Have you ever had an operation? Or has a friend had one? When that happens, the biggest fear for many people is the nausea and vomiting that occurs after the operation. It is really a very unpleasant thing. So today we are going to talk about a special injection that is given to control, that is, prevent, such a condition. The name of this medicine is Droperidol.
Simply put, what is Droperidol?
Droperidol is a medicine that is given to you to prevent nausea and vomiting that may occur after surgery or other medical procedures. It is given as an injection. Specifically, it blocks the action of certain chemicals in our brain that cause nausea and vomiting. These types of medicines are called antiemetics. A common brand name for this is Inapsine.
The most important thing is that this is not a medicine you can buy at a pharmacy. It is only given under medical supervision in a hospital or clinic.
Things you need to tell your doctor before giving you this medicine
As with any medicine, it is important that your doctor is fully aware of your health condition before giving you this Droperidol injection. This is because people with certain medical conditions need to be very careful when giving this medicine. Therefore, if you have any of the conditions listed below, be sure to tell your doctor.
- Drinking: If you are a regular drinker, tell us about it.
- Heart disease: If you have a heart condition, for example, heart failure, irregular heartbeats, or a slow heart rate.
- Kidney disease: If you have any kidney disease.
- Liver disease: If you have any liver disease.
- Allergies: If you have an allergy to Droperidol or any other medicine, food, or dye.
- Pregnancy: If you are pregnant or trying to get pregnant.
- Breastfeeding: If you are a mother who is breastfeeding your child.
Providing this information to the medical team is very important for your safety.
How to use this medicine and what to do in an emergency
This medicine is not something you can take home. Droperidol is an injection that is given only in a hospital or clinic by a doctor or nurse. It is injected directly into a vein or into a muscle.
Do you give this to small children?
Yes, in some special cases, this medicine is also given to children over the age of 2. But it is done under very special care and only at the doctor's discretion.
What to do if you take too much medicine (overdose)?
Since this is given in a hospital, the chances of this happening are very low. However, if you think that you have overdosed on this medicine in any way, it is very important to immediately inform or go to the hospital's Emergency Treatment Unit (ETU) . Also, there is a place in our country that is specialized for such things. That is the National Poison Information Center at the Colombo National Hospital . You can also call them and get advice.
Other drugs that may interact with Droperidol (Drug Interactions)
This is a very important part. Droperidol is a drug that can interact with many other medications. Therefore, it is essential to tell your doctor about all the medications you are taking, including vitamins, herbal remedies, and supplements. You should also tell your doctor if you smoke or drink alcohol.
Below are some of the medications that may interact with Droperidol. This is not a complete list, but it is the main ones to be careful of.
| Drug category | Examples and descriptions |
|---|---|
| Never take Droperidol with this medicine. | |
| Medications that affect heart rate | Medications like Dronedarone, Cisapride, Pimozide, Thioridazine. |
| Some antibiotics | Like Erythromycin, Clarithromycin, Moxifloxacin. |
| Some antifungals | Such as Ketoconazole, Fluconazole. |
| Other anti-nausea medications | Such as Dolasetron, Palonosetron. |
| Some medications for depression | Tricyclic antidepressants like Amitriptyline, Nortriptyline. |
| Reactions can occur with this medicine too. | |
| Painkillers (Opioids) | Strong painkillers like Morphine and Tramadol. |
| Diuretics | Medicines that reduce the amount of water and salt in the body. |
| Barbiturates | Some medications for sleep and epilepsy. |
Things to expect and side effects after taking the medicine
After taking this medicine, your condition will be closely monitored by the medical team.
You may feel drowsy or dizzy . This is normal. Therefore, avoid activities that require alertness, such as driving or operating machinery, until the effects of this medicine have completely worn off. Especially if you are elderly, do not get up from a sitting position suddenly. Wait a few minutes before getting up. This will reduce the risk of dizziness and falling. Also, avoid drinking alcohol completely .
Side Effects
Like all medications, this one can have side effects. Some of them are serious, some of them are common.
| Side effects that should be reported to your medical team immediately | |
|---|---|
| Allergic reactions | Skin rash, itching, swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat. |
| Changes in heart rate | Feeling like your heart is beating fast or irregularly, dizziness, chest pain, difficulty breathing. |
| Low blood pressure | Dizziness, lightheadedness, blurred vision. |
| Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome (NMS) | This is a rare but serious condition. Symptoms include high fever, muscle stiffness, excessive sweating, rapid heartbeat, and confusion. |
| Extrapyramidal Symptoms (EPS) | Inability to control body movements, muscle stiffness or tremors, restlessness, and an unusual walking pattern. |
| Central nervous system depression (CNS depression) | Slow or shallow breathing, difficulty breathing, excessive sleepiness, confusion. |
| Things to report to the medical team if they persist or become bothersome | |
| Anxiety, nervousness | Feeling afraid and uneasy for no reason. |
| Drowsiness | It's something that's generally expected, but if it's excessive, say so. |
| Hallucinations | Seeing or hearing things that are not there. |
Take-Home Message
- Droperidol is a powerful injection given to prevent nausea and vomiting that occurs after surgery and other medical procedures.
- This medicine is only given under medical supervision in a hospital or clinic.
- It is essential to inform your doctor about any other medical conditions you have (especially heart, liver, and kidney disease) and all medications you are taking.
- Avoid activities that require alertness as drowsiness and dizziness may occur after taking the medicine. Avoid alcohol completely.
- If you experience any serious side effects such as changes in heart rate, high fever, or muscle stiffness, notify the medical team immediately.
- If you have any further questions about this medication, don't be afraid to talk to your doctor.
👩🏽⚕️ Additional questions (FAQs)
💬 What is the Droperidol / Inapsine injection used for in the hospital?
This is not like Domperidone, which is taken for normal vomiting! This is the most powerful (Typical Antipsychotic / Antiemetic) medicine in the world that instantly stops vomiting and nausea and calms the patient! This is especially given after a 'major operation (Surgery / Anesthesia)' to block/close and lock the severe nausea that the patient cannot bear to the point where the intestines/bowels come out.
💬 How does this powerful injection (Droperidol) reach our brain and stop severe vomiting?
The anesthetics (Anesthesia/Opioids) given during surgery cause a large amount of chemicals called 'Serotonin/Dopamine' in the brain to be released, which go to the vomiting center (CTZ) and cause vomiting as if a button had been pressed. As soon as this injection enters the bloodstream, the 'Dopamine Receptors' in the brain are completely blocked (Dopamine blockade). Since there is no way for the message to be transmitted, the patient does not vomit and the patient also falls asleep (Sedation).
💬 What are the Black Box Warnings that people who inject this antiemetic (Droperidol) should be aware of?
The biggest danger is losing life rather than stopping vomiting! This can 'severely alter the electrical rhythm of the heart, causing the heart to beat abnormally, causing a dangerous heart attack and even cardiac arrest (QT Prolongation / Torsades de pointes / Cardiac Arrest)'. Therefore, those who have this injection must have an ECG/EKG machine continuously turned on for 2-3 hours! The other thing is that this can also cause the patient to become epileptic (EPS).
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