provider image
Welcome! You’re in GoodRx for healthcare professionals. Now, you’ll enjoy a streamlined experience created specifically for healthcare professionals.
Skip to main content
Droperidol Coupon - Droperidol 1ml of 2.5mg/ml vial

droperidol

Generic Inapsine
Used for Nausea
Used for Nausea

Droperidol (also known by its brand name, Inapsine) is an antiemetic used to prevent nausea and vomiting for people undergoing a procedure. While some hospitals still stock droperidol, it's not commonly used because of its potential to cause serious heart rhythm problems. When it's used, droperidol is given as an injection into the veins or muscle by a healthcare provider. Some common side effects of droperidol low blood pressure, fast heart rate, and sleepiness after the procedure. It's available as a lower-cost, generic.

Reviewed by:
reviewer
Robert Chad Hakim, PharmD, BCCCP
reviewer
Kristianne Hannemann, PharmD
Last reviewed on August 9, 2023
BasicsSide effectsPros & consPharmacist tipsFAQsWarningsDosageInteractionsContraindicationsAlternativesImagesReferencesPricesMedicare
basics-icon

What is Droperidol?

What is Droperidol used for?

  • Prevention of nausea and vomiting during procedures

How Droperidol works

Droperidol is a typical antipsychotic. But it's only used as an antiemetic (nausea medication). While the exact way droperidol works to prevent nausea and vomiting isn't clear, but it's thought to block the actions of dopamine in the part of your brain that causes nausea and vomiting.

Are you looking for information on dronabinol (Marinol) instead?

Drug Facts

Common BrandsInapsine (brand name no longer available)
Drug ClassTypical antipsychotic
Controlled Substance ClassificationNot a controlled medication
Generic StatusLower-cost generic available
AvailabilityPrescription only
basics-icon

What are the side effects of Droperidol?

The following side effects may get better over time as your body gets used to the medication. Let your healthcare provider know immediately if you continue to experience these symptoms or if they worsen over time.

Common Side Effects

  • Low blood pressure
  • Fast heart rate
  • Sleepiness after the procedure
  • Feeling unease
  • Restlessness
  • Anxiety

Other Side Effects

  • Hallucinations (seeing or hearing things that aren't real)
  • Dizziness
  • Allergic reactions
  • Chills
  • Shivering
  • Uncontrollable, repetitive movements

Serious Side Effects

Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following.
  • Abnormal heart rhythm: chest pounding, short of breath, chest pain, feeling faint or lightheaded
  • Serious allergic reaction: hives, rash, blisters, skin reddening, swelling of the lips or tongue, difficulty breathing
  • Neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS): fever, sweating, stiff muscles, confusion, not aware of your surroundings, fast or irregular heartbeat

Source: DailyMed

The following side effects have also been reported

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor or nurse immediately if any of the following side effects occur:

More common

Blurred vision

confusion

dizziness, faintness, or lightheadedness when getting up suddenly from a lying or sitting position

sweating

unusual tiredness or weakness

Less common

Chills

cough

difficulty with breathing

difficulty with swallowing

dizziness

fast heartbeat

noisy breathing

puffiness or swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes, face, lips, or tongue

skin rash, hives, or itching

tightness in the chest

Incidence not known

Chest pain or discomfort

fainting

fast, pounding, or irregular heartbeat or pulse

irregular or slow heart rate

low blood pressure or pulse

severe confusion or loss of consciousness

Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

More common

Anxiety

drowsiness

restlessness

trouble sitting still

Incidence not known

Difficulty with speaking

drooling

loss of balance control

muscle trembling, jerking, or stiffness

seeing, hearing, or feeling things that are not there

shuffling walk

stiffness of the limbs

twisting movements of the body

uncontrolled movements, especially of the face, neck, and back

Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

pros-and-cons

Pros and cons of Droperidol

thumbs-up

Pros

Works well to prevent nausea and vomiting

Can be used in children as young as 2 years old

Starts to work after 3-10 minutes

thumbs-down

Cons

Needs to be given by injection

Can cause a serious and life-threatening irregular heart rhythm problem called QT prolongation

Can lower blood pressure and raise heart rate

pharmacist-tips

Pharmacist tips for Droperidol

pharmacist

  • Your provider will routinely monitor you for side effects and your vital signs during and after you receive droperidol. They'll also check your heart rhythm before and after your procedure with an electrocardiogram (EKG) to make sure you're not experiencing any heart rhythm problems.

