidal.
Active substance DOPAMINUM | Compendium – drug guide
Manufacturer:
CAS no: 51-61-6 C 18 H 11 NO 2
HSDB, RTECS: 3,4-dihydroxyphenethylamine; or 3,4-dihydroxyphenylethylamine; or 3-hydroxytyramine; or 4-(2-aminoethyl)pyrocatechol.
HSDB: 2-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)ethylamine; or 4-(2-aminoethyl)-1,2-benzenediol; or α -(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)- β -aminoethane.
NLM: 4-(2-aminoethyl)catechol.
M m = 153.
18 Da. Melting point – 128 ° C; pKa = 8.93; log P (octanol-water) = -0.98. Dopamine (as hydrochloride) is a white to whitish crystalline powder that may have a slight odor of hydrochloric acid. Freely soluble in water and soluble in alcohol. Not resistant to alkalis, iron salts and oxidizing agents.
Release form: concentrate for preparation of infusion solution.
- Pharmacological properties
- Indications DOPAMINE
- Application of DOPAMINE
- Contraindications
- Side effects
- Special instructions
- Interactions
- Overdose
- Diagnosis
- Recommended alternatives
- Trade names
Medicinal products containing the active substance DOPAMINE
Dopamine Admeda 200
concentrate for infusion solution 200 mg 10 ml ampoule, No. 5
Admeda Arzneimit tel
Prices in pharmacies
Dopamine-Darnitsa
concentrate for solution for infusion 40 mg/ml ampoule 5 ml blister pack, pack, No.
10 9No. 10 5 Pharmacy prices
catecholamine, a neurotransmitter. Endogenous dopamine is the metabolic precursor of norepinephrine and epinephrine. It has a specific stimulating effect on dopamine receptors, and in high doses it also stimulates α- and β-adrenergic receptors. Under the influence of dopamine, peripheral vascular resistance and the level of systolic blood pressure increase, heart contractions increase, and cardiac output increases. Heart rate changes slightly; myocardial oxygen demand increases, but due to the increase in coronary blood flow, a greater supply of oxygen is provided. The use of dopamine increases blood flow in the vessels of the heart, brain, intestines and kidneys, as well as glomerular filtration and sodium excretion by the kidneys.
The action of dopamine comes on quickly and ends 5-10 minutes after the end of the IV infusion. T ½ – approx. 2 min. Approximately 50% of dopamine binds to plasma proteins. Dopamine is rapidly metabolized in the liver, kidneys and blood plasma under the action of MAO and catechol-O-methyltransferase to inactive metabolites and is extensively excreted by the kidneys.
About 25% of the administered dose is metabolized to norepinephrine at the adrenergic nerve endings. Due to rapid elimination, dopamine does not accumulate in the body even with prolonged infusions.
cardiogenic, traumatic, postoperative, endotoxic, hypovolemic shock, acute cardiac and vascular insufficiency, low cardiac output syndrome.
is administered by intravenous drip. 25 or 200 mg are diluted, respectively, in 125 or 400 ml of 5% glucose solution or isotonic solution of sodium chloride so that 1 ml of solution contains 200 and 500 mcg of dopamine, respectively. With contraindications to the introduction of large volumes of liquid, more concentrated solutions are used, diluting 200 mg in 250 ml of the above solutions (1 ml contains 800 mcg of dopamine). The initial rate of administration with an average body weight of 70 kg is 1-4 mcg / kg per 1 min (2-11 drops of 0.05% solution or 1.5-6 drops of 0.08% solution). The therapeutic dose is 5–9mcg/kg in 1 min. With vasodilation and arterial hypotension, it is advisable to use dopamine at a dose of 10–15 µg/kg per 1 min.
If necessary, the rate of administration is increased to 18 µg/kg in 1 min. Infusion is carried out continuously for 2-3 hours to 1-4 days or more. The daily dose reaches 400-800 mg. The introduction is carried out under the control of the ECG. The dose and rate of administration is determined taking into account the level of blood pressure, heart rate, heart rate, cardiac output and diuresis. A decrease in diuresis without arterial hypotension indicates the need to reduce the dose.
pheochromocytoma, arrhythmia, angle-closure glaucoma, prostatic hypertrophy.
when administered in high doses, peripheral vasospasm, tremor, tachycardia, arrhythmia, anginal pain, respiratory failure, headache, psychomotor agitation and other signs of adrenomimetic action are possible. Due to the rapid elimination of dopamine from the body, these phenomena disappear when the dose is reduced or the administration is stopped. In case of rhythm disturbance (extrasystole), it is advisable to use antiarrhythmic drugs (lidocaine, verapamil, etc.