Category:

• Nervous system

Description:

• Vasopressor

Indications:

• Hypotension during anesthesia

• Supraventricular paroxysmal tachycardia

Contraindications:

• Severe hypertension

Precautions:

• Pregnancy category C

• Children, hypovolemia, extravasation (phentolamine is antidote), hyperthyroidism

• Bradycardia, partial heart block, myocardial disease, severe arteriosclerosus

• Sulfite sensitivity

Adverse Reactions (Side Effects):

• CNS: anxiety, headache (often severe)

• CV: excessive blood pressure elevation, ventricular ectopic beats

• GI: nausea, vomiting (often projectile)

• GU: fetal bradycardia, urinary urgency, uterine hypertonus

• SKIN: pilomotor response, sweating

Dosage:

Administered intramuscularly, intravenously

• Adult: 

  • During spinal anesthesia: 

    • IM 10-20mg shortly before or with spinal anesthesia; repeat as needed

  • Emergencies:

    • IV 3-5mg injected slowly

  • Supraventricular tachycardia:

    •  IV 10mg injected slowly