droperidol

[OOPSMD@aol.com]

I have used droperidol in the ED for over 12 years - It is one of my first 
line "multi purpose" drugs.  I use it  as an anti psychotic and sedative.  As 
an old EMS colleague puts it  -"it sucks the squirrel right out of them". Its 
a wonderful antiemetic.   It works great for migraine headaches and vertigo. 
It is truly an ED and EMS workhorse.
I estimate that I use it at least 1-2 times a shift so over 12 years my N 
would be somewhere near  3-4000 patients.  At a dose ranging from 1.25 to 5 
mg IV or IM - I have never seen significant hypotension or neurolepitic 
malignant syndrome. As far as dystonia - probably 1 out of 25 pts - easily 
treated with benadryl.

Do a pub med search under "droperidol emergency"  for more info..

fly safe

J.O.  MD