Inapsine Side Effects
Generic name: droperidol
Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Apr 12, 2023.
Note: This document contains side effect information about droperidol. Some dosage forms listed on this page may not apply to the brand name Inapsine.
Applies to droperidol: injection solution.
Warning
Injection route (Solution)
Cases of QT prolongation and/or torsade de pointes, some fatal, have been reported in patients receiving droperidol at doses at or below recommended doses. All patients should undergo a 12-lead ECG prior to administration of droperidol to determine if a prolonged QT interval (i.e., QTc greater than 440 msec for males or 450 msec for females) is present. Do not administer droperidol if there is a prolonged QT interval. Droperidol is contraindicated in patients with known or suspected QT prolongation, including patients with congenital long QT syndrome. Administer droperidol with extreme caution to patients who may be at risk for development of prolonged QT syndrome, are over 65 years old, abuse alcohol, or when used concomitantly with benzodiazepines, volatile anesthetics, and IV opiates. ECG monitoring should be performed prior to treatment and continued for 2 to 3 hours after completing treatment to monitor for arrhythmias.
Serious side effects of Inapsine
Along with its needed effects, droperidol (the active ingredient contained in Inapsine) may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Check with your doctor or nurse immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking droperidol:
More common
- Blurred vision
- confusion
- dizziness, faintness, or lightheadedness when getting up suddenly from a lying or sitting position
- sweating
- unusual tiredness or weakness
Less common
- Chills
- cough
- difficulty with breathing
- difficulty with swallowing
- dizziness
- fast heartbeat
- noisy breathing
- puffiness or swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes, face, lips, or tongue
- skin rash, hives, or itching
- tightness in the chest
Incidence not known
- Chest pain or discomfort
- fainting
- fast, pounding, or irregular heartbeat or pulse
- irregular or slow heart rate
- low blood pressure or pulse
- severe confusion or loss of consciousness
Other side effects of Inapsine
Some side effects of droperidol may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects.
Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:
More common
- Anxiety
- drowsiness
- restlessness
- trouble sitting still
Incidence not known
- Difficulty with speaking
- drooling
- loss of balance control
- muscle trembling, jerking, or stiffness
- seeing, hearing, or feeling things that are not there
- shuffling walk
- stiffness of the limbs
- twisting movements of the body
- uncontrolled movements, especially of the face, neck, and back
For Healthcare Professionals
Applies to droperidol: compounding powder, injectable solution, intravenous solution.
Cardiovascular
Frequency not reported: Hypotension, irregular cardiac rhythm, mild or moderate tachycardia, QT prolongation, serious arrhythmias (e.g., torsades de pointes), ventricular tachycardia, cardiac arrest, death (some of these side effects occurred in patients with no known risk factors, and some were associated with droperidol (the active ingredient contained in Inapsine) doses at or below recommended doses)[Ref]
Nervous system
Unexplained fever, alteration of consciousness, extrapyramidal dysfunction, autonomic instability and elevated creatine kinase are all symptoms associated with neuroleptic agents. If these symptoms develop in patients receiving droperidol (the active ingredient contained in Inapsine) therapy, immediate discontinuation of the drug is warranted.
Extrapyramidal symptoms such as acute dystonia, parkinsonism, akathisia, and oculogyric crisis have been reported in patients receiving droperidol in doses as low as 0.65 mg. In addition, cases of akathisia have been reported in patients during epidural anesthesia.[Ref]
Frequency not reported: Dysphoria, drowsiness, restlessness, hyperactivity, anxiety, hallucinations, dizziness, extrapyramidal symptoms, neuroleptic malignant syndrome, confusion, nervousness, paresthesia, somnolence, tremor, akathisia, oculogyric crisis, unexplained fever, alteration of consciousness, autonomic instability[Ref]
Respiratory
Frequency not reported: pharyngitis, rhinitis, bronchospasm, laryngospasm (reported as rare)[Ref]
Hypersensitivity
Frequency not reported: Anaphylaxis (uncommon)[Ref]
Local
Frequency not reported : Injection site pain[Ref]
Other
Frequency not reported: Chills and/or shivering, tongue-swelling, sweating[Ref]
More about Inapsine (droperidol)
- Check interactions
- Compare alternatives
- Reviews (6)
- Side effects
- Dosage information
- During pregnancy
- Drug class: miscellaneous central nervous system agents
- Breastfeeding
Patient resources
Professional resources
Related treatment guides
References
1. Product Information. Inapsine (droperidol). Janssen Pharmaceuticals. 2001;PROD.
2. Vice President, Medical Affairs and Worldwide Drug Safety. Important drug warning letter. http://www.fda.gov/medwatch/SAFETY/2001/inapsine.htm 2001.
3. Product Information. Droperidol (droperidol). Abbott Pharmaceutical. 2005.
4. Miyai N, Kawasaki T, Sugihara H, Kayo R. Coronary artery spasm as a cause of droperidol-induced ventricular fibrillation. Anesth Analg. 2006;103:1602-3.
5. Ward NG. Akathisia associated with droperidol during epidural anesthesia. Anesthesiology. 1989;71:786-7.
6. Melnick BM. Extrapyramidal reactions to low-dose droperidol. Anesthesiology. 1988;69:424-6.
7. Patton CM Jr. Rapid induction of acute dyskinesia by droperidol. Anesthesiology. 1975;43:126-7.
8. Bamrah JS. Neuroleptic-induced pyrexia. A benign variant. J Nerv Ment Dis. 1988;176:741-3.
9. Arrowsmith J, Gams RA. Dystonia with droperidol therapy. N Engl J Med. 1981;305:227.
10. Merridew GC, Keefe PA. Presence of extrapyramidal side-effects from droperidol in low dose. Anaesth Intensive Care. 1994;22:319-20.
11. Ratan DA, Smith AH. Neuroleptic malignant syndrome secondary to droperidol. Biol Psychiatry. 1993;34:421-2.
12. Patel P, Bristow G. Postoperative neuroleptic malignant syndrome. A case report. Can J Anaesth. 1987;34:515-8.
13. Holmes VF, Adams F, Fernandez F. Respiratory dyskinesia due to antiemetic therapy in a cancer patient. Cancer Treat Rep. 1987;71:415-6.
14. Szuba MP, Bergman KS, Baxter LR Jr, Guze BH, Reynolds CA, Pelletier LR. Safety and efficacy of high-dose droperidol in agitated patients. J Clin Psychopharmacol. 1992;12:144-6.
15. Athanassiadis C, Karamanis A. Akathisia after long-term epidural use of droperidol: a case report. Pain. 1992;50:203-4.
16. Foster PN, Stickle BR, Laurence AS. Akathisia following low-dose droperidol for antiemesis in day-case patients. Anaesthesia. 1996;51:491-4.
17. Chambers RA, Druss BG. Droperidol: Efficacy and side effects in psychiatric emergencies. J Clin Psychiatry. 1999;60:664-7.
18. Silberstein SD, Young WB, Mendizabal JE, Rothrock JF, Alam AS. Acute migraine treatment with droperidol: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Neurology. 2003;60:315-21.
19. Clark RJ. Tongue-swelling with droperidol. Anaesth Intensive Care. 1993;21:898.
Further information
Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.
Some side effects may not be reported. You may report them to the FDA.
