Droperidol and Anxiety: What Users Say

• Ter...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 17, 2023

For Nausea/Vomiting "I was prescribed this medication in the emergency room for a mild case of nausea, which was not the main reason for my visit. However, within a couple of minutes of taking the medication, I began to writhe uncontrollably, unable to find comfort in anything. I experienced feelings of terror, dread, and extreme despair, and I even contemplated ending my life in any way possible. I am generally a calm person, but this medication had me screaming out loud in panic. My muscles became rigid, my heart rate increased, and I honestly thought I was going to die. I have experienced extreme pain before, but this drug was far worse in every way than any pain I have experienced. I strongly advise against taking this drug. The effects lasted for several days, even after being given Ativan and Benadryl. The experience of taking this drug could easily cause someone to develop PTSD. Please, please do not consent to take this medication when safer alternatives are available."

• hly...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 11, 2022

For Nausea/Vomiting "Worst experience I’ve ever had with a medication. Why is this on the market still? I was convinced this was going to work like magic for my migraine that I was in the ER for. Within minutes of receiving it intravenously, I was extremely sedated, however, my entire insides and body were so incredibly restless. I had to move in every different position and walk around constantly. It was a terrible feeling I don’t wish on anyone. It also made me shake and gave me terrible anxiety. Today is day two, and although lessened, I’m still dealing with all of these side effects. 0/10"

• Kia...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 22, 2022

For Nausea/Vomiting "The worst experience of my life, truly. I went to the hospital having severe upper right quadrant pain, accompanied by nausea and vomiting. Literal seconds after the medicine was injected into my IV, I began to feel lightheaded, with trouble standing. Then the anxiety began. The worst feeling I've ever felt. I'm a long-time sufferer of anxiety. This was worse than anything I've ever felt. I thought I was dying. I couldn't sit still. I began to walk around the hospital bathroom while furiously grinding my teeth and waiting for it to stop. I couldn't talk, I couldn't sit still, I couldn't do anything. I tried to sleep, but my body wouldn't allow me to. I was given Benadryl and discharged. Once I arrived home, I had to run around my room, and this led to 6 or so hours of having to get out of bed, walk around for about 5 minutes, and then close my eyes until my body physically wouldn't allow me to sit still. I was hoping and praying it would soon be over."

• Bla...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 22, 2022

For Nausea/Vomiting "I went to the ER for stomach pain and vomiting and was given an IV of Zofran, Benadryl, and droperidol. THIS WAS THE WORST MISTAKE EVER. I first was sleepy, and due to me having three little children, was unable to rest until they all went to bed, but then later, when I got some sleep the next day, I felt okay, but my legs still seemed weak. Later that day, I suffered a panic attack and have had the worst anxiety I have ever experienced, shakes, restlessness, and constipation. I was prescribed Ativan to help me with anxiety and sleep, but felt that it didn't help like I wanted it to, so now I am headed back to the ER to see if there is anything they can do to make me feel better. I still can't sleep and get upset and have uncontrollable crying because I don't like how my body feels. I have feelings of fear that I won't get better because of my inability to sleep and rest."

• Hya...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 21, 2022

For Nausea/Vomiting "I went to the ER for a very bad migraine and vomiting. Well, moments later I started feeling funny from the shot. Felt like I was out of my body. I clearly told the doctor that I did not want anything that was going to make me feel crazy. Because they have recently given me some strange medication. Well, this one made my chest feel like it was hot. I’ve never experienced anxiety before until I had the medication. And I promise you I was having attacks two days straight every 30 minutes. I could not figure out how to stop them. I’ve been back to the ER and an urgent care, and they did nothing for me. Basically, they were saying I’m just stressed out. Well, the attacks are gone but my body is still weak, and my eyes are also. I’m just trying to get my strength up. But I don’t recommend this mess to anyone. DO NOT TAKE DROPERIDOL."

• Ter...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 20, 2022

For Nausea/Vomiting "I could not sleep for almost a week after taking this drug. It caused so much shaking, anxiety, and did nothing for pain. The room felt like it was going in circles. I would not recommend this to anyone."

