inotropic agent

drug

Also known as: Inotropic drug

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July 23, 2026

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An inotropic agent is a substance that affects the force of muscular contractions, particularly in the heart. These agents can either increase (positive inotropic effect) or decrease (negative inotropic effect) the strength of these contractions.12

Cardiovascular drugs, which act on the heart and blood vessels, are widely used in medicine. Inotropic agents are a type of cardiovascular drug. For example, cardiac glycosides like digoxin, derived from foxglove, are positive inotropic agents used to manage heart failure by increasing the heart's contraction force. Other positive inotropic agents include dobutamine, which is administered intravenously. Conversely, beta-blockers can have a negative inotropic effect, decreasing contraction force.21

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cardiovascular drug
Contractions
Inotropic agents are drugs that influence the force of contraction of cardiac muscle and thereby affect cardiac output. Drugs have a positive inotropic effect if they increase the force of the heart’s contraction. The cardiac glycosides, substances that occur in the leaves of the foxglove…
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Inotropic agents are drugs that influence the force of contraction of cardiac muscle and thereby affect cardiac output. Drugs have a positive inotropic effect if they increase the force of the heart’s contraction. The cardiac glycosides, substances that occur in the leaves of the foxglove…
Read More