Dobutamine is a sympathomimetic drug used in the treatment of heart failure and cardiogenic shock. Dobutamine hydrochloride is a direct-acting inotropic agent whose primary activity results from stimulation of the ß-receptors of the heart while producing comparatively mild chronotropic, hypertensive, arrhythmogenic, and vasodilative effects. It does not cause the release of endogenous norepinephrine, as does dopamine. Dobutamine directly stimulates beta-1 receptors of the heart to increase myocardial contractility and stroke volume, resulting in increased cardiac output. Dobutamine Injection, USP is 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.

Dopamine, a sympathomimetic amine vasopressor, is the naturally occurring immediate precursor of norepinephrine. G protein-coupled dopamine receptors (D1, D2, D3, D4, and D5) mediate all of the physiological functions of the catecholaminergic neurotransmitter dopamine, ranging from voluntary movement and reward to hormonal regulation and hypertension. Dopamine HCl is indicated for the correction of hemodynamic imbalances present in the shock syndrome due to myocardial infarction, trauma, endotoxic septicemia, open-heart surgery, renal failure, and chronic cardiac decompensation as in congestive failure.

Dihydrexidine, a novel full efficacy D1 dopamine receptor agonist. Dihydrexidine was shown to stimulate cyclic AMP synthesis just as well or better than dopamine. It was the first dopamine D1 receptor agonist that had potent antiparkinsonian activity in a primate model of Parkinson's disease. Dihydrexidine produces hypothermia. Dihydrexidine has been shown to alleviate cognitive deficits or enhance cognitive performance in a number of animal models of cognition. It is under investigation for the improving the cognitive and working memory deficits in schizophrenia and schizotypal disorder.