DOBUTamine

NEONATAL MEDICATION GUIDELINE
DOBUTamine
Scope (Staff): Nursing, Medical and Pharmacy Staff
Scope (Area): KEMH NICU, PCH NICU, NETS WA
This document should be read in conjunction with the Disclaimer.
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Preparation & Side Effects &
Dose Monitoring
Administration Interactions
Restrictions
Formulary: Restricted
HIGH RISK Medication
Description
Sympathomimetic/Inotropic agent; vasodilator, used to increase cardiac output with myocardial
dysfunction and unchanged or increased systemic vascular resistance
Presentation
Ampoule: 250mg/20mL
Storage
Ampoule: Store at room temperature, below 25oC
Diluted Solution: Use immediately after preparation
Dose
Cardiovascular shock
Continuous IV Infusion:
Initially 5 microgram/ kg/ minute then titrate according to response
Maximum 20 microgram/kg/ minute

DOBUTamine
Management of hypotension and hypoperfusion
Continuous IV Infusion:
Initially 5 microgram/ kg/ minute then titrate according to response
Maximum 20 microgram/kg/ minute
Dose Adjustment
Adjust dose according to response
Preparation
IV Infusion: Available from CIVAS (KEMH/PCH)
If unavailable prepare the below solution:

Dilution
Dilute 30mg (2.4mL) dobutamine per kg of baby’s weight to 50mL with a compatible fluid
Concentration:
0.5mL/hour = 5 microgram/ kg/ minute
1mL/hour = 10 microgram/ kg/ minute
E.g to prepare an infusion for a 780g infant
Weight = 0.78kg
Dose in Infusion = 30mg x 0.78kg = 23.4mg
Dilute 23.4mg (≈ 1.8mL) to 50mL with a compatible fluid
Administration
Continuous intravenous infusion
Administer via a syringe driver
Compatible Fluids
Sodium Chloride 0.9%, glucose 5%, glucose 10%
Compatibility with heparin
Sodium Chloride 0.9% Glucose 5% Glucose 10%

With heparin 24 hours 24 hours No information
Without heparin 48 hours 48 hours 24 hours
Neonatal Medication Guideline Page 2 of 5

DOBUTamine
Y-Site Compatibility
Refer to KEMH Neonatal Medication Guideline: Y-Site IV Compatibility in Neonates
Side Effects
Common: arrhythmias, hypertension, cutaneous vasodilation, tachycardia at high doses,

tachycardia
Serious: tissue ischaemia, hypotension if patient is hypovolemic
Interactions
Incompatible with acyclovir, benzylpenicillin, cefotaxime, sodium bicarbonate, indomethacin,

piperacillin/tazobactam
Monitoring
Continuous heart rate, blood pressure and electrocardiogram. When possible monitor cardiac
output. Consider monitoring urine output and serum potassium (potential risk of hypokalaemia).
Comments
Solutions of dobutamine may be pink and the colour will increase with time. There is no significant
loss of potency over 24 hours. Discard solutions that are hazy or contain particles.
Infusion into a central line is preferred to minimise risk of extravasation.
Related Policies, Procedures & Guidelines

CAHS Clinical Practice Guidelines:
Cardiac: Neonatal circulation changes/unbalanced circulation
References
Taketomo CK, Hodding JH, Kraus DM. Pediatric & neonatal dosage handbook with international
trade names index : a universal resource for clinicians treating pediatric and neonatal patients.
24th ed. Hudson (Ohio): Lexicomp; 2021
Phelps SJ, Hagemann TM, Lee KR, Thompson AJ. Pediatric Injectable Drugs: The Teddy Bear
Book. American Society of Health-System Pharmacists; 2018 [cited 2021 Sep 30].
Truven Health Analytics. Dobutamine. In: Micromedex [Internet]. Greenwood Village (CO):
Truven Health Analytics; 2020 [cited 2021 Sep 30]. Available from:
http://www.micromedexsolutions.com/

DOBUTamine
Society of Hospital Pharmacists of Australia. Dobutamine. In: Australian Injectable Drugs