• Mon...
• October 9, 2020

For Nausea/Vomiting "I was given droperidol in the ER for a migraine. It was the worst mistake ever! Within minutes of it being administered to me, I felt extremely anxious, my blood pressure shot up, I was having a very hard time breathing, and I felt like I was going to die. The only thing this medicine did for me was make me very groggy. I absolutely hated the way I felt, and I continued to feel some of the side effects the next day. I will NEVER take this medicine again, and I DO NOT recommend it!"

• Mak...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 19, 2023

For Nausea/Vomiting "I had food poisoning, and they gave me this, and it was the worst experience I’ve ever had. About 30 seconds after they gave it, I started to feel so uneasy/restless, and I couldn’t stop moving my body. I had the urge to rip out my IV and leave. I lay on the ER bed and felt like a zombie. I couldn’t put words together, nothing felt real, and I couldn’t even think straight. I stared at the wall for an hour, and every minute felt like an hour. I couldn’t even tell the nurses how I felt. I got in the car and felt so tired, and my eyes were pretty much closed the whole way driving home. Do not drive home after taking this. I got home, and my body felt so tired like I hadn’t slept in a week, but I was so restless and uncomfortable that I couldn’t sleep for many hours. As someone who is terrified of death, I wanted to commit suicide, that’s how badly I wanted this feeling to go away. I can't even describe it. I felt like I needed to escape my own body, and it lasted almost a week."

• Awf...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 23, 2022

For Nausea/Vomiting "I was given droperidol from the ER (after telling them I’m allergic to dopamine blockers) and had an awful allergic reaction. It was injected, after about 5 minutes, I had an incredibly intense panic attack to the point where I was on the verge of screaming. Then my body paralyzed and got incredibly tired, but I was unable to sleep. I feel incredibly restless, sick, anxious, and I’m unable to get any sleep of more than an hour. This drug is awful. I know people will most likely be given this unknowingly as it is awful, but if you are here reading to get some sort of validation/reasoning about why you went through what you did on this drug, I hope this helped. I am on day 3 after being given droperidol, and I have been improving, but do not listen to Google. It seems to be staying longer than “12 hours.”"

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 18, 2022

For Nausea/Vomiting "I went to the E.R. due to arm pain, along with migraine and light nausea. They gave me droperidol along with Tylenol. They took me for a CAT scan minutes later, and that's where the real horror began. My anxiety shot through the roof, my heart started beating out of my chest, I felt completely out of control while the tech and the nurse looked at me like I was the problem. I snatched the IV out, tried to sit down and gather what was happening with me. I left the hospital A.M.A. My husband looked at me in sheer defeat. I got home and couldn't be still. I thought this was the end. I don't recommend this for anyone EVER. This should be illegal everywhere! Three days later, I am still feeling restless, fatigued, dizzy spells, anxiety out of nowhere. This was the worst thing I've ever experienced in my life."

• Rae...
• March 16, 2023

For Nausea/Vomiting "Do not take this medication. I went to the ER a couple of days ago for burning pain in my ribs, and they gave me droperidol in my IV. I immediately felt an impending doom over me and had no desire to live. I felt the highest level of claustrophobia inside my skin. I'm one of the calmest people normally, but I was fighting myself from screaming and ripping my IV off. I wasn't able to communicate how I was feeling or speak much at all. I had to have my sister stay with me 24/7 until now because of how bad my anxiety and panic attacks were. I would choose pain over the feeling that drug gave me any day."

• Smi...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 17, 2021

For Nausea/Vomiting "I was having extreme sharp pain in my upper abdomen, liver, and GB areas at 2 in the AM, so I had to be rushed to the ER. After giving me the droperidol, within the first 2 hours, I felt very groggy and sleepy. Once I woke up, my legs and arms were so restless, I couldn’t keep still or stay in one spot. I was pacing and constantly moving, felt extremely anxious, and was having a very hard time breathing, and I felt like I was going crazy. My heartbeat was elevated (about 100 bpm). I continued to feel some of the side effects later that day, but more intense. My husband called the hospital, told them my symptoms, and they told him that all of my side effects were from the droperidol and for me to take 50 mg of Benadryl. After about an hour, my body and heartbeat finally calmed down, and I fell asleep. Come to find out this drug has interactions with 2 other medications I’m on. We were furious that the doctor didn’t check my records before giving it to me. I will never take this medication again, and I do not recommend!"