    • Taking certain medications, such as barbiturates (e.g., phenobarbital), sedatives, opioid pain medications (e.g., morphine), and antihistamines (e.g., diphenhydramine (Benadryl)), can make you more sensitive to sleepiness and dizziness from droperidol. Let your provider know about all the medications you're taking before starting droperidol because they might adjust your droperidol dose.

      • People with certain medical conditions (e.g., liver problems, kidney problems, pheochromocytoma) should receive droperidol with caution. Make sure your provider knows about all of your medical conditions before receiving droperidol.

        faqs

        Frequently asked questions about Droperidol

        Can droperidol be used for mental health problems?
        No. Even though droperidol is a typical antipsychotic, it's only FDA-approved to prevent nausea and vomiting during procedures. It hasn't been proven to be safe or work well for mental health problems.
        Is droperidol a controlled substance?
        No, droperidol isn't a controlled substance because it doesn't have a known risk of addiction, misuse, or dependence.
        How fast does droperidol work?
        Droperidol starts to work after 3 to 10 minutes. But you might see a more noticeable effect 30 minutes after your dose. Your provider will check how well the medication is managing your nausea and vomiting, and whether or not you're experiencing any side effects. If needed, they might give you additional doses of droperidol.
        How long does droperidol last?
        The anti-anxiety and sleepiness effects of droperidolcan last for 2 to 4 hours, but the lower mental alertness could last for as long as 12 hours after the dose. Be careful driving or performing activities that require you to be alert during this time.
        Does droperidol make you sleepy?
        Yes, sleepiness is a common side effect of droperidol. You can expect to feel sleepy for 2 to 4 hours after the dose, though this side effect might last as long as 12 hours for some people. Keep in mind that some people also experience other sleep-related problems while taking droperidol, including restlessness and anxiety. Let your provider know if you're having trouble sleeping or feeling anxious after receiving droperidol. They might give you another medication to help calm you down and sleep.
        Is droperidol safe in pregnancy?
        Droperidol isn't FDA-approved for nausea and vomiting related to pregnancy. Droperidol hasn't been well-studied in human pregnancies, so it's not clear how safe this medication is for pregnant females. But providers might consider droperidol as an option for severe pregnancy-related nausea and vomiting if other treatments haven't worked well. If you're pregnant or thinking of becoming pregnant, speak to your provider about the risks and benefits of this medication.
        GoodRxEducationalIcon

        How to save using GoodRx

        Compare Prices
        1. Compare PricesSpecify your dosage and quantity to find out exactly how much you can save.
        Select your free coupon
        2. Select your free couponYou can use the displayed coupon, or compare prices at other pharmacies near you.
        Show coupon to your pharmacist
        3. Show coupon to your pharmacistPresent your printed or electronic coupon when you pick up your prescription.
        Get free couponLearn more
        warings-icon

        What are the risks and warnings for Droperidol?

        Droperidol can cause some serious health issues. This risk may be even higher for certain groups. If this worries you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other options.

        risk-warning

        Life-threatening abnormal heart rhythm (QT prolongation)

        • Risk factors: Electrolyte levels out of balance | Taking other medications that cause QT prolongation | History of heart problems or abnormal heart rhythms (arrhythmias) | Slow heart rate

          Although rare, droperidol can affect your heart rhythm (QT prolongation), which can be life-threatening (a black box warning of this medication). To lower your risk for QT prolongation, your provider will check your heart rhythm with an electrocardiogram (EKG) before giving you droperidol and for 2-3 hours after your procedure. Make sure to tell your provider about all the medications you're taking and don't start any new medications while taking droperidol without talking to your provider or pharmacist first. People who were born with QT prolongation or have a history of arrhythmias should avoid taking droperidol. If you feel your chest pounding, have trouble breathing, chest pain, or feel lightheaded while taking droperidol, call 911 right away.

          risk-warning

          Difficulty controlling body movements

          Medications similar to droperidol have caused uncontrolled body movements, such as eye-twitching or lip-smacking. If you experience these symptoms after receiving droperidol, your provider can help you control them with certain anticholinergic medications.

          risk-warning

          Changes in blood pressure and higher risk of falls

          • Risk factors: Low blood pressure | Taking medications that lower blood pressure | History of medical conditions that can lower blood pressure | High droperidol doses | Liver or kidney problems | 65 years or older

