Pharmacology and therapeutic use of low-dose dopamine.

The renal pharmacologic effects of intravenous dopamine in doses of 0.5-3.0 micrograms/kg/min include increases in renal blood flow, glomerular filtration rate, solute excretion, and urine flow. Clinical studies revealed that low-dose dopamine can reverse oliguria, but these studies were poorly controlled, were confounded by the use of other diuretics, had small patient populations, and often did not evaluate mortality or long-term renal function. When used in low doses, side effects are rarely seen. Because of dopamine's effect on hepatic and renal function, changes in drug clearance may occur. Low-dose dopamine may be considered in the early course of oliguric patients; however, specific advantages over other diuretic therapy have not been established.