Brand name: Inapsine
Drug class: Anxiolytics, Sedatives, and Hypnotics; Miscellaneous
VA class: CN205
CAS number: 548-73-2

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com on Jun 12, 2023. Written by ASHP.

Introduction

Butyrophenone derivative; structurally similar to haloperidol; pharmacologically similar to haloperidol and phenothiazines.

Uses for Droperidol

Nausea and Vomiting Associated with Surgical and Diagnostic Procedures

Reduction of the incidence of nausea and vomiting associated with surgical and diagnostic procedures. Because of the risk of serious, sometimes fatal proarrhythmic effects, use only in patients who fail to respond adequately (because of insufficient efficacy or intolerable adverse effects) to other antiemetic therapy. (See Boxed Warning.)

Adjunct to Anesthesia and Neuroleptanalgesia

Has been used preoperatively^{† [off-label]} and as an adjunct during induction and maintenance of general anesthesia^{† [off-label]} and as an adjunct to regional anesthesia^{† [off-label]}; also has been used in combination with an opiate analgesic (e.g., fentanyl) for neuroleptanalgesia^{† [off-label]} as an anxiolytic and to potentially increase the opiate analgesic effect. No longer recommended for these uses because of the risk of serious adverse effects.

Nausea and Vomiting Associated with Cancer Chemotherapy

Has been used effectively alone or in combination antiemetic regimens to prevent and/or reduce cancer chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting^{† [off-label]}, principally that induced by cisplatin.

Delirium

Occasionally used in the management of delirium^†; has been effective in the management of agitation (not necessarily delirium) and may be preferred to haloperidol in some delirious patients due to shorter half-life, more rapid onset of effect, and increased sedative effects.

Related/similar drugs

ondansetron, hydroxyzine, lorazepam, dexamethasone, olanzapine, Zofran, promethazine

Droperidol Dosage and Administration

General

• Routinely monitor vital signs and ECG.

Administration

For solution and drug compatibility information, see Compatibility under Stability.

Administer IM or by slow IV injection.

Dosage

Individualize dosage according to the patient’s age, weight, physical status, and underlying pathologic condition. Also consider other drugs, type of anesthesia used, and surgical procedure.

Pediatric Patients

Nausea and Vomiting Associated with Surgical and Diagnostic Procedures

IV or IM

Children 2–12 years of age: Initially, up to 0.1 mg/kg (maximum of 2.5 mg), based on the patient’s age and clinical condition. Administer additional doses with caution and only if potential benefit outweighs potential risk.

Adults

Nausea and Vomiting Associated with Surgical and Diagnostic Procedures

IV or IM

Initially, up to 2.5 mg. Administer additional doses of 1.25 mg with caution to achieve the desired effect, if potential benefit outweighs the potential risk.

Delirium†

IM

Usually, 5 mg.

Prescribing Limits

Pediatric Patients

Nausea and Vomiting Associated with Surgical and Diagnostic Procedures

IV of IM

Children 2–12 years of age: Maximum initial dose of 0.1 mg/kg (up to 2.5 mg) based on age and clinical condition.

Adults

Nausea and Vomiting Associated with Surgical and Diagnostic Procedures

IV or IM

Maximum initial dose: 2.5 mg.

Special Populations

Geriatric, Debilitated, and High-Risk Patients

Reduce initial dose in geriatric, debilitated, or high-risk patients. Carefully adjust subsequent dosage (if needed) according to response and tolerance following the initial dose.

Cautions for Droperidol

Contraindications

• Known or suspected QT interval prolongation (i.e., QT_c interval >440 msec in males, >450 msec in females), including congenital long QT syndrome.

• Known hypersensitivity to droperidol or any ingredient in the formulation.

Warnings/Precautions

Warnings

Prolonged QT Syndrome

QT interval prolongation and serious, sometimes fatal arrhythmias (torsades de pointes, ventricular arrhythmias, cardiac arrest) have occurred. (See Boxed Warning.)

ECG monitoring is recommended; do not use if QT interval prolongation is present.

Use with extreme caution in patients with risk factors for prolonged QT syndrome, including clinically important bradycardia (<50 bpm) or heart disease (e.g., CHF , cardiac hypertrophy); treatment with class I or III antiarrhythmic agents, MAO inhibitors, or other drugs known to prolong the QT interval; electrolyte imbalance (particularly hypomagnesemia or hypokalemia); or treatment with drugs (e.g., diuretics) that may cause electrolyte imbalance.

Promptly evaluate any signs or symptoms suggestive of irregular cardiac rhythm (e.g., palpitations, syncope).

Hypotension

Possibility of severe hypotension; parenteral fluids and other supportive measures should be readily available.

If hypotension occurs, consider possibility of hypovolemia and institute appropriate therapy with IV fluids.

Consider repositioning patient to improve venous return to the heart when operative conditions permit; however, during spinal and peridural anesthesia, placing the patient into a head-down position may result in a higher level of anesthesia than is desirable and may impair venous return to the heart. Because of the possibility of orthostatic hypotension, use care when moving and positioning patients during anesthesia.

