Dobutamine Side Effects

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Jan 27, 2025.

Applies to dobutamine: intravenous solution.

Precautions

It is very important that your doctor check your progress closely while receiving the medicine to make sure it is working properly. Blood tests are needed to check for unwanted effects.

This medicine may cause increase in blood pressure or heart rate. Check with your doctor right away if you have blurred vision, dizziness, headache, nosebleeds, or numbness or tingling in the face, arms, or legs.

This medicine may cause serious allergic and skin reactions, including anaphylaxis, eosinophilia, and bronchospasms, which can be life-threatening and require immediate medical attention. Check with your doctor right away if you have black, tarry stools, chest pain or tightness, chills, cough, difficulty swallowing, dizziness, fast heartbeat, fever, hives, itching, skin rash, painful or difficult urination, puffiness or swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes, face, lips, or tongue, sore throat, sores, ulcers, or white spots on the lips or in the mouth, swollen glands, trouble breathing, unusual bleeding or bruising, or unusual tiredness or weakness.

This medicine may cause fluid overload, which can lead to electrolyte problems, overhydration, or pulmonary edema (fluid in the lungs). Talk with your doctor right away if you have a decrease in the amount of urine output, noisy, rattling breathing, trouble breathing, swelling of the fingers, hands, feet, or lower legs, or weight gain.

Do not take other medicines unless they have been discussed with your doctor. This includes prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicines and herbal or vitamin supplements.

Serious side effects of dobutamine

Along with its needed effects, dobutamine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor or nurse immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking dobutamine:

Other side effects of dobutamine

Some side effects of dobutamine may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects.

Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

For healthcare professionals

Applies to dobutamine: intravenous solution.

General adverse events

The most common adverse reaction was heart rate increased by 30 beats per minute or more.^[Ref]

Cardiovascular

• Very common (10% or more): Heart rate increased by 30 beats per minute (bpm) or more (10%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Systolic blood pressure increased by 50 mmHg or more, premature ventricular beats increased, anginal pain, palpitations, blood pressure decreased, ventricular dysrhythmia, dose-dependent ventricular extrasystoles, ventricular frequency increased in patients with atrial fibrillation, vasoconstriction in patients previously treated with beta blockers, supraventricular extrasystoles, ventricular tachycardia
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Ventricular fibrillation
• Very rare (less than 0.01%): Bradycardia, myocardial ischemia, myocardial infarction, cardiac arrest, second degree atrioventricular block, coronary vasospasms, hypertensive/hypotensive blood pressure decompensation, intracavitary pressure gradients
• Frequency not reported: Systolic blood pressure increased by 10 to 20 mmHg, heart rate increased by 5 to 15 bpm, blood pressure decreased precipitously, pulmonary capillary pressure decreased, pectoral anginal discomfort, stress cardiomyopathy, eosinophilic myocarditis, fatal cardiac rupture^[Ref]

Dermatologic

• Common (1% to 10%): Exanthema, skin rash
• Very rare (less than 0.01%): Petechial bleeding
• Frequency not reported: Pruritus of the scalp^[Ref]

Local

• Common (1% to 10%): Phlebitis, inflammation
• Very rare (less than 0.01%): Cutaneous necrosis^[Ref]

Hematologic

• Common (1% to 10%): Eosinophilia, thrombocyte aggregation inhibited when continuing infusion over a number of days
• Frequency not reported: Thrombocytopenia^[Ref]

Other

• Common (1% to 10%): Nonspecific chest pain, fever
• Frequency not reported: Feeling of heat and anxiety^[Ref]

Respiratory

• Common (1% to 10%): Shortness of breath, bronchospasm^[Ref]

Nervous system

• Common (1% to 10%): Headache
• Frequency not reported: Paresthesia, tremor^[Ref]

Genitourinary

• Common (1% to 10%): Urgency increased at high doses of infusion
• Frequency not reported: Urinary urgency^[Ref]

Gastrointestinal

• Common (1% to 10%): Nausea^[Ref]

Metabolic

• Very rare (less than 0.01%): Hypokalemia
• Frequency not reported: Serum potassium decreased^[Ref]

Immunologic

• Frequency not reported: Hypersensitivity^[Ref]

Musculoskeletal

• Frequency not reported: Myoclonic spasm^[Ref]

Psychiatric

• Frequency not reported: Restlessness, anxiety^[Ref]

See also:

Further information

Dobutamine side effects can vary depending on the individual. Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Note: Medication side effects may be underreported. If you are experiencing side effects that are not listed, submit a report to the FDA by following this guide.

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