Current Guidelines for the Use of Droperidol
Target Audience: Pharmacy Tech
Course Overview
Droperidol is a butyrophenone-class typical antipsychotic that has a labeled use in the United States for the reduction of nausea and vomiting that accompanies diagnostic and surgical procedures. The current guidance for its safe and effective use is discussed, along with its emerging use in emergency department settings. Clinicians should also be aware of the potential adverse events associated with this drug.
Learning Objectives
Upon completion of this educational activity, participants should be able to:
- Identify the labelled uses of droperidol
- Describe the professional position statement guiding droperidol use in surgical and emergency cases
- Describe droperidol’s uses in combination with other drugs
- Review the role of droperidol in multiple clinical settings
Faculty
I. Introduction
II. Pharmacological Profile
III. Labeled