Haloperidol for Diabetes-Associated Gastroparesis

Diabetes-associated gastroparesis can be challenging to treat. Investigators at an emergency department (ED) where haloperidol is commonly administered for gastroparesis reviewed medical records to identify patients who had a visit for gastroparesis at which haloperidol was administered and a comparable visit at which haloperidol was not given. The researchers evaluated admission rates, ED and hospital length of stay, use of other antiemetics, and number of morphine equivalents administered for analgesia.

Fifty-two patients were identified. When haloperidol was administered, significantly fewer ED visits resulted in hospital admission (10% vs. 27%) and less analgesia was administered (median morphine equivalents, 6.75 vs. 10.75). The other o…