Dobutamine is a type of medicine which is a type of medicine called a sympathomimetic stimulant.


What is it used for?

  • Heart failure.
  • During open heart surgery.
  • treatment of cardiogenic shock (failure of the heart to maintain adequate circulation of blood).
  • Stress testing the heart in people who cannot exercise.

How does it work?


Dobutamine stimulates beta1adrenergic receptors in the heart, which causes an increase in the rate and strength at which the heart beats. This allows blood to be pumped effectively around the body in conditions such as heart failure, where the pumping ability of the heart is reduced.


Dobutamine is given by slow injection into the vein (intravenous infusion) to treat heart failure which may be due to a heart attack, open heart surgery or heart shock. It may also be used for heart stress testing, as an alternative to exercise in people for whom routine exercise testing cannot be performed.


  • While having treatment with this medicine you will need to have regular blood tests to monitor the levels of salts such as potassium and sodium in your blood, as well as blood sugar levels.
  • This medicine contains the preservative sodium metabisulphite, which may cause allergic type reactions of varying severity in people who are sensitive to sulphites.

Use with caution in

  • unstable angina .
  • Irregular heart beats (arrhythmias).
  • Low volume of circulating blood (hypovolaemia).
  • Narrowing of the main artery of the body (aortic stenosis).
  • The period immediately following a heart attack (myocardial infarction).
  • Very low blood pressure (severe hypotension).

Not to be used in

  • Tumour of the adrenal gland (phaeochromocytoma).
  • Sensitivity to any of the ingredients.




Pregnancy and breastfeeding


  • There is no information available about the safety of this medicine during pregnancy, therefore it is not recommended for use during pregnancy, unless considered essential by your doctor. Seek medical advice from your doctor.
  • It is not known whether this medicine passes into breast milk. Mothers who need to take this medicine should not breastfeed. Seek medical advice from your doctor.

Side effects


  • Reaction at the site of infusion.
  • Increased heart rate.
  • Awareness of your heartbeat (palpitations).
  • Chest pain (angina).
  • Shortness of breath.
  • Abnormal heart beats (arrhythmias).
  • Asthma.
  • Changes in blood pressure.
  • Headache
  • Rash,
  • Nausea,
  • Increase urgency for urination.
  • Fever.
  • Heart attack.



How can this medicine affect other medicines?


This medicine should be used with caution in people taking beta-blockers such as atenolol, propranolol. If used in combination there may be an increase in blood pressure and a slower than normal heart beat.

Other medicines containing the same active ingredients

Dobutamine as is only available generically (ie without a brand name).

Last updated

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