Droperidol is used to reduce nausea and vomiting during surgeries and diagnostic procedures.
What is Droperidol?
Droperidol is a tranquilizer. Its exact mechanism of action has not yet been identified.
How should Droperidol be taken?
Droperidol is administered intramuscularly via injection or intravenously via infusion.
Side effects associated with Droperidol
Droperidol may increase the risk of neuroleptic malignant syndrome.
Among the other possible side effects of droperidol include the following:
- Anxiety
- Drowsiness
- Hyperactivity
- Restlessness
It is important to contact a doctor immediately if you experience:
- Rash
- Urticaria
- Itch
- Difficulty breathing
- Tightness in the chest
- Swelling of the mouth, face, lips, throat or tongue
- Difficulty speaking or swallowing
- Dizziness
- Fainting
- Rapid heartbeat
- Hallucinations
- Headache
- Feeling faint or lightheaded
- Loss of balance
- Feeling of shots to the chest
- Face or tongue tics
- Uncontrollable movements of the arms or legs
Contraindications and warnings associated with the use of Droperidol
Droperidol may be contraindicated in case of abnormal heart rhythms (even if only suspected), severe central nervous system depression or if you are taking astemizole, cisapride, ketolide, macrolides, terfenadine or sodium oxybate. The drug is also contraindicated in children under the ages of two years old.
Before starting treatment with droperidol, it is important to tell your doctor if:
- You have any allergies to the active substance, its excipients, or to any other drugs, food and various substances
- You are taking any other medications, herbal remedies or supplements. Mentioning in particular: antiarrhythmics, arsenic, astemizole, cisapride, cyclobenzaprine, dofetilide, halofantrine, ketolide, macrolides, ondansetron, phenothiazines, quinidine, quinolones, streptogramins, terfenadine, tricyclic and tetracyclic antidepressants, ziprasidone, sodium oxybate, ethanol or metoclopramide
- You are suffering (or have suffered) from liver problems, kidney or heart problems, low levels of magnesium or potassium in the blood or pheochromocytoma
- You are suffered from (or have suffered) from alcohol abuse
- You are pregnant or breast-feeding
Droperidol may impair the ability to drive or operate hazardous machinery. This side effect may be aggravated by Alcohol and certain other medications.
It is important to inform physicians, surgeons and dentists of any ongoing treatment with droperidol.
