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Droperidol Coupon - Droperidol 2ml of 2.5mg/ml vial

droperidol

Generic Inapsine
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:
reviewerRobert Chad Hakim, PharmD, BCCCP
reviewerKristianne Hannemann, PharmD
Last reviewed on August 9, 2023
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.

Drug facts

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

Less Common Side Effects

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

Droperidol 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 Droperidol 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.

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Pros and cons of Droperidol

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

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
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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.
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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.

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

Warning IconAlthough 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.

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.

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 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.

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Droperidol dosage

Typical dosage 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.
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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.

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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-icon

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
Used for:
  • Prevention of nausea and vomiting due to cancer medications (chemotherapy) or radiation therapy
  • Prevention of nausea and vomiting after surgery
$8.87Lowest GoodRx priceView prices
Used for:
$3.92Lowest GoodRx priceView prices
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Droperidol images

colorless - Droperidol 5mg/2mL Solution for Injection
This medicine is Colorless Vial.colorless - Droperidol 5mg/2mL Solution for Injection

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.

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.