Dopamine infusion in man. Plasma catecholamine levels and pharmacokinetics

Dopamine is widely used in the treatment of hypotensive conditions and/or impending renal failure, but the plasma levels of dopamine and other catecholamines in association with dopamine infusion are not known. Plasma catecholamines and dopamine pharmacokinetics during and after dopamine infusion were therefore studied in man. Two and 5 micrograms x kg-1 x min-1 of dopamine were infused for 30 min in two groups of five patients. Dose-dependent mean steady state levels with fairly large interindividual variations were reached within 5 min. Elimination of dopamine from plasma after termination of infusion had a biphasic course with t 1/2 alpha around 1 min and t 1/2 beta about 9 min in both groups. Noradrenaline plasma levels and blood pressure increased significantly in the 5 micrograms group. It is suggested that the vasoconstriction with deleterious effects on tissue perfusion, seen in conjunction with high-dose dopamine infusion, may be due to increased noradrenaline levels.