Dopamine Sideffects

Common side effects include worsening kidney function, an irregular heartbeat, chest pain, vomiting, headache, or anxiety.^[4] If it enters into the soft tissue around the vein local tissue death may occur.^[4] The medication phentolamine can be given to try to decrease this risk.^[4] It is unclear if dopamine is safe to use during pregnancy or breastfeeding.^[4]

At low doses dopamine mainly triggers dopamine receptors and β1-adrenergic receptors while at high doses it works via α-adrenergic receptors.^[4]