The safety profile of ibopamine, an alternative substance for treatment of chronic heart failure.

Before a new drug can be recommended for treatment of chronic heart failure, efficacy and safety have to be fulfilled. In this paper, the safety aspect of ibopamine, a congener of dopamine, is investigated by reviewing the available reports on this drug. A trend towards reduced mortality was found for patients with chronic heart failure during long-term treatment. No change in the potassium serum concentration has been found, whereas the plasma renin activity, plasma norepinephrine levels and the aldosterone secretion were decreased. It is concluded that ibopamine is a safe drug which may become an interesting alternative or additive therapy for patients with chronic heart failure.