Prescription medicine
Dopamine First approved as Intropin
Dopamine (Intropin) is a prescription medicine with an FDA approval on record since 1974. FDA's NDC Directory lists it from 4 generic labelers.
- Generic listed
- In shortage
Check it at the source: the dopamine FDA label on DailyMed (effective May 12, 2026, Hospira, Inc.); the NDA 17395 record on Drugs@FDA; every dopamine label on DailyMed.
Highlights of the record
FDA label of May 12, 2026; NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA and Orange Book, October 8, 2026
Used for
From the label: indications and usageDopamine Hydrochloride in Dextrose Injection is indicated to improve hemodynamic status in patients in distributive shock, or shock due to reduced cardiac output.
Forms and strengths
- 1.6 mg/ml
- 3.2 mg/ml
- 40 mg/ml
- 80 mg/ml
- 80 mg/100ml
- 160 mg/100ml
- 320 mg/100ml
Injection (solution); injection (solution) (concentrate); injection.
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- February 25, 1974 Intropin, Hospira; Drugs@FDA’s file, where older or withdrawn approvals can be missing
- Generic approvals
- 9 first October 23, 1985; 1 with a marketed status in Drugs@FDA
- Labelers listed (NDC)
- 8 of which 4 under generic applications, 7 under brand applications, repackagers included
Supply and safety
- Pharmacy cost (NADAC)
- Not in the survey
- Shortage (FDA)
- 3 of 11 presentations limited or unavailable updated October 2, 2026
- Recalls by its makers (FDA)
- 2 since 2014 0 Class I among all firms' recalls; latest September 4, 2026
- FAERS reports
- 3,763 through July 30, 2026
What is dopamine used for?
From the label: indications and usageDopamine Hydrochloride in Dextrose Injection is indicated to improve hemodynamic status in patients in distributive shock, or shock due to reduced cardiac output. Dopamine HCl in Dextrose Injection is a catecholamine indicated to improve hemodynamic status in patients in shock.
FDA pharmacologic class: Catecholamine.
Source: FDA drug label (Dopamine Hydrochloride in Dextrose), Hospira, Inc., effective May 12, 2026 (SPL set 08f23f6e-150d-45ea-098e-f2edf64c21a1), via openFDA; the full label on DailyMed
Is there a generic for dopamine (Intropin)?
The FDA approved the first generic dopamine on October 23, 1985. 9 generic applications are approved; 1 of them carries a current (not discontinued) marketing status in Drugs@FDA; that status is not evidence that the generic is on sale.
FDA's NDC Directory lists dopamine from 4 labelers under a generic (ANDA) application and from 7 brand labelers. A listing means the company has registered the product for sale; it does not show that every pharmacy stocks it.
- 1974 earliest approval on file
- 1985 first generic approved
- 2017 to now in shortage
- red ticks recalls
Source: Drugs@FDA, FDA NDC Directory and the Orange Book (openFDA bulk files, October 8, 2026)
Is dopamine in shortage?
The FDA Drug Shortage Database lists 3 of 11 dopamine presentations as limited or unavailable (updated October 2, 2026); the first entry was posted on November 6, 2017. 8 more presentations are on the list as available.
| Presentation | Company | Status | Updated |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dopamine Hydrochloride In Dextrose 5% In Plastic Container, Injection, 160 mg/100 mL (NDC 0338-1007-02) | Baxter Healthcare | Current | October 2, 2026 |
| Dopamine Hydrochloride In Dextrose 5% In Plastic Container, Injection, 160 mg/100 mL (NDC 0338-1007-03) | Baxter Healthcare | Current | October 2, 2026 |
| Dopamine Hydrochloride In Dextrose 5% In Plastic Container, Injection, 400 mg/250 mL (1.6 mg/1 mL) (NDC 0409-0042-12) | Hospira, Inc., a Pfizer Company | Current | September 22, 2026 |
| Dopamine Hydrochloride In Dextrose 5% In Plastic Container, Injection, 80 mg/100 mL (NDC 0338-1005-02) | Baxter Healthcare | Current | October 2, 2026 |
| Dopamine Hydrochloride In Dextrose 5% In Plastic Container, Injection, 80 mg/100 mL (NDC 0338-1005-03) | Baxter Healthcare | Current | October 2, 2026 |
| Dopamine Hydrochloride In Dextrose 5% In Plastic Container, Injection, 800 mg/250 mL (3.2 mg/1 mL) (NDC 0409-1858-12) | Hospira, Inc., a Pfizer Company | Current | September 22, 2026 |
| Dopamine Hydrochloride In Dextrose 5% In Plastic Container, Injection, 800 mg/500 mL (1.6 mg/1 mL) (NDC 0409-7809-24) | Hospira, Inc., a Pfizer Company | Current | September 22, 2026 |
| Dopamine Hydrochloride, Injection, 200 mg/5mL (40 mg/1 mL) (NDC 0409-5820-01) | Hospira, Inc., a Pfizer Company | Current | September 22, 2026 |
Source: FDA Drug Shortage Database via openFDA, updated October 8, 2026
Has dopamine been recalled?
The FDA's Enforcement Report lists 2 recalls naming dopamine since 2014: 0 Class I (the most serious), 2 Class II, 0 Class III; 1 still ongoing. A recall names products and lots, not every product of the medicine.
| Started | Class | Company | Reason |
|---|---|---|---|
| September 4, 2026 | Class II | Pfizer | Lack of Assurance of Sterility |
| September 29, 2014 | Class II | Baxter Healthcare Corp. | Lack of Assurance of Sterility: A small cut in the solution bag may have been introduced during the manufacturing process, resulting in a leak of the bag into … |
Source: FDA Enforcement Report (drug recalls) via openFDA, through October 8, 2026
What does the dopamine label say about other medicines?
The dopamine label names 20 other medicines in its interaction, contraindication or warning sections. The sentences are the labels' own; a label lists what its studies and reports found, not every interaction.
| Medicine named | Section | What the label says |
|---|---|---|
| Amitriptyline | drug interactions | Tricyclic Antidepressants Clinical Impact: Concomitant use may potentiate the cardiovascular effects of dopamine (e.g., hypertension). Intervention: Monitor blood pressure. Examples: amitriptyline, desipramine, doxepin, imipramine, nortriptyline. |
| Desflurane | drug interactions | Halogenated Anesthetics Clinical Impact: Concomitant use may increase cardiac autonomic irritability and can sensitize the myocardium to the action of dopamine which may lead to ventricular arrhythmias and hypertension. Intervention: Monitor cardiac rhythm. Examples: desflurane, enflurane, isoflurane, and sevoflurane. |
| Desipramine | drug interactions | Tricyclic Antidepressants Clinical Impact: Concomitant use may potentiate the cardiovascular effects of dopamine (e.g., hypertension). Intervention: Monitor blood pressure. Examples: amitriptyline, desipramine, doxepin, imipramine, nortriptyline. |
| Doxepin | drug interactions | Tricyclic Antidepressants Clinical Impact: Concomitant use may potentiate the cardiovascular effects of dopamine (e.g., hypertension). Intervention: Monitor blood pressure. Examples: amitriptyline, desipramine, doxepin, imipramine, nortriptyline. |
| Epinephrine | drug interactions | Clinical Impact: Concomitant use may result in severe hypertension. Intervention: Monitor blood pressure. Examples: norepinephrine, epinephrine, oxytocin. |
| Haloperidol | drug interactions | Butyrophenones (such as haloperidol) and phenothiazines can suppress the dopaminergic renal and mesenteric vasodilation induced with low-dose dopamine infusion. |
| Imipramine | drug interactions | Tricyclic Antidepressants Clinical Impact: Concomitant use may potentiate the cardiovascular effects of dopamine (e.g., hypertension). Intervention: Monitor blood pressure. Examples: amitriptyline, desipramine, doxepin, imipramine, nortriptyline. |
| Isocarboxazid | drug interactions | MAO Inhibitors Clinical Impact: Because dopamine is metabolized by monoamine oxidase (MAO), inhibition of this enzyme prolongs and potentiates the effect of dopamine which may result in severe hypertension and cardiac arrhythmia. … prior to the administration of Dopamine HCl in Dextrose Injection. Examples: isocarboxazid, phenelzine, tranylcypromine, rasagiline, selegiline, linezolid. |
| Isoflurane | drug interactions | Halogenated Anesthetics Clinical Impact: Concomitant use may increase cardiac autonomic irritability and can sensitize the myocardium to the action of dopamine which may lead to ventricular arrhythmias and hypertension. Intervention: Monitor cardiac rhythm. Examples: desflurane, enflurane, isoflurane, and sevoflurane. |
| Linezolid | drug interactions | MAO Inhibitors Clinical Impact: Because dopamine is metabolized by monoamine oxidase (MAO), inhibition of this enzyme prolongs and potentiates the effect of dopamine which may result in severe hypertension and cardiac arrhythmia. … Examples: isocarboxazid, phenelzine, tranylcypromine, rasagiline, selegiline, linezolid. |
