Droperidol and Restlessness: What Users Say

• 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"

• MWH...
• August 10, 2022

For Nausea/Vomiting "DO NOT LET THE EMERGENCY ROOM GIVE THIS TO YOU FOR A MIGRAINE!!!! I was given this drug for a migraine via IV in the ER. Five minutes after taking it, I tried ripping the IV out of my arm and tried pulling my hair out. I felt like there were bugs crawling under my skin and couldn’t stop moving my body. It felt like restless leg syndrome x10. I nearly walked out of the hospital in my gown and could hardly control myself. I was scratching my skin and everything. Because of this medication, I developed akathisia and had it for months before it went away. I still get it every now and then. This medication is dangerous and should be taken off the market. There is a reason this drug only has 1 star."

• 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."

• 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."

• 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!"

• Dro...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 24, 2023

"Felt like I wanted to die, I felt so uncomfortable, felt like my skin was crawling, and made me extremely restless. I had extreme nausea, I couldn't think properly, and I felt extremely depressed. I am still having impacts five days later. The stupid hospital gave it to me for “pain,” but it’s definitely not a pain med and should never be used for pain! It made my migraine even worse and gave me more pain and sorrow than before I took it."

• Bad...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 15, 2021

For Nausea/Vomiting "I went to the emergency room because I was having sickle cell pain, and the pain meds they were giving me were not working. The doctor wanted to try droperidol. The doctor said this can also work for pain, even though it’s usually used for nausea and vomiting. I was okay with any meds that would take my pain away. Seconds after the nurse gave it to me through the IV, my body felt weird. My legs and arms were so restless I couldn’t keep still in bed. I left my room because I couldn’t stay in one spot. My heart was beating fast, it made me feel really hyper. I was really hot. It made me sleepy, but my mind and body wouldn’t let me sleep, and my pain never went away at all. I went through this for a whole day, feeling so horrible... in my opinion, this is not a good drug!"

• Dia...
• February 11, 2016

Droperidol for Nausea/Vomiting "I received Inapsine or droperidol in an ER visit to assess a small gastric bleed related to gastroparesis. The nausea and vomiting had persisted for 2 days. However, within 10 minutes of the drug administration, I became severely restless and unable to remain in the bed. I suffered the worst episode of restless leg syndrome in my life, but it involved my upper body and arms, too! I paced, stretched, and moved constantly, trying to achieve some comfort. I became repeatedly tangled in the IV tubing. Finally, I relaxed after having received several IV or IM doses of diazepam. I remained awake at home until the following morning."

• 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."

• 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."