• Sim...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 8, 2022

For Nausea/Vomiting "I went to the ER after having a seizure and giving myself a concussion. I was nauseous and had a splitting headache, so they gave me droperidol in an IV with Toradol. The hospital was busy and had no room available, so they put me back in the waiting room with my IV (in a wheelchair you can’t move yourself), and the anxiety was out of this world. I felt this overall sense of something is seriously wrong. I couldn’t STOP moving. I was so uncomfortable. I was trying to crawl out of my skin. Eventually, someone came back to bring me for a CT scan, and I was having a serious panic attack. My heart rate was through the roof. I just kept thinking about how do I get out of here. And when I was done, they brought me BACK to the waiting room, and I eventually pulled out my own IV and left without being discharged. I’ve never experienced anything like this, and I don’t wish it upon anyone. This drug should not be used. It has been over 24 hours, and I still don’t feel normal yet."

• MsC...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 30, 2023

For Nausea/Vomiting "Recently, I went to the emergency room after two days of vomiting and being unable to retain water. At first, I was given Zofran, which I had previously taken for my gallbladder issue and surgery, but it was ineffective in treating my current stomach illness. They then prescribed me droperidol, which relieved my nausea, but shortly after taking it, I began to feel extremely anxious and uncomfortable. I have experienced anxiety before, but the sensation I felt was unbearable. I felt like I was going to have a heart attack. It took several hours and two doses of Benadryl to bring me back to feeling normal again. I would advise caution when considering taking this medication and to thoroughly consider the potential side effects."

• KRo...
• June 6, 2022

"Went to the ER for what I thought was possibly meningitis. Doctor assumed it was a migraine. Nurse never asked and gave me the droperidol. I noticed her giving something and asked what it was. Was surprised when she said it because I thought it had been taken off the market. Immediately started having anxiety, RLS, hot sweats, absolutely miserable. I had hallucinations, the most bizarre dreams. I couldn’t sleep, but I couldn’t keep my eyes open. That was Thursday night, and it is now Sunday night, and I am absolutely miserable still. Panic attack (which I have never had before), absolutely horrible shaking inside and just dread and restlessness. I had a similar experience with Reglan but never realized that they would be the same. I will never allow this drug to be given to me again. The doctor gave me Cogentin to try to stop the side effects, but it didn’t work. It has been the most horrible experience."

• KRo...
• June 6, 2022

"Went to the ER for what I thought was possibly meningitis. Doctor assumed it was a migraine. Nurse never asked and gave me the droperidol. I noticed her giving something and asked what it was. Was surprised when she said it because I thought it had been taken off the market. Immediately started having anxiety, RLS, hot sweats, absolutely miserable. I had hallucinations, the most bizarre dreams. I couldn’t sleep, but I couldn’t keep my eyes open. That was Thursday night, and it is now Sunday night, and I am absolutely miserable still. Panic attack (which I have never had before), absolutely horrible shaking inside and just dread and restlessness. I had a similar experience with Reglan but never realized that they would be the same. I will never allow this drug to be given to me again. The doctor gave me Cogentin to try to stop the side effects, but it didn’t work. It has been the most horrible experience."

• Hi7...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 31, 2022

For Nausea/Vomiting, Postoperative "Do not take this drug. Given to me post-surgery for mild nausea. It made me suicidal, severe anxiety!! It was like living hell. I could not stop pacing the hospital ward, chest pain, blood pressure immediately went up. Suicidal thoughts. Skin crawling, panic. Lasted 3 days. Valium did little to help. I almost ran away from the hospital to try to escape the horror. Worst night of my life."

• Deb...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 22, 2022

For Nausea/Vomiting "Daughter brought into ED for 2nd time for nausea and abdominal pain. After a bunch of negative tests, they suggested Bentyl and droperidol. Immediately, she became anxious and agitated, restless, and couldn't sit still. Her fibro flared up, and her back started hurting. Big behavior change, called the nurse, and he brought in Benadryl, which did help some. It may have decreased her nausea, but not worth the other effects. I don't recommend this med at all."