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As Bob Fink states, dopamine given intravenously is used to raise blood pressure. If given orally or intravenously, dopamine does not get into the brain, as it cannot cross the blood brain barrier. That is why Carbidopa/levodopa is made with levodopa. Levodopa is the PRECURSOR for dopamine, and levodopa does get into the brain where it can be converted to dopamine and exert its beneficial effect in Parkinson's. Jorge Romero ----- Original Message ----- From: "Robert A. Fink, M. D." <[log in to unmask]> To: <[log in to unmask]> Sent: Wednesday, July 17, 2002 10:16 AM Subject: Re: dopamine in ER? > Date sent: Tue, 16 Jul 2002 23:09:14 EDT > Send reply to: Parkinson's Information Exchange Network > <[log in to unmask]> > From: Agnes Waters <[log in to unmask]> > Subject: dopamine in ER? > To: [log in to unmask] > > > Has anyone else heard dopamine ordered for incoming emergency room > > patients in medical TV shows, such as "ER"? > > > > It seems to be a routine order, and I wondered, if it is given to > > actual patients in an ER setting, what effect does it have? And how > > does it work? > > > > Perhaps I should never watch another medical TV show (probably not a > > bad idea). Conversely, I could call Dr. Dean Edell... > > > > Thanks. > > A. Waters > > > Dopamine, used in the above context, is for the emergency support of > blood pressure in cases of shock (due to various causes). It has > nothing to do with Parkinson's disease in this setting. > > Best, > > Bob > ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn