Dobutamine Side Effects

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Sep 23, 2023.

Applies to dobutamine: intravenous solution.

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:

More common

• Dizziness
• headache
• increased heart rate
• numbness or tingling in the arms or legs
• trouble thinking, speaking, or walking
• weakness

Less common

• Chest pain
• fast, irregular, pounding, or racing heartbeat or pulse
• trouble breathing

Incidence not known

• Back, tarry stools
• bluish color
• blurred vision
• changes in skin color
• chest discomfort or tightness
• chills
• confusion
• cough
• difficulty swallowing
• dizziness, faintness, or lightheadedness when getting up suddenly from a lying or sitting position
• 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
• sweating
• swelling of the fingers, hands, feet, or lower legs
• swollen glands
• unusual bleeding or bruising
• weight gain

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:

Less common

• Nausea

For Healthcare Professionals

Applies to dobutamine: intravenous solution.

General

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]

Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Some side effects may not be reported. You may report them to the FDA.

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