Shortage of injectable dobutamine

The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists reports a shortage of injectable dobutamine. This drug increases the force with which the heart muscle contracts, making it possible for the heart to pump more blood without having to increase the rate at which it contracts. In other words, your pulse stays the same. WARNING: This is true for about 90% of the people given dobutamine. The other 10% may have both increased heart rate and blood pressure. Since dobutamine works on beta-receptors in the muscle, it is ineffective if you have recently taken a beta-blocker.

This is yet another shortage caused by Ben Venue's voluntary closure of its manufacturing facility, where it manufactured this drug on contract for Bedford Laboratories. There are two remaining manufacturers - Hospira cites unspecified manufacturing delays and Baxter does not give a reason for its shortage.

Dobutamine is used after heart surgery to help the heart recover, and is also given to people with heart failure to help keep blood flowing as well as possible.