dobutamine

Developed in the 1970s, Dobutamine is a medication used to treat acute but potentially reversible heart failure, such as which occurs during cardiac surgery or in cases of septic or cardiogenic shock. Dobutamine can also be used in cases of congestive heart failure to increase cardiac output. As a matter of fact, Dobutamine can cause a fast heart rate, an irregular heartbeat, and inflammation at the site of injection. Even though reproduction studies performed in rats at doses up to the normal human dose have revealed no evidence of harm to the fetus due to dobutamine, there are still no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women. Because animal reproduction studies are not always predictive of human response, this drug should be used during pregnancy only if clearly needed. Besides, it is not known whether this drug is excreted in human milk. Caution should be exercised nonetheless when dobutamine is administered to a nursing woman. And if a mother requires dobutamine treatment, breast-feeding should be discontinued for the duration of the treatment.