Droperidol

Question 1

What is the mechanism of action for Droperidol?

Answer 1

●Droperidol is an antipyschotic. It blocks Dopamine and Alpha receptors in the CNS causing…
-Sedation.
-A reduction in agitation/state of mental detachment.
-Antiemetic action.

Question 2

What are the indications for Droperidol?

Answer 2

●Patients aged 12 or over with acute behavioral disturbance causing mid to moderate risk to safety when Olanzapine has not been administered or is ineffective.
●Moderate to severe pain despite opiate analgesia and ketamine is not appropriate, associated with…
-chronic or complex pain
-chronic use of opiates
-severe headache
severe pain with agitation
-pain with severe nausea/vomiting.

●The management of agitation or pain that does not respond to an opiate during end of life care.
●Nausea/vomiting that persists despite Ondansetron administration, or for motion sickness.

Question 3

What are the contraindications for Droperidol?

Answer 3

●Known severe allergy.
●Aged less than 12 years old.
●Pregnancy- analgesia, nausea/vomiting.

Question 4

What are the cautions for Droperidol? (5)

Answer 4

●Altered level of consciousness. (Will increase/prolongs the effects.)
●Parkinson’s disease. (Risk of worsening the movement disorder.)
●Concurrent administration of Midazolam and Ketamine. (Will increase/prolong effects.)
●Aged 75 or over, particularly if frail. (Increases/prolongs effects.)
●Signs of shock. (May make shock worse.)

Question 5

What are the adverse effects of Droperidol?

Answer 5

●Hypotension. May occur if a large IV dose is administered rapidly.
●Sedation. Concurrent administration with other sedative drugs such as Olanzapine or Midazolam will increase effects.

Question 6

What is the IV dose for Droperidol with acute behavioral disturbance?

Answer 6

10mg but reduce to 5mg if a caution is present.
(Dilute to 10mls and administer over 1-2mins.)
Dose may be repeated once after 20 minutes.

Question 7

What is the IM dose for Droperidol with acute behavioral disturbance?

Answer 7

10mg but reduce to 5mg if a caution is present.
(Non diluted. Into lateral thigh.)
Dose may be repeated once after 20mins.

Question 8

What is the IV dose of Droperidol for analgesia?

Answer 8

1.25mg IV for an adult but reduce to 0.625mg if a caution is present
(Use 2.5mg/1ml ampule dilute to 4ml and discard 2ml leaving 1.25mg/2ml. If caution is present administer 0.625mg/1ml.)
The dose is not repeated.

Question 9

What is the IV dose of Droperidol for nausea/vomiting?

Answer 9

0.625mg IV for an adult. (Dilute 2.5mg to 4ml making 0.625mg/ml.)
The dose is not repeated.

Question 10

What is the IM dose of Droperidol for nausea/vomiting?

Answer 10

0.625mg IM for an adult undiluted.
The dose is not repeated.

Question 11

What is the dose of Droperidol for end of life care?

Answer 11

2.5mg IV/IM/SC
The dose can be repeated as required.

Question 12

What is the onset time for IV and IM Droperidol?

Answer 12

5-10 minutes.

Question 13

What is the duration of effect of Droperidol?

Answer 13

4-6 hours.