Brand Names: Primacor

Generic Name: milrinone (Pronunciation: MIL ri none)

• What is milrinone (Primacor IV)?
• What are the possible side effects of milrinone (Primacor IV)?
• What is the most important information I should know about milrinone (Primacor IV)?
• What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before I receive milrinone (Primacor IV)?
• How is milrinone given (Primacor IV)?
• What happens if I miss a dose (Primacor IV)?
• What happens if I overdose (Primacor IV)?
• What should I avoid after receiving milrinone (Primacor IV)?
• What other drugs will affect milrinone (Primacor IV)?
• Where can I get more information?

What is milrinone (Primacor IV)?

Milrinone is a vasodilator that works by relaxing the muscles in your blood vessels to help them dilate (widen). This lowers blood pressure and allows blood to flow more easily through your veins and arteries.

Milrinone is used as a short-term treatment for treat life-threatening heart failure.

Milrinone may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.

What are the possible side effects of milrinone (Primacor IV)?

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Tell your caregivers at once if you have a serious side effect such as:

• chest pain;
• feeling like you might pass out;
• bronchospasm (wheezing, chest tightness, trouble breathing); or
• low potassium (confusion, uneven heart rate, extreme thirst, increased urination, leg discomfort, muscle weakness or limp feeling).

Less serious side effects may include:

• headache;
• tremors; or
• easy bruising or bleeding.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Read the Primacor IV (milrinone) Side Effects Center for a complete guide to possible side effects »

What is the most important information I should know about milrinone (Primacor IV)?

You should not receive this medication if you are allergic to milrinone, or if you have recently had a heart attack.

If possible before you receive milrinone, tell your doctor if you have a heart rhythm disorder or low levels of potassium in your blood (hypokalemia), or if you are pregnant or breast-feeding.

In an emergency situation, it may not be possible before you are treated to tell your caregivers about any health conditions you have or if you are pregnant or breast-feeding. However, make sure any doctor caring for you afterward knows that you have received this medication.

Tell your doctor about all other medications you use, especially digoxin (digitalis, Lanoxin, Lanoxicaps), or a diuretic (water pill).

While receiving milrinone, tell your caregivers at once if you have a serious side effect such as chest pain, feeling like you might pass out, wheezing or trouble breathing, confusion, uneven heart rate, extreme thirst, increased urination, leg discomfort, or muscle weakness.