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Updated: Dec 11, 2025
06:59
A Novel Approach for the Administration of Medications and Fluids in Emergency Scenarios and Settings
Published on: November 9, 2016
30.9K
Reintegrating droperidol into emergency medicine practice
Alicia Mattson1, Kimberly Friend2, Caitlin S Brown1
1Department of Pharmacy, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN.
Summary
Droperidol is now more available in the US. This review covers its safety, efficacy, and dosing for emergency department use, confirming its value as an analgesic, antiemetic, and sedative.
Area of Science:
- Emergency Medicine
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Droperidol use declined after a 2001 FDA boxed warning regarding QT interval prolongation.
- Limited access and clinician inexperience followed the FDA warning.
- Recent studies confirm droperidol's safety and efficacy in emergency settings.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the safety, indications, clinical efficacy, and dosing of droperidol.
- To provide guidance for emergency department (ED) use.
- To address the need for updated information as droperidol becomes more available.
Main Methods:
- Comprehensive literature review.
- Analysis of studies assessing droperidol's safety and efficacy in ED patients.
- Synthesis of data compiled since 2001.
Main Results:
- Droperidol is consistently shown to be safe and effective.
- Clinical efficacy demonstrated for analgesia, antiemesis, and sedation.
- Data supports appropriate and effective use in the ED.
Conclusions:
- Droperidol is an effective and safe treatment option for acute agitation, migraine, nausea, and pain in the ED.
- Healthcare professionals should familiarize themselves with droperidol's dosing and monitoring.
- Appropriate use can be adopted into clinical practice.
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