If hypotension is not corrected with fluids or repositioning, consider use of pressor agents, but not epinephrine (may paradoxically decrease BP due to droperidol’s α-adrenergic blockade).

CNS Depression

CNS depressant effects; monitor vital signs routinely.

Concurrent Use With Opiate Agonists

When concurrent use of opiates and droperidol is required, administer opiates in reduced dosage. Be familiar with each drug, particularly widely differing durations of action.

Respiratory depression induced by opiates persists longer than analgesic effects. Before ordering opiate analgesics during anesthesia recovery, consider total dosage of administered opiates; if opiates are required during the recovery period, use initially in reduced dosages (as low as one-fourth to one-third of those usually recommended). Keep resuscitative equipment and an opiate antagonist readily available to manage apnea.

Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome (NMS)

NMS (altered consciousness, muscular rigidity, autonomic instability) has occurred.

May be difficult to distinguish NMS from malignant hyperthermia perioperatively; consider prompt dantrolene treatment if increases in temperature, heart rate, and/or carbon dioxide production occur following administration of droperidol.

General Precautions

Anesthesia

Certain forms of conduction anesthesia (e.g., spinal anesthesia, peridural anesthesia) can alter respiration by blocking intercostal nerves and can cause peripheral vasodilation and hypotension; droperidol also has cardiovascular effects.

When droperidol is used to supplement these forms of anesthesia, be prepared to manage physiologic alterations involved.

Hemodynamic Assessments

Droperidol may decrease pulmonary arterial pressure and interfere with interpretation of hemodynamic measurements made during diagnostic or surgical procedures.

Monitoring

Monitor ECG and vital signs regularly.

Effects on EEG

When EEG is used for postoperative monitoring, consider that the EEG pattern returns to normal slowly following droperidol use.

Pheochromocytoma

Severe hypertension and tachycardia have occurred following droperidol administration in patients with diagnosed or suspected pheochromocytoma.

Specific Populations

Pregnancy

Category C.

Use in labor and delivery not recommended.

Lactation

Not known whether droperidol is distributed into milk. Use with caution.

Pediatric Use

Safety and efficacy not established in children <2 years of age.

Geriatric Use

Use with caution; reduce initial dose and carefully adjust subsequent dosage.

Hepatic Impairment

Use with caution.

Renal Impairment

Use with caution.

Common Adverse Effects

Hypotension, tachycardia, dysphoria, postoperative drowsiness, restlessness, hyperactivity, anxiety, extrapyramidal reactions (dystonia, akathisia, oculogyric crisis).

Drug Interactions

Drugs That Prolong QT Interval

Risk of prolonged QT interval and potentially serious or life-threatening arrhythmias. Avoid concomitant use of droperidol with drugs known to prolong the QT interval.

Specific Drugs

Droperidol Pharmacokinetics

Absorption

Onset

Onset occurs within 3–10 minutes following IM or IV administration, but peak effects may not be apparent until 30 minutes.

Duration

Following IM or IV administration, sedative and tranquilizing effects generally persist for 2–4 hours; alteration of consciousness may persist for up to 12 hours.

Distribution

Extent

Reportedly crosses the blood-brain barrier and is distributed into the CSF.

Reportedly crosses the placenta; not known whether droperidol is distributed into milk.

Elimination

Metabolism

Metabolized in the liver.

Elimination Route

Droperidol and its metabolites are excreted in urine (10% as unchanged drug) and feces.

Stability

Storage

Parenteral

Injection

15–25°C; protect from light.

Compatibility

Parenteral

Solution CompatibilityHID

Drug CompatibilityHID

Actions

• Exhibits strong sedative and tranquilizing effects. Potentiates the actions of other CNS depressants but apparently has no analgesic activity.

• Has antiemetic activity.

• Acts principally at CNS subcortical levels; may cause extrapyramidal reactions.

• Exhibits some α-adrenergic blocking activity; attenuates the cardiovascular response to sympathomimetic amines (e.g., reduces pressor effect of epinephrine).

• Direct peripheral vasodilatory effects, alone or in conjunction with α-adrenergic blockade, may cause hypotension and decreased peripheral vascular resistance.

• May decrease pulmonary arterial pressure (particularly if abnormally high).

• May reduce the incidence of epinephrine-induced arrhythmias but does not appear to prevent other arrhythmias.

Advice to Patients

• Importance of informing clinicians of existing or contemplated concomitant therapy, including prescription and OTC drugs, as well as any concomitant illnesses or alcohol use.

• Importance of avoiding alcohol during therapy due to risk of additive effects.

• Importance of women informing clinicians if they are or plan to become pregnant or to breast-feed.

• Importance of informing patients of other important precautionary information. (See Cautions.)

Preparations

Excipients in commercially available drug preparations may have clinically important effects in some individuals; consult specific product labeling for details.

Please refer to the ASHP Drug Shortages Resource Center for information on shortages of one or more of these preparations.

* available from one or more manufacturer, distributor, and/or repackager by generic (nonproprietary) name

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