How does it work?

Dopexamine hydrochloride stimulates beta2 adrenergic receptors and peripheral dopamine receptors. Dopexamine hydrochloride binds to dopamine receptors located in the kidney, gut, brain and heart, causing the blood vessels in these areas to widen. This allows an increase in the blood flow and therefore the amount of oxygen supplied to these organs. Dopexamine also binds to beta-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. Dopexamine is used intravenously for the short term treatment of heart failure associated with cardiac surgery and in cases of worsening chronic heart failure.

What is it used for?

Heart failure

Warning!

People with diabetes should monitor their blood sugar carefully during treatment with this medicine.

There is no safety information regarding the use of this medicine in children. It should therefore be used with caution in children. Consult your doctor.

Use with caution in

Angina pectoris

Diabetes

Heart disease caused by inadequate blood flow to the heart

High blood sugar levels

Low blood potassium levels (hypokalaemia)

Low volume of circulating blood (hypovolaemia)

The period immediately following a heart attack (acute phase - myocardial infarction)

Very low blood pressure (severe hypotension)

Not to be used in

Heart disease characterised by thickening of the internal heart muscle and a blockage inside the heart (hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy)

Narrowing of the main artery of the body (aortic stenosis)

People who have taken monoamine-oxidase inhibitor antidepressants (MAOIs) in the last 14 days

Reduced platelet count in the blood

Tumour of the adrenal gland (phaeochromocytoma)

This medicine should not be used if you are allergic to one or any of its ingredients. Please inform your doctor or pharmacist if you have previously experienced such an allergy. If you feel you have experienced an allergic reaction, stop using this medicine and inform your doctor or pharmacist immediately.

Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

Certain medicines should not be used during pregnancy or breastfeeding. However, other medicines may be safely used in pregnancy or breastfeeding providing the benefits to the mother outweigh the risks to the unborn baby. Always inform your doctor if you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy, before using any medicine.

The manufacturer states not to use this medicine during pregnancy and breastfeeding as there is insufficient safety information available. Seek medical advice from your doctor.

Side effects

Medicines and their possible side effects can affect individual people in different ways. The following are some of the side effects that are known to be associated with this medicine. Because a side effect is stated here, it does not mean that all people using this medicine will experience that or any side effect.

Headache

Shaking, usually of the hands (tremor)

Sweating

Abnormal heart beats (arrhythmias)

Nausea and vomiting

Changes in blood pressure

Difficulty in breathing (dyspnoea)

Increased heart rate (tachycardia)

The side effects listed above may not include all of the side effects reported by the drug's manufacturer. For more information about any other possible risks associated with this medicine, please read the information provided with the medicine or consult your doctor or pharmacist.

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