Another Study Shows That Droperidol Is a Safe Sedative

The FDA's black box warning about droperidol led to an unfortunate and unwarranted drop in its use; we should bring this safe drug back.

In 2001, the FDA issued a warning about droperidol as a potential cause of QT prolongation and torsades de pointes. But the evidence for an association was weak (NEJM JW Emerg Med Jul 2003 and Ann Emerg Med 2003; 41:546), and subsequent studies have shown droperidol to be safe and effective not only for agitation but also for nausea (NEJM JW Emerg Med Nov 2007 and Anesthesiology 2007; 102:1081; NEJM JW Emerg Med Jun 2006 and Am J Emerg Med 2006: 24:177).

Investigators in Australia now report a large observational study of electrocardiogram (ECG) abnormalities after droperidol administration. Included were 1009 patients who had an ECG performed within 2 hours of receiving droperidol (median dose, 10 mg; interquartile range, 10 to 17.5 mg). A …

Reviewing Author

Daniel J. Pallin, MD, MPH

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardPortola Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

Speaker’s BureauPeerView Institute for Medical Education

Grant/Research SupportAgency for Healthcare Research and Quality; CDC; NIH–National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences; NIH–National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID); NIH–NIAID–Antibacterial Resistance Leadership Group; Merck; Pfizer; Boehringer-Ingelheim; Shire; Portola Pharmaceuticals, Inc.; Novartis; bioMérieux; Siemens; Rapid Pathogen Screening; Magnolia; Stago; Innovative Biosensors; Molecular Detection, Inc.; Dyax Corp.; Trius Pharmaceuticals

Daniel J. Pallin, MD, MPH

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardPortola Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

Speaker’s BureauPeerView Institute for Medical Education

Another Study Shows That Droperidol Is a Safe Sedative

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