            Droperidol can make you tired, lower your blood pressure, or cause you to lose your balance, which can lead to falls after your procedure. When standing from a sitting or lying position, make sure to get up slowly and hold onto something.

            risk-warning

            Risk of neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS)

            • Risk factors: Taking antipsychotic medications

              Medications similar to droperidol have caused a rare, but life-threatening condition called neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS). Symptoms include fever, sweating, stiff muscles, confusion, not aware of your surroundings, and fast or irregular heartbeat. Because it might be hard to tell if you experience NMS during a procedure, your provider will keep a close eye on any changes in your temperature, heart rate, and carbon dioxide production.

              dosage

              Droperidol dosage forms

              Typical dosing for Droperidol

              Droperidol is given as an injection into the muscle or into the veins by a healthcare provider before a procedure. Your provider will determine your dose based on various factors, such as your age, body weight, and what health conditions you might have.

              • Adults: The typical starting dose is up to 2.5 mg given as a single dose. Additional 1.25-mg doses can be given if needed.

              • Children (ages 2 to under 12 years old): Your child's provider will calculate the dose based on your child's body weight. The typical starting dose is up to 0.1 mg/kg of body weight as a single dose. The provider will determine whether your child needs more than one dose.

              interactions

              Interactions between Droperidol and other drugs

              Droperidol may interact with certain medications or supplements. Always let your doctor and pharmacist know about any other medications or supplements (including prescribed and over-the-counter medications, vitamins, and dietary or herbal supplements) that you are currently taking. The list below does not include all possible drug interactions with Droperidol. Please note that only the generic name of each medication is listed below.

              Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are receiving this medicine, it is especially important that your healthcare professional know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.

              Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is not recommended. Your doctor may decide not to treat you with this medication or change some of the other medicines you take.

              Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.

              contraindications-icon

              Droperidol contraindications

              Contraindications are specific health conditions or situations in which a person should not take a medication due to safety concerns. If you have any of the following conditions or if any of the following apply to you, let your healthcare provider know because Droperidol will not be safe for you to take.

              • Known or suspected QT prolongation

              • Use other than for the treatment of nausea and vomiting from procedures when other medications can't be used or haven't worked

              alternatives

              What are alternatives to Droperidol?

              There are a number of medications that your doctor can prescribe in place of Droperidol. Compare a few possible alternatives below.
              Droperidol
              Used for:

              • Prevention of nausea and vomiting during procedures

              View Prices
              Ondansetron (Zofran)
              Used for:
              $14.52 Lowest GoodRx priceView Prices
              Metoclopramide (Reglan)
              Used for:
              $3.00 Lowest GoodRx priceView Prices
              images

              Droperidol images

              colorless - Droperidol 2.5mg / mL Solution for Injection
              This medicine is Colorless Vial.colorless - Droperidol 2.5mg / mL Solution for Injection

              Get savings updates for Droperidol

              Receive price alerts, news, and other messages from GoodRx about Droperidol and other healthcare topics and relevant savings offers.

              By signing up, I agree to GoodRx's Terms and Privacy Policy, and to receive marketing messages from GoodRx.

              References

              Best studies we found

              American Regent, Inc. (2023). Droperidol injection, solution [package insert]. DailyMed.

              Farzam, K., et al. (2023). QT prolonging drugs. StatPearls.

              Gaw, C. M., et al. (2020). Effectiveness and safety of droperidol in a United States emergency department. The American Journal of Emergency Medicine.

              View All References (5)

              Kramer, K. J. (2020). The surprising re-emergence of droperidol. Anesthesia Progress.

              Nageotte, M. P., et al. (1996). Droperidol and diphenhydramine in the management of hyperemesis gravidarum. American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology.

              National Cancer Institute. (2020). Pheochromocytoma.

              Quinlan, J. D., et al. (2003). Nausea and vomiting of pregnancy. American Family Physician.

              Storrar, J., et al. (2014). Droperidol for treatment of nausea and vomiting in palliative care patients. The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews.

              GoodRx Health has strict sourcing policies and relies on primary sources such as medical organizations, governmental agencies, academic institutions, and peer-reviewed scientific journals. Learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate, thorough, and unbiased by reading our editorial guidelines.
              Was this page helpful?

              Browse medications

              View All

              Research prescriptions and over-the-counter medications from A to Z, compare drug prices, and start saving.