Droperidol

Administration

Adult Dosing

Combative patient

  • 5-10mg IV
  • 10mg IM

Headache

  • 2.5mg IV or 2.5-5mg IM

Nausea/vomiting

  • 0.625-2.5mg IV

Pediatric Dosing

Nausea/vomiting

  • 2-12yo: 0.015-0.1mg/kg IV/IM

Special Populations

  • Pregnancy Rating: C
  • Lactation risk: Infant risk cannot be ruled out
  • Renal dosing: Administer with caution
  • Hepatic dosing: Administer with caution

Contraindications

  • Allergy to class/drug
  • Known or suspected prolonged QT

Adverse Reactions

Serious

  • Prolonged QT, torsades, ventricular tachycardia, cardiac arrest
    • Note: effect on QT interval is dose-dependent
  • Neuroleptic malignant syndrome
  • Anaphylaxis

Common

  • Somnolence, dysphoria
  • Anxiety, restlessness, hyperactivity
  • Hypotension
  • Tachycardia

Pharmacology

  • Half-life: 123-147m (adults), 75-127m (children)
  • Metabolism: hepatic
  • Excretion: mostly renal

Mechanism of Action

  • Dopamine (D2) antagonist. Some serotonergic, histaminergic, and α-adrenergic effect

Comments

See Also

References