| Metoprolol | drug interactions | Cardiac effects of dopamine are antagonized by beta-adrenergic blocking agents, such as propranolol and metoprolol. |
| Nortriptyline | drug interactions | Tricyclic Antidepressants Clinical Impact: Concomitant use may potentiate the cardiovascular effects of dopamine (e.g., hypertension). Intervention: Monitor blood pressure. Examples: amitriptyline, desipramine, doxepin, imipramine, nortriptyline. |
| Phenelzine | drug interactions | MAO Inhibitors Clinical Impact: Because dopamine is metabolized by monoamine oxidase (MAO), inhibition of this enzyme prolongs and potentiates the effect of dopamine which may result in severe hypertension and cardiac arrhythmia. … administration of Dopamine HCl in Dextrose Injection. Examples: isocarboxazid, phenelzine, tranylcypromine, rasagiline, selegiline, linezolid. |
| Phentolamine | warnings and precautions | • 5 to 10 mg of phentolamine mesylate in 10 to 15 mL of 0.9% Sodium Chloride Injection in adults |
Every other medicine the dopamine label names
| Medicine named | Section | What the label says |
|---|---|---|
| Phenytoin | drug interactions | Administration of phenytoin to patients receiving dopamine HCl has been reported to lead to hypotension and bradycardia. |
| Propranolol | drug interactions | Results of studies in animals indicate that dopamine-induced ventricular arrhythmias during anesthesia can be reversed by propranolol. |
| Rasagiline | drug interactions | MAO Inhibitors Clinical Impact: Because dopamine is metabolized by monoamine oxidase (MAO), inhibition of this enzyme prolongs and potentiates the effect of dopamine which may result in severe hypertension and cardiac arrhythmia. … Dextrose Injection. Examples: isocarboxazid, phenelzine, tranylcypromine, rasagiline, selegiline, linezolid. |
| Selegiline | drug interactions | MAO Inhibitors Clinical Impact: Because dopamine is metabolized by monoamine oxidase (MAO), inhibition of this enzyme prolongs and potentiates the effect of dopamine which may result in severe hypertension and cardiac arrhythmia. … Injection. Examples: isocarboxazid, phenelzine, tranylcypromine, rasagiline, selegiline, linezolid. |
| Sevoflurane | drug interactions | Halogenated Anesthetics Clinical Impact: Concomitant use may increase cardiac autonomic irritability and can sensitize the myocardium to the action of dopamine which may lead to ventricular arrhythmias and hypertension. Intervention: Monitor cardiac rhythm. Examples: desflurane, enflurane, isoflurane, and sevoflurane. |
| Tranylcypromine | drug interactions | MAO Inhibitors Clinical Impact: Because dopamine is metabolized by monoamine oxidase (MAO), inhibition of this enzyme prolongs and potentiates the effect of dopamine which may result in severe hypertension and cardiac arrhythmia. … Dopamine HCl in Dextrose Injection. Examples: isocarboxazid, phenelzine, tranylcypromine, rasagiline, selegiline, linezolid. |
Source: FDA drug label (Dopamine Hydrochloride in Dextrose), Hospira, Inc., effective May 12, 2026 (SPL set 08f23f6e-150d-45ea-098e-f2edf64c21a1), via openFDA; the full label on DailyMed
What do FAERS reports show for dopamine?
The FDA Adverse Event Reporting System holds 3,763 reports that list dopamine among the medicines taken, through July 30, 2026, each a report of something that happened, not proof the medicine caused it; 1,315 are coded as a death and 1,859 as a hospital stay. Counts follow how widely a medicine is used and watched, and they are not a measure of how risky it is.
Reports received each year
The most reported reactions
Source: FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) via openFDA, reports through July 30, 2026
What next?
- Other catecholamines
- the pharmacologic class, with prices and generics
- Dopamine side effects
- the label's list beside FAERS reports
- Dopamine shortage record
- every presentation, company and date
- Check an interaction
- what two or more labels say about each other