Sometimes, when you have to be hospitalized due to a condition such as heart failure, your doctor may give you a special medicine through an IV to help your heart. Milrinone is one such important medicine that is only given in a hospital. So, let's talk briefly about this medicine, what it does, and what you need to know when it is given.
What kind of medicine is Milrinone?
Simply put, milrinone is a drug that does two main things.
1. Strengthening the heart muscle: This medicine increases the strength of your heart muscle contractions. It's like giving a weak water motor more power and making it pump water better. This allows the heart to pump the amount of blood needed by the body more efficiently.
2. Vasodilator: This medicine also dilates the blood vessels in your body. Imagine that when you widen a water pipe, the pressure on the water decreases and it flows more easily, right? Similarly, when the blood vessels dilate, the heart has to work less to pump blood.
Both of these activities provide great relief to a weakened heart.
Things you need to tell your doctor before giving this medicine
It is very important to give your doctor a complete account of your health condition. Be sure to tell them about these things in particular.
- If you have had a previous heart condition.
- If you have a history of irregular heartbeat.
- If you have kidney disease .
- If you have previously had an allergy to Milrinone or any other medicine, food, or dye.
- If you are pregnant or trying to get pregnant .
- If you are a breastfeeding mother .
Based on this information, the doctor will decide whether this medicine is suitable for you or not.
How is this medicine administered to the body?
This is not a medicine you can take home. Milrinone is an injection that is given into a vein in a hospital or clinic by trained medical staff only.
Usually, when you are in a ward or intensive care unit (ICU), the doctor will inject this medicine into your body like saline through a cannula in your arm. So you don't have to think about how to use it, the medical staff will take care of everything.
Can this medicine be given to children?
Yes, in some special cases, this medicine is also given to children at the doctor's discretion. But it is done very carefully and with special care.
What happens if the dose of the medicine is increased?
Since this medicine is given in a hospital, the chances of an overdose are very low. If such a thing happens, the medical staff will take the necessary measures immediately. You do not need to worry about it. If you want to know what to do if you accidentally take too much medicine, you can take immediate action. In such a case, the normal procedure is to inform the hospital's Emergency Treatment Unit (ETU) or call the National Poison Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital .
Other medications that may interact with this medicine
Some medications can interact with milrinone, so it is very important to tell your doctor about all the medications you are taking.
- Diuretics
- Medicines for high blood pressure, other heart conditions, or irregular heartbeats
Don't forget to tell your doctor about any vitamins, traditional medicines, and supplements you are taking.
Things to be careful about while taking the medicine
The doctors and nursing staff will be watching you very closely throughout the entire time you are given this medicine.
You will be connected to monitors that continuously monitor your heart rate, blood pressure, and other body functions. This allows the medical team to immediately detect any changes in your condition.
What side effects can be expected?
As with any medicine, milrinone can cause some side effects. Some of these are serious and should be reported immediately.
| Classification of side effects | |
|---|---|
| Things to tell your doctor or nurse immediately | |
| Allergy symptoms | Skin rash, itching, swelling of the face, lips or tongue. |
| Chest pain | Any kind of pain or tightness in the heart. |
| Changes in heart rate | Dizziness, very fast or irregular heartbeat, feeling faint, difficulty breathing. |
| Symptoms of low blood pressure | Dizziness, feeling light-headed, feeling unusually tired. |
| Problems at the injection site | Pain, redness, or swelling where the cannula was inserted. |
| Abnormal bleeding | Bruising-like spots on the skin or bleeding that does not stop even from a minor injury. |
| Things that are usually not serious, but should be reported to the doctor if they persist | |
| Headache | Mild to moderate headache. |
| Nausea and vomiting | Stomach upset, nausea, or vomiting. |
This list does not include all possible side effects. If you experience any unusual symptoms, please tell your doctor or nurse immediately.
Take-Home Message
- Milrinone is a special medication that is given intravenously only in a hospital to treat conditions such as heart failure.
- This strengthens the heart muscles, widens the blood vessels, and makes it easier for the heart to pump blood.
- It is imperative that you tell your doctor about all of your medical conditions and other medications you are taking before taking the medication.
- You don't need to worry about your safety because the medical staff will monitor you very closely while you are given this medicine.
- If you experience any side effects such as chest pain, dizziness, or allergic symptoms, inform the medical staff immediately.
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