Droperidol

Generic Name: droperidol

Dopamine-2 Receptor Antagonist [EPC]Over-the-Counter (OTC)

Brand Names:

Droperidol

DESCRIPTION Droperidol Injection, USP, is a sterile, non-pyrogenic, aqueous solution for intravenous or intramuscular use only. Each mL contains: Droperidol…………………………………….2.5 mg Water for Injection………………………........q.s. pH adjusted between 3.0 and 3.8 with lactic acid and, if necessary, with sodium hydroxide. Droperidol is a neuroleptic (tranquilizer) agent.

Overview

DESCRIPTION Droperidol Injection, USP, is a sterile, non-pyrogenic, aqueous solution for intravenous or intramuscular use only. Each mL contains: Droperidol…………………………………….2.5 mg Water for Injection………………………........q.s. pH adjusted between 3.0 and 3.8 with lactic acid and, if necessary, with sodium hydroxide. Droperidol is a neuroleptic (tranquilizer) agent.

Uses

INDICATIONS AND USAGE Droperidol Injection is indicated to reduce the incidence of nausea and vomiting associated with surgical and diagnostic procedures.

Dosage

DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION Dosage should be individualized . Some of the factors to be considered in determining the dose are age, body weight, physical status, underlying pathological condition, use of other drugs, type of anesthesia to be used, and the surgical procedure involved. Vital signs and ECG should be monitored routinely. Adult Dosage: The maximum recommended initial dose of droperidol is 2.5 mg IM or slow IV. Additional 1.25 mg doses of droperidol may be administered to achieve the desired effect. However, additional doses should be administered with caution, and only if the potential benefit outweighs the potential risk.

Side Effects

ADVERSE REACTIONS QT interval prolongation, torsade de pointes, cardiac arrest, and ventricular tachycardia have been reported in patients treated with droperidol. Some of these cases were associated with death. Some cases occurred in patients with no known risk factors, and some were associated with droperidol doses at or below recommended doses. Physicians should be alert to palpitations, syncope, or other symptoms suggestive of episodes of irregular cardiac rhythm in patients taking droperidol and promptly evaluate such cases (see WARNINGS, Effects on Cardiac Conduction ). The most common somatic adverse reactions reported to occur with droperidol are mild to moderate hypotension and tachycardia, but these effects usually subside without treatment.

Interactions

Drug Interactions Potentially Arrhythmogenic Agents: Any drug known to have the potential to prolong the QT interval should not be used together with droperidol. Possible pharmacodynamic interactions can occur between droperidol and potentially arrhythmogenic agents such as class I or III antiarrhythmics, antihistamines that prolong the QT interval, antimalarials, calcium channel blockers, neuroleptics that prolong the QT interval, and antidepressants. Caution should be used when patients are taking concomitant drugs known to induce hypokalemia or hypomagnesemia as they may precipitate QT prolongation and interact with droperidol. These would include diuretics, laxatives and supraphysiological use of steroid hormones with mineralocorticoid potential.

Warnings

WARNING Cases of QT prolongation and/or torsade de pointes have been reported in patients receiving droperidol at doses at or below recommended doses. Some cases have occurred in patients with no known risk factors for QT prolongation and some cases have been fatal. WARNINGS Droperidol should be administered with extreme caution in the presence of risk factors for development of prolonged QT syndrome, such as: 1) clinically significant bradycardia (less than 50 bpm), 2) any clinically significant cardiac disease, 3) treatment with Class I and Class III antiarrhythmics, 4) treatment with monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOI's), 5) concomitant treatment with other drug products known to prolong the QT interval (see PRECAUTIONS, Drug Interactions ), and 6) electrolyte imbalance, in particular hypokalemia and hypomagnesemia, or concomitant treatment with drugs (e.g., diuretics) that may cause electrolyte imbalance. CONTRAINDICATIONS Droperidol is contraindicated in patients with known or suspected QT prolongation (i.e., QTc interval greater than 440 msec for males or 450 msec for females). This would include patients with congenital long QT syndrome. Droperidol is contraindicated in patients with known hypersensitivity to the drug.

Pregnancy

Pregnancy Category C. Droperidol administered intravenously has been shown to cause a slight increase in mortality of the newborn rat at 4.4 times the upper human dose. At 44 times the upper human dose, mortality rate was comparable to that for control animals. Following intramuscular administration, increased mortality of the offspring at 1.8 times the upper human dose is attributed to CNS depression in the dams who neglected to remove placentae from their offspring. Droperidol has not been shown to be teratogenic in animals.

Storage

HOW SUPPLIED Droperidol Injection USP, (2.5 mg/mL) is available as: Product No. Strength Size How Packaged NDC 0517-9702-25 5 mg/2 mL 2 mL Single Dose Vial Boxes of 25 Store at 20° to 25°C (68° to 77°F); excursions permitted to 15° to 30°C (59° to 86°F) (See USP Controlled Room Temperature). PROTECT FROM LIGHT. RETAIN IN CARTON UNTIL TIME OF USE.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Droperidol used for?

INDICATIONS AND USAGE Droperidol Injection is indicated to reduce the incidence of nausea and vomiting associated with surgical and diagnostic procedures.

What are the side effects of Droperidol?

ADVERSE REACTIONS QT interval prolongation, torsade de pointes, cardiac arrest, and ventricular tachycardia have been reported in patients treated with droperidol. Some of these cases were associated with death. Some cases occurred in patients with no known risk factors, and some were associated with droperidol doses at or below recommended doses. Physicians should be alert to palpitations, syncope, or other symptoms suggestive of episodes of irregular cardiac rhythm in patients taking droperidol and promptly evaluate such cases (see WARNINGS, Effects on Cardiac Conduction ). The most common somatic adverse reactions reported to occur with droperidol are mild to moderate hypotension and tachycardia, but these effects usually subside without treatment.

Can I take Droperidol during pregnancy?

Pregnancy Category C. Droperidol administered intravenously has been shown to cause a slight increase in mortality of the newborn rat at 4.4 times the upper human dose. At 44 times the upper human dose, mortality rate was comparable to that for control animals. Following intramuscular administration, increased mortality of the offspring at 1.8 times the upper human dose is attributed to CNS depression in the dams who neglected to remove placentae from their offspring. Droperidol has not been shown to be teratogenic in animals.

What are the important warnings for Droperidol?

WARNING Cases of QT prolongation and/or torsade de pointes have been reported in patients receiving droperidol at doses at or below recommended doses. Some cases have occurred in patients with no known risk factors for QT prolongation and some cases have been fatal. WARNINGS Droperidol should be administered with extreme caution in the presence of risk factors for development of prolonged QT syndrome, such as: 1) clinically significant bradycardia (less than 50 bpm), 2) any clinically significant cardiac disease, 3) treatment with Class I and Class III antiarrhythmics, 4) treatment with monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOI's), 5) concomitant treatment with other drug products known to prolong the QT interval (see PRECAUTIONS, Drug Interactions ), and 6) electrolyte imbalance, in particular hypokalemia and hypomagnesemia, or concomitant treatment with drugs (e.g., diuretics) that may cause electrolyte imbalance. CONTRAINDICATIONS Droperidol is contraindicated in patients with known or suspected QT prolongation (i.e., QTc interval greater than 440 msec for males or 450 msec for females). This would include patients with congenital long QT syndrome. Droperidol is contraindicated in patients with known hypersensitivity to the drug.

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Medical Disclaimer

This drug information is for educational purposes only and should not replace professional medical advice. Drug information is sourced from the FDA National Drug Code Directory and Structured Product Labeling. Always consult with a healthcare provider before starting, stopping, or changing any medication.