Low‐dose dopamine inhibits peripheral chemoreceptors and attenuates the hypoxic ventilatory response (HVR) in humans. However, it is unknown whether it also modulates: (1) the hemodynamic reactions to acute hypoxia, (2) cardiac baroreflex sensitivity (BRS) and (3) if there is any effect of dopamine withdrawal. We performed a double‐blinded, placebo controlled study on 11 healthy male volunteers. At sea level over two days every subject was administered low‐dose dopamine (2 mcg/kg/min) or saline infusion, during which we assessed both ventilatory and hemodynamic responses to acute hypoxia. Separately, we evaluated effects of initiation and withdrawal of each infusion and BRS. The initiation of dopamine infusion did not affect minute ventilation (MV) and mean blood pressure (MAP), but increased both heart rate (HR) and cardiac output. Concomitantly it decreased systemic vascular resistance. Dopamine blunted the ventilatory, MAP and HR reactions (hypertension, tachycardia) to acute hypoxia. Dopamine attenuated cardiac BRS to falling blood pressure. Dopamine withdrawal evoked an increase in MV. The magnitude of the increment in MV due to dopamine withdrawal correlated with the size of the HVR and depended on the duration of dopamine administration. The ventilatory reaction to dopamine withdrawal constitutes a novel index of peripheral chemoreceptor function. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved