dopamine
Last reviewed 01/2018
Dopamine acts on both dopamine and adrenergic receptors in a dose dependent manner.
Below 5 microgram per kg per min, dopamine acts mainly to increase renal blood flow by stimulating dopamine receptors.
At doses between 5 and 20 microgram per kg per min, there is greater beta-1 and alpha adrenoceptor stimulation, resulting in increased cardiac output and a modest rise in blood pressure.
At doses above 20 microgram per Kg per min, the alpha receptor effects are more marked, resulting in a further rise in blood pressure which is generally undesirable.