Handbook [Internet]. [St Leonards, New South Wales]: Health Communication Network; 2021
[cited 2021 Sep 30]. Available from: http://aidh.hcn.com.au
Petrovski M, Cheng S. Physical compatibility of dobutamine with heparin, in glucose and sodium
chloride vehicles in a NCCU environment. Jun 2014. GEKO 6559 (cited Sep 2021)

DOBUTamine
Keywords DOBUTamine, cardiac shock, hypotension, inotrope

Document Head of Department - Neonatology
Owner:
Author/ KEMH & PCH Pharmacy/Neonatology Directorate
Reviewer
Version V4.0
Info:
Date First March 2008 Last Reviewed: 30/09/2021 Review Date: 30/09/2024
Issued:
Endorsed Neonatal Directorate Management Group Date: 30/09/2024
by:
NSQHS
Standards Std 1: Clinical Governance Std 5: Comprehensive Care
Applicable:
Std 2: Partnering with Consumers Std 6: Communicating for Safety
Std 3: Preventing and Controlling Std 7: Blood Management

Healthcare Associated Infection
Std 4: Medication Safety Std 8: Recognising and

Responding to Acute Deterioration
Printed or personally saved electronic copies of this document are considered uncontrolled.
Access the current version from WNHS HealthPoint.
The health impact upon Aboriginal people has been considered, and where relevant incorporated and
appropriately addressed in the development of this document (insert ISD Number). (Please refer to the
Aboriginal Health Impact Statement and Declaration for Department of Health and Health Service
Provider Guidelines – please delete once you have completed this).
This document can be made available in alternative formats on request for a person with a disability.
© Women and Newborn Health Service 2020
Copyright of this material is vested in the State of Western Australia unless otherwise indicated. Apart
from any fair dealing for the purposes of private study, research, criticism or review, as permitted under
the provisions of the Copyright Act 1968, no part may be reproduced or re-used for any purposes
whatsoever without written permission of the State of Western Australia.

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NEONATAL MEDICATION GUIDELINE

HIGH RISK Medication

Initially 5 microgram/ kg/ minute then titrate according to response

Maximum 20 microgram/kg/ minute

Management of hypotension and hypoperfusion

Initially 5 microgram/ kg/ minute then titrate according to response

Maximum 20 microgram/kg/ minute

Adjust dose according to response

IV Infusion: Available from CIVAS (KEMH/PCH)

If unavailable prepare the below solution:

0.5mL/hour = 5 microgram/ kg/ minute

1mL/hour = 10 microgram/ kg/ minute

E.g to prepare an infusion for a 780g infant

Dose in Infusion = 30mg x 0.78kg = 23.4mg

Dilute 23.4mg (≈ 1.8mL) to 50mL with a compatible fluid

Continuous intravenous infusion

Administer via a syringe driver

Sodium Chloride 0.9%, glucose 5%, glucose 10%

Compatibility with heparin

Sodium Chloride 0.9% Glucose 5% Glucose 10%

Neonatal Medication Guideline Page 2 of 5

Refer to KEMH Neonatal Medication Guideline: Y-Site IV Compatibility in Neonates

Common: arrhythmias, hypertension, cutaneous vasodilation, tachycardia at high doses,

Serious: tissue ischaemia, hypotension if patient is hypovolemic

Incompatible with acyclovir, benzylpenicillin, cefotaxime, sodium bicarbonate, indomethacin,

Infusion into a central line is preferred to minimise risk of extravasation.

Related Policies, Procedures & Guidelines

Neonatal Medication Guideline Page 3 of 5

Society of Hospital Pharmacists of Australia. Dobutamine. In: Australian Injectable Drugs

Neonatal Medication Guideline Page 4 of 5

Keywords DOBUTamine, cardiac shock, hypotension, inotrope

Std 3: Preventing and Controlling Std 7: Blood Management

Std 4: Medication Safety Std 8: Recognising and

Neonatal Medication Guideline Page 5 of 5

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