Inotropic therapy, also known as heart pump medication, stimulates an injured or weakened heart to pump harder. The primary purpose of this medication is to increase the force of the heart muscle's contractions. Inotropic therapy may also speed up the heart's rhythm.
Recommended Related to Heart Failure
Living With Advanced Heart Failure
There’s no cure for congestive heart failure -- not yet anyway. But if you or a loved one is among the 5.8 million Americans living with heart failure, even if it’s advanced, you should know that simple self-care measures can effectively help curb fatigue, shortness of breath, swelling, and other symptoms.In addition to improving their quality of life, heart failure patients who practice good self-care are less likely to wind up in the hospital.“Heart failure is a progressive disease, but the...
Read the Living With Advanced Heart Failure article > >
Heart pump drugs include:
- Dobutrex (dobutamine)
- Primacor (milrinone)
How Should I Take This Heart Failure Drug?
Inotropic therapy for heart failure is first administered in the hospital where you can be closely monitored.
Dobutamine and milrinone are intravenous (through the vein) medications administered by an infusion pump to help ensure the dose is accurate. These drugs may be ordered by your doctor to be given continuously or periodically over 6 to 72 hours, one or more times per week.
Even if you feel well, do not discontinue your inotropic therapy medication from your intravenous catheter line or from your infusion pump without consulting your doctor. If you are discharged from the hospital with an inotropic medication, a home health nurse will provide specific directions on how to care for your intravenous site, catheter, and infusion pump.
What Side Effects Could I Experience?
Notify your doctor or nurse right away the first time any of these side effects occur:
- Headache
- Increased heart rate
- High blood pressure
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Shortness of breath
- Faintness, dizziness, or lightheadedness
- Mild leg cramps or tingling sensation
If any of the following side effects occur, contact your doctor immediately:
- Irregular, fast heartbeat (more than 120 beats per minute)
- Pain or swelling at infusion site
- Fever of 101°F (38.3°C) or higher
- Pump malfunction (then call the pharmacy immediately for a replacement)
Should I Avoid Certain Food or Medicine?
- Carefully follow the low-sodium (low-salt) diet and daily exercise program advised by your doctor.
- Alcohol increases the side effects of these medications and should be avoided.
Other Guidelines for Heart Failure Patients
- Keep all appointments with your doctor and the laboratory so your response to this medication can be monitored.
- Be sure that you always have enough infusion bags of your medication. Check your supply before vacations, holidays, or other occasions when you may be unable to obtain it.
- Never administer other intravenous drugs through the same intravenous line.
- Take precaution to prevent infection while you are taking this drug. Your doctor will give you information on how to prevent infection.