Droperidol in the emergency department: is it safe?
Droperidol is an antipsychotic and antiemetic drug that has been used extensively by emergency physicians, psychiatrists, and anesthesiologists worldwide since 1967. It also has been used effectively for other diverse conditions, such as treatment of headache and vertigo. As of January 2001, Droperidol was no longer available in Europe after its founder, Janssen-Cilag Pharmaceuticals, discontinued its distribution. In December 2001, the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) placed a black box warning on the use of Droperidol in response to an association between Droperidol and fatal cardiac dysrhythmias, such as torsade de pointes, resulting from prolongation of the QT interval. In this review we closely examine the pharmacology, indications, use, and complications associated with Droperidol, and speculate on its future use in the Emergency Department.
Division of Emergency Medicine and Toxicology, University of California, Davis Medical Center, Sacramento, California, USA.
John R
JR
Richards
Aaron B
AB
Schneir
D000932:Antiemetics / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000737:chemistry / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000737:chemistry / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016757:Death, Sudden, Cardiac / Q000209:etiology; D004329:Droperidol / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000737:chemistry / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004348:Drug Labeling; D004638:Emergency Treatment / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008133:Long QT Syndrome / Q000139:chemically induced; D018579:Patient Selection; D012307:Risk Factors; D012449:Safety; D016171:Torsades de Pointes / Q000139:chemically induced; D014481:United States; D014486:United States Food and Drug Administration
D000932:Antiemetics; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D004329:Droperidol