Droperidol

Question 1

Pharmacology and presentation of Droperidol?

Answer 1

10mg/2ml Ampoule or 2.5mg/1ml Ampoule

Droperidol is an antipsychotic drug from the butyrophenone group
that blocks dopaminergic, histamine, serotonergic and cholinergic
receptors in the autonomic nervous system. These effects combine
to enable sedation in addition to have anxiolytic and antiemetic
properties.

Question 2

Indicators of Droperidol?

Answer 2

• Acute psychosis
• Acute agitation and behavioural disturbance (SAT Score 2+).

Question 3

Contraindications of Droperidol?

• DPAC

Answer 3

• Known allergy
• Known Parkinsonism
• Children <8 years of age
• Previous dystonic reaction to Droperidol.

Question 4

Cautions of Droperidol?

• QCE

Answer 4

• Elderly and frail
• Concomitant use with other CNS depressants
• Patients on medications which may cause QT prolongation, or history of congenital long QT syndrome.

Question 5

Side Effects of Droperidol?

-HEPB

Answer 5

• Brady or tachycardia
• Extrapyramidal effect or dystonia (rare)
• Hypotension
• QT prolongation (rare).

Question 6

Dosing Regimes of Droperidol?

Answer 6

• Adult >16 & <65years = 10mg IM, repeat once at 20mins to a max dose of 20mg
• Adult >65years or frail = 5mg IM, repeat once at 20 mins to a max of 10mg
• Paed 8-15years = 0.1mg/kg IM, repeat same dose once at 20 mins, no single dose >5mg, to a max of 10mg (requires consult)

Question 7

Onset and duration of Droperidol?

Answer 7

• Onset = 15-16 minutes
• Duration = 12 hours