8.1 Pregnancy Risk Summary There are no human data with dopamine use in pregnant women. There are risks to the mother and fetus from hypotension associated with shock, which can be fatal if left untreated ( see Clinical Considerations ). In animal reproduction studies, adverse developmental outcomes were observed with intravenous dopamine HCl administration in pregnant rats during organogenesis at dosages, on a mcg/m 2 basis, of one-third the human starting dosage of 2 mcg/kg/minute (90 mcg/m 2 /minute). The background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage for the indicated population is unknown. All pregnancies carry some risk of birth defect, loss, or other adverse outcomes. In the U.S. general population, the background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage in clinically recognized pregnancies is 2
• 4% and 15
• 20%, respectively. Clinical Considerations Disease-associated maternal and/or embryo/fetal risk Hypotension associated with distributive shock, or shock due to reduced cardiac output are medical emergencies in pregnancy which can be fatal if left untreated. Delaying treatment in pregnant women with hypotension associated with distributive shock, or shock due to reduced cardiac output may increase the risk of maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality. Life-sustaining therapy for the pregnant woman should not be withheld due to potential concerns regarding the effects of dopamine on the fetus. Labor or Delivery Vasopressor drugs, including dopamine, may cause severe maternal hypertension when used concomitantly with some oxytocic drugs [see Drug Interactions (7) ] . Data Animal Data Animal reproduction studies in rats and rabbits at dopamine HCl dosages up to 6 mg/kg/day intravenously (on a mcg/m 2 basis, one-third and two-thirds, respectively, the human starting dosage of 2 mcg/kg/minute) during organogenesis produced no detectable teratogenic or embryotoxic effects, although maternal toxicity consisting of mortalities, decreased body weight g... [See full FDA label]