Effect of ibopamine on peripheral haemodynamics.

Peripheral haemodynamics was studied in healthy volunteers by strain gauge plethysmography after administration of ibopamine (IB), diisobutyric ester of N-methyl-dopamine, an orally active dopaminergic agonist. Seven subjects received a single oral dose of ibopamine of 150 mg and 6 received a daily dose of 150 mg (50 mg t.i.d.) for 5 consecutive days. Arterial resting blood flow and venous capacity increased and peripheral resistance decreased significantly. Six further subjects were then studied; 3 h after an oral dose of ibopamine 150 mg, the parenteral administration of Sulpiride 50 mg, a specific vascular dopaminergic antagonist, was found significantly to counteract its peripheral activity. Heart rate and arterial blood pressure were never affected and tolerability was good.