PATIENT
INFORMATION LEAFLET
This
leaflet contains important information about your
medicine; read it carefully.
Keep
this leaflet; you may want to read it again.
If you
have any questions or are not sure about anything,
ask your doctor or pharmacist.
DOPAMINE
40 mg/ml and 160 mg/ml STERILE CONCENTRATE
- The
active substance is dopamine hydrochloride
- The
other ingredients are sodium metabisulphite and
Water for Injections.
1. What
Dopamine Sterile Concentrate is and what it is used for
Dopamine is
a medicine that stimulates the heart and acts on the
blood vessels, in the form of a concentrate for solution
for infusion (a concentrated solution which is diluted
to make a solution which can be given as a slow
injection via a drip).
The medicine
is presented in glass containers called ampoules. The
solution in each 5 ml (millilitre) ampoule contains
either 200 mg (milligrams) or 800 mg of dopamine
hydrochloride.
For the
ampoule containing 200 mg of dopamine, each ml of
solution contains 40 mg of dopamine hydrochloride. It is
available in packs containing 5 x 5 ml or 50 x 5 ml
ampoules.
For the
ampoule containing 800 mg of dopamine, each ml of
solution contains 160 mg of dopamine hydrochloride. It
is available in packs containing 5 x 5 ml ampoules.
Dopamine can be used:
-
for low blood pressure or shock (reduction of
blood flow through the body tissues) after a
heart attack, blood poisoning, trauma (injury)
or kidney failure
-
in combination with other treatments where low
blood pressure occurs after open heart surgery
-
in congestive heart failure (heart failure due
to a build up of fluid/blood)
2.
Before Dopamine Sterile Concentrate is used
Dopamine Sterile Concentrate should not be used:
-
if you have a tumour that causes an increase in
blood pressure
-
if you have an overactive thyroid gland
-
if you have irregular or rapid heartbeats
-
if you are being given certain anaesthetics,
such as halothane
-
if you have shown signs of hypersensitivity
(severe allergy) to dopamine or sodium
metabisulphite on previous occasions
Special care will be taken:
-
if you have diabetes
-
if you have a history of blood circulation
problems (you will be monitored for any changes
in colour or temperature of your fingers or
toes)
-
if you are taking certain other medicines, such
as:
-
anaesthetics
-
alpha & beta blockers e.g. propranolol
(medicines which are often used for treating
blood pressure and heart disorders).
-
monoamine oxidase inhibitors
(anti-depressant medicines)
-
phenytoin (a medicine used to treat
epilepsy)
Please
tell your doctor if you are taking, or have recently
taken, any other medicines, including ones that are
not prescribed for you.
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
If you
are pregnant or breastfeeding you will only be given
dopamine if it is absolutely essential.
Important information about one of the ingredients
of Dopamine Sterile Concentrate
This
medicine contains sodium metabisulphite, which can
cause an allergic type reaction (skin rash, swelling
of eyelids, face or lips, or difficulty in
breathing). This is rare but you may be more at risk
if you suffer from allergies or asthma.
3. How
Dopamine Sterile Concentrate is used
The dose of
medicine given to you will depend upon your medical
condition, body weight and your response.
If the
volume of your blood is low, before you are given
dopamine hydrochloride you may be given a transfusion of
blood or a plasma expander.
The medicine
will be diluted e.g. with 5% dextrose before it is given
to you. It will be given as a slow injection via a drip
into a vein.
As this
medicine will be given to you whilst you are in hospital
it is unlikely that you will be given too little or too
much, however tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have
any concerns.
The rate of
administration will be carefully controlled and adjusted
according to your response. During treatment your heart
rate, blood pressure and urine output will be measured
to check how you are responding.
4.
Possible side effects
Like all
medicines, dopamine hydrochloride can have side effects.
If
any the following happen, tell the doctor
immediately:
-
pain in your fingers or toes (at higher doses,
especially in people who have had problems with
their circulation, gangrene can occur)
-
pain at the injection site immediately or soon
after injection
-
abnormal heart beats
-
severe allergic reaction - you may experience a
sudden itchy rash (hives), swelling of the
hands, feet, ankles, face, lips, mouth or throat
(which may cause difficulty in swallowing or
breathing), and you may feel you are going to
faint.
These
are very serious side effects. You may need urgent
medical attention. All of these very serious side
effects are rare.
Other possible side effects include:
-
quick or slow heart beats
-
chest pain
-
low blood pressure (you may feel dizzy or faint,
particularly when standing up or getting out of
bed)
-
feeling or being sick
-
headache
-
dilation of the pupil of the eye (mydriasis)
which may cause difficulty with bright lights
-
shortness of breath
-
goose pimples
If you
notice any side effects not mentioned in this
leaflet, please tell your doctor or pharmacist.
5.
Storing Dopamine Sterile Concentrate
Keep out of
the reach of children.
The ampoules
should not be stored above 30°C.
The ampoules
should be stored in the outer carton (in order to
protect from light).
This
medicine should not be used after the expiry date
printed on the ampoule.
This
medicine should not be used if the solution is
discoloured.
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