Droperidol

Question 1

Droperidol indications

Answer 1

Management of severe agitation in whom de-escalation methods or calming methods have been unsuccessful or are inappropriate in the following situations:

• Suspected Acute Behavioural Disturbance (ABD) including severe agitation precipitated by drug misuse or psychiatric disorder.
• Severe agitation where reversible causes have been excluded (i.e. hypoxia and hypoglycaemia).

Question 2

Droperidol exclusion criteria

Answer 2

• Patients under 12 years of age.
• Currently dissociated by the effects of ketamine.
• Known hypersensitivity to droperidol or butyrophenones.
• Known prolonged Q-T interval.
• Bradycardia (less than 60 beats per minute).
• Suspected significant head injury, sub-arachnoid bleed or any other intracranial pathology.
• Phaeochromocytoma
• GCS Motor Score 4 or less.
• Severe Depression.

Question 3

Droperidol side effects

Answer 3

Agitation
Arrhythmias
Dizziness
Drowsiness
Fatigue
Hypotension
QT interval prolongation
Vomiting
Rash
Hyperglycaemia
Parkinsonism
Tremor
Urinary retention

Question 4

Droperidol adult dose

Answer 4

IM Dose = 5mg
IV Dose = 2.5mg

Question 5

Droperidol repeat dose

Answer 5

Repeat Dose- if adequate sedation has not been achieved after 20 minutes from the initial dose