Dobutamine vs. Lexiscan

Dobutamine and Lexiscan (regadenoson) both increase blood flow for the heart and are used for different purposes.

Dobutamine is used to treat cardiogenic shock and heart failure.

Lexiscan is given in preparation for a radiologic (X-ray) examination of blood flow through the heart to test for coronary artery disease.

Dobutamine is a catecholamine and Lexiscan injection is a stress agent.

Side effects of dobutamine and Lexiscan that are similar include headache and nausea.

Side effects of dobutamine that are different from Lexiscan include increased heart rate and increased blood pressure, ventricular ectopic activity, nervousness, vomiting, palpitations, low platelet counts (thrombocytopenia), and swelling at the injection site.

Side effects of Lexiscan that are different from dobutamine include dizziness, stomach discomfort, decreased sense of taste, mild chest discomfort, shortness of breath, and flushing (warmth, redness, or tingly feeling under your skin).

Dobutamine may interact with beta-blockers and nitroprusside.

Lexiscan may interact with dipyridamole or theophylline.

Common side effects of Dobutamine include:

• increased heart rate and increased blood pressure,
• ventricular ectopic activity,
• nervousness,
• headache,
• nausea,
• vomiting,
• palpitations,
• low platelet counts (thrombocytopenia), or
• swelling at the injection site.

Contact your doctor if you have serious side effects of dobutamine including:

• low blood pressure,
• chest pain (angina),
• fast or slow heartbeat,
• shortness of breath, or
• trouble breathing.

Common side effects of Lexiscan include:

• headache,
• dizziness,
• nausea,
• stomach discomfort,
• decreased sense of taste,
• mild chest discomfort,
• shortness of breath, or
• flushing (warmth, redness, or tingly feeling under your skin).

Dobutamine Injection is a catecholamine indicated when parenteral therapy is necessary for inotropic support in the short-term treatment of adults with cardiac decompensation due to depressed contractility resulting either from organic heart disease or from cardiac surgical procedures.

Lexiscan (regadenoson) injection is a stress agent that works by increasing blood flow in the arteries of the heart given in preparation for a radiologic (x-ray) examination of blood flow through the heart to test for coronary artery disease.

Dobutamine may interact with beta-blockers and nitroprusside. Tell your doctor all medications and supplements you use. Dobutamine should be used during pregnancy only if clearly needed. It is unknown if dobutamine passes into breast milk. If a mother requires dobutamine treatment, breastfeeding should be discontinued for the duration of the treatment.

Lexiscan may interact with dipyridamole or theophylline. Tell your doctor all medications you use. During pregnancy, Lexiscan should be used only if prescribed. It is unknown if this drug passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Consult your doctor before breastfeeding.

The usual adult dosage of Dobutamine ranges from 50 to 200 g in a 24-hour period, but in most instances an adequate response will be achieved at a dosage of approximately 100 g/24 hours.

The recommended intravenous dose of Lexiscan is 5 mL, administered as a rapid (approximately 10 seconds) injection into a peripheral vein.