dobutamine

Q: What is dobutamine used for?

Dobutamine is used in the hospital to manage sudden, [severe worsening of heart failure](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4347210/). Heart failure happens when your heart isn't strong enough to keep pumping blood throughout your body. Over time, blood and fluid start to build up in your body, especially in the lungs and legs. This can cause shortness of breath and swelling. The sudden, severe worsening of heart failure can be a life-threatening situation. If this happens, you need immediate medical attention, and you'll typically need to be hospitalized for care.

Q: How much dobutamine will I receive?

The dose of dobutamine varies from one person to another because it's based on your body weight and response to the medication. Some things that your care team looks at to see how you're responding to the medication include your blood pressure, heart rate, and other indicators of heart function. Hospitals typically have a specific program in place with steps that outline how to monitor and change the dose of dobutamine. This makes sure the medication works well and is as safe as possible for you.

Generic Dobutamine

Used for Heart Failure

Dobutamine is an injectable medication used in the hospital for people who have sudden, severe worsening of heart failure. It helps your heart pump, which improves blood flow throughout the body. This medication is only meant for short-term use.

Reviewed by:

Robert Chad Hakim, PharmD, BCCCP

Kristianne Hannemann, PharmD

Last reviewed on January 30, 2023

What is Dobutamine?

What is Dobutamine used for?

Short-term treatment of sudden, severe worsening of heart failure

Drug facts

Common Brands	No brand available
Drug Class	Beta agonist
Controlled Substance Classification	Not a controlled medication
Generic Status	No lower-cost generic available
Availability	Prescription only

Common Brands

No brand available

Drug Class

Beta agonist

Controlled Substance Classification

Not a controlled medication

Generic Status

No lower-cost generic available

Availability

Prescription only

Common questions about Dobutamine

Dobutamine is used in the hospital to manage sudden, severe worsening of heart failure. Heart failure happens when your heart isn't strong enough to keep pumping blood throughout your body. Over time, blood and fluid start to build up in your body, especially in the lungs and legs. This can cause shortness of breath and swelling. The sudden, severe worsening of heart failure can be a life-threatening situation. If this happens, you need immediate medical attention, and you'll typically need to be hospitalized for care.

Dobutamine is a beta agonist. It acts on signaling proteins called beta-adrenergic receptors in the heart and blood vessels. When Dobutamine attaches to these receptors, it lets your heart squeeze more and raises your heart rate. This keeps your blood pressure from dropping too low.

Dobutamine is given as an injection through the veins (intravenously or IV) by a healthcare provider in the hospital. This injection runs continuously, usually for no more than several hours. But your provider will determine how long you need Dobutamine to keep your condition stable.

The dose of Dobutamine varies from one person to another because it's based on your body weight and response to the medication. Some things that your care team looks at to see how you're responding to the medication include your blood pressure, heart rate, and other indicators of heart function. Hospitals typically have a specific program in place with steps that outline how to monitor and change the dose of Dobutamine. This makes sure the medication works well and is as safe as possible for you.

Dobutamine is typically a well-tolerated medication and doesn't have a lot of side effects. Some possible side effects include changes in blood pressure (usually higher and rarely lower), irregular heart rate, and injection-site reactions (e.g., skin inflammation). Dobutamine contains a sulfite, which might cause serious and possibly life-threatening allergic reactions in some people.

Dobutamine dosage

Typical dosage for Dobutamine

What are alternatives to Dobutamine?

There are a number of medications that your doctor can prescribe in place of Dobutamine. Compare a few possible alternatives below.

Dobutamine

Used for:

Short-term treatment of sudden, severe worsening of heart failure

View prices

Milrinone

Used for:

Short-term treatment of sudden, severe worsening of heart failure

View prices

References

Ashkar, H., et al. (2023). Dobutamine. StatPearls.

Hainan Poly Pharm. Co., Ltd. (2023). DOBUTAMINE injection, solution, concentrate [package insert]. DailyMed.

Teerlink, J. R., et al. (2015). Acute decompensated heart failure update. Current Cardiology Reviews.

GoodRx Health has strict sourcing policies and relies on primary sources such as medical organizations, governmental agencies, academic institutions, and peer-reviewed scientific journals. Learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate, thorough, and unbiased by reading our editorial guidelines.

What is Dobutamine?

What is Dobutamine used for?

Drug facts

Common questions about Dobutamine

What is Dobutamine used for?

How does Dobutamine work?

How is Dobutamine given?

How much Dobutamine will I receive?

What are the side effects of Dobutamine?

Dobutamine dosage

Typical dosage for Dobutamine

What are alternatives to Dobutamine?

References

Common questions about Dobutamine

What is Dobutamine used for?

How does Dobutamine work?

How is Dobutamine given?

How much Dobutamine will I receive?

What are the side effects of Dobutamine?