Moclobemide
Severe
Textbook
Exacerbated sympathomimetic activity of dopamine.
Dopamine should be avoided or used at much lower doses if the patient has received a MAO inhibitor.
Source: G&G 14e · p259
Drug reference
Dopamine
Endogenous catecholamine (dose-dependent dopaminergic/adrenergic) · Vasopressor, Inotropic Agent
Also known as Dopamine Hydrochloride, Intropin
START
IV infusion 2–5 mcg/kg/min (central line), titrate to BP/cardiac output; correct hypovolaemia first
TYPICAL MAX
Usually ≤20 mcg/kg/min (higher = refractory — prefer noradrenaline)
STOP IF
Significant tachyarrhythmia, ischaemia, extravasation (stop, phentolamine to site)
WATCH
Continuous ECG/BP, perfusion/extremities, infusion site, urine output; prefer noradrenaline first-line in septic shock
CDSCO approvedHATC C01CA04
KDIGO 2024 + manufacturer label
- ONSET
- 5min · onset (~5 min)
- PEAK
- 8min · steady state
- t½
- 2min · plasma t½ (~2 min)
- DURATION
- 8min · offset (<10 min)
EXCRETION
COMT/MAO metabolism; renal metabolites
route + CYP
INTERACTIONS
12 major
SEVERE in our sources
PREGNANCY
Use only for life-threatening maternal shock — uteroplacental vasoconstriction risk; benefit usually outweighs
FDA category + note
Top interactionssee all 12 →
- MoclobemideSevereTextbookG&G 14e · p259
- AmitriptylineSevereDatabaseDDInter
- AmoxapineSevereDatabaseDDInter
- ClomipramineSevereDatabaseDDInter
Available in India
21 branded formulations. Look up specific brands in the Drugs workspace.
Mechanism
Dose-dependent: low (≤3 mcg/kg/min) dopaminergic (renal/mesenteric vasodilation — clinically limited value); moderate (3–10) beta-1 inotropy; high (>10) alpha-1 vasoconstriction. Catecholamine vasopressor/inotrope.
Indications
Shock (cardiogenic, septic — second-line vs noradrenaline), hypotension after adequate volumeLow cardiac output statesSymptomatic bradycardia unresponsive to atropine (alternative)
Dosing
- Adult
- IV infusion (central line preferred): start 2–5 mcg/kg/min, titrate to haemodynamics; usual range 5–20 mcg/kg/min (rarely >20).
- Pediatric
- 2–20 mcg/kg/min titrated (PICU).
- Renal adjustment
- No specific adjustment.
- Hepatic adjustment
- No specific adjustment.
- Geriatric
- Cautious titration (ischaemia/arrhythmia).
- Max dose
- Usually ≤20 mcg/kg/min; higher indicates refractory shock
Pharmacokinetics
Onset
~5 min
Peak effect
~5–10 min (steady state)
Duration
<10 min after stopping
Half-life
~2 min
Bioavailability
IV only
Protein binding
Low
Metabolism
COMT/MAO (rapid)
Excretion
Renal (metabolites)
Contraindications
- Phaeochromocytoma
- Uncorrected tachyarrhythmia / ventricular fibrillation
- Hypovolaemia uncorrected (correct first)
- Hypersensitivity (sulfite)
Side effects
Common
Tachycardia/ectopyHypertensionAnginal painNausea/vomitingHeadache
Serious
- Tachyarrhythmia (AF, VT)
- Peripheral/digital ischaemia/gangrene (high dose, extravasation)
- Myocardial ischaemia
- Severe hypertension; tissue necrosis on extravasation
Pregnancy & lactation
Pregnancy
Use only for life-threatening maternal shock — uteroplacental vasoconstriction risk; benefit usually outweighs
Lactation
Acute critical-care use; minimal relevance (very short t½)
Drug interactions
Amitriptyline
Severe
Database
Altered response to dopamine.
Careful adjustment of dosage is necessary in patients who are taking tricyclic antidepressants.
Source: DDInter
Amoxapine
Severe
Database
Altered response to dopamine.
Careful adjustment of dosage is necessary in patients who are taking tricyclic antidepressants.
Source: DDInter
Clomipramine
Severe
Database
Altered response to dopamine.
Careful adjustment of dosage is necessary in patients who are taking tricyclic antidepressants.
Source: DDInter
Desipramine
Severe
Database
Altered response to dopamine.
Careful adjustment of dosage is necessary in patients who are taking tricyclic antidepressants.
Source: DDInter
Dihydroergotamine
Severe
Database
Clinical effect not specified
Source: DDInter
Doxepin
Severe
Database
Altered response to dopamine.
Careful adjustment of dosage is necessary in patients who are taking tricyclic antidepressants.
Source: DDInter
Ergometrine
Severe
Database
Clinical effect not specified
Source: DDInter
Ergotamine Tartrate
Severe
Database
Clinical effect not specified
Source: DDInter
Imipramine
Severe
Database
Altered response to dopamine.
Careful adjustment of dosage is necessary in patients who are taking tricyclic antidepressants.
Source: DDInter
Isocarboxazid
Severe
Database
Exacerbated sympathomimetic activity of dopamine.
Dopamine should be avoided or used at much lower doses if the patient has received a MAO inhibitor.
Source: DDInter
Linezolid
Severe
Database
.
Source: DDInter
Related guidelines
Ask House about Dopamine
Continue into a citation-backed clinical answer with the drug context already attached.
Sources: KD Tripathi 7e, Goodman & Gilman 14e, Katzung, BNF·Verified: 2026-05-19 · House clinical team·Cockpit curated: 2026-05-19