Absorption: Well absorbed following IM administration.
Distribution: Appears to cross the blood-brain barrier and placenta.
Metabolism/Excretion: Mainly metabolized by the liver. Only 10% excreted unchanged by the kidneys.
Half-life: 2.2 hr.
Contraindicated in:
- Hypersensitivity
- Known intolerance
- Angle-closure glaucoma
- Bone marrow depression
- CNS depression
- Severe liver or cardiac disease
- Known or suspected QT prolongation.
Use Cautiously in:
- Geriatric, debilitated, or severely ill patients (smaller doses should be used)
- Diabetic patients
- Respiratory insufficiency
- Prostatic hyperplasia
- CNS tumors
- Intestinal obstruction
- Seizures (may lower seizure threshold)
- Severe liver disease
- Pregnancy, lactation, and children <2 yr (although safety not established, droperidol has been used during cesarean section without respiratory depression in the newborn)
- Age >65 yr, concurrent benzodiazepines, volatile anesthetics, IV opioids (may increase risk of serious arrhythmias); use lower initial doses.
Exercise Extreme Caution in:
- Patients with risk factors for prolonged QT syndrome (HF, bradycardia, diuretic use, cardiac hypertrophy, hypokalemia, hypomagnesema) or other drugs known to prolong QT interval.
CNS: SEIZURES, extrapyramidal reactions, abnormal EEG, anxiety, confusion, dizziness, excessive sedation, hallucinations, hyperactivity, mental depression, nightmares, restlessness, tardive dyskinesia.
CV: ARRHYTHMIAS (INCLUDING TORSADES DE POINTES), QT prolongation.
EENT: blurred vision, dry eyes.
Resp: bronchospasm, laryngospasm.
CV: hypotension, tachycardia.
GI: constipation, dry mouth.
Misc: chills, facial sweating, shivering.
Premedication/Use Without Premedication in Diagnostic Procedures
- IV, IM (Adults): 2.5–initially, 30–60 min prior to induction of anesthesia; additional doses of 1.25 mg IV may be needed, but should be undertaken with caution.
- IM, IV (Children 2–12 yr): 0.1 mg/kg maximum initial dose.
Adjunct to General Anesthesia
- IV (Adults): 2.5 mg additional doses of 1.25 mg IV may be needed, but should be undertaken with caution.
- IM, IV (Children 2–12 yr): 0.1 mg/kg maximum initial dose.
Adjunct in Regional Anesthesia
Antiemetic
- IV (Adults): 0.5–1.25 mg q 4 hr as needed (unlabeled).
Therapeutic Classification: sedative/hypnotics
Pharmacologic Classification: butyrophenones
(sedation)
*Listed as duration of tranquilization; alterations in consciousness may last up to 12 hr.
