What is Droperidol?
Droperidol acts as a sedative and tranquilizer. It also has anti-nausea properties. Droperidol can be used to reduce nausea or vomiting that may occur after surgery or other medical procedures. This medication guide does not list all possible uses of droperidol.
Side effects of Droperidol
If you experience any of the following signs and symptoms of an allergic reaction: hives, difficulty breathing or swelling in your face, lips or throat - seek medical assistance immediately!
If you:
- Experience rapid or pounding pulses, chest fluttering and shortness of breath along with sudden dizziness as symptoms.
- Slow heart rate. Weak pulse, fainting, and slow breathing.
- Confusion, hallucinations;
- Bronchospasm is a condition that causes difficulty breathing, wheezing, and chest tightness.
- Uncontrollable or twitching movements of the eyes, mouth, jaw, or neck
- Severe nervous system reaction: very stiff (rigid muscles), high fever, sweating and confusion, rapid or uneven heartbeats
In older adults, serious side effects are more likely to occur.
Side effects that are common include:
- Rapid heart rate
- Drowsiness, dizziness;
- Feeling restless, anxious, or uneasy?
There may be other side effects.Call your physician immediately if any side effects appear; for medical advice on possible adverse reactions. The FDA can be contacted at 1-800-FDA-1088 to report side effects.
Warnings
If you experience sudden dizziness, heart fluttering, rapid or pounding beats, or difficulty breathing, tell your caregivers immediately.
Before you take this drug
Droperidol should not be used if the patient is allergic to it or has a family or personal history of Long QT syndrome.
Notify your doctor immediately of any of the following issues:
- Congestive heart failure;
- Very slow heartbeats
- High blood pressure
- An electrolyte imbalance is a low potassium or magnesium level in the blood.
- Liver or kidney disease
- Pheochromocytoma
- Alcoholism.
Inform your doctor if you are pregnant or nursing.
How to take Droperidol?
You may need an ECG or electrocardiograph (also called an EKG) to check your heart function before you receive droperidol. Droperidol can be injected under the skin or into a blood vessel. This injection will be given in a medical environment before and/or after your surgery. You will be closely monitored for your breathing, blood pressure, and oxygen levels.
What happens if I miss the dose?
Droperidol can be used as needed and does not require a regular dosage schedule.
What happens if I overdose?
In a medical environment, an overdose is treated immediately.
What should be avoided?
If your doctor prescribes restrictions regarding food, beverage or activity consumption or participation, adhere to them exactly.
Interaction with other drug
Droperidol may cause serious heart problems. You are at greater risk if you use other medications for asthma, high blood pressure, depression, or mental illness. Do not use opioid medications, sleeping pills, muscle relaxers, anxiety medication, or seizure medicine without consulting your doctor first.
Tell your doctor about your other medications, including:
- A diuretic, or "water pill".
- Heart rhythm medication
- Opioid pain medication
- A laxative;
- A sedative such as Valium, diazepam, alprazolam, lorazepam, Xanax, Klonopin, Ativan, and others.
- MAO inhibitors (isocarboxazid, linezolid, methylene blue injection and the following medications: phenelzine, rasagiline, selegiline and tranylcypromine among others) may help.
This list is incomplete. Droperidol may be affected by other drugs, such as vitamins, herbal products, prescription medicines, and over-the-counter medicines. This list does not include all drug interactions.
