MASSACHUSETTS GENERAL HOSPITAL
Department of Pharmacy
Department of Nursing
Critical Care
| Generic Name: | Droperidol |
| Trade Name: | Inapsine |
| Action: | Antiemetic |
| Indications: | Nausea / Vomiting
Acute Psychosis |
| Administration
Guidelines: Prior to prescribing droperidol, the physician must determine that pre-administartion EKG QTc interval is <440msec [males] or < 450msec [females]. If within guidelines, then droperidol may be given. EKG monitoring should continue for 2-3 hours after completing treatment to monitor for arrhythmias. |
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| Usual Dosage Range and Route: |
Dosing for Acute Psychosis: Loading Dose: 2.5 mg IVP, may repeat 2.5mg in one hour for a total of 5 mg Maintanence: 0.625 - 5.0 mg IVP every six hours as needed 24 hour cumulative dose: 30 mg Dosing for Nausea and Vomiting: 1.25mg IV X one dose |
| Special Considerations: | - May potentiate the actions and side
effects of other sedatives, narcotics, barbiturates - Continuous infusions may be indicated in the management of nausea and vomiting assoicated with chemotherapy. in such cases, the mix is 10 mg / 100 ml with various dosing schedules. Please consult heme/onc consult or pharmacist for dosing recommendations |
| Precautions and Side Effects: |
- Hypotension; use phenylephrine or norepinephrine to treat. Do not use epinephrine which can cause paradoxical hypotension. - QT prolongation and torsades de points - Tachycardia - Extrapyramical reactions: including muscular rigidity and restlessness - Sedation -Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome |
revised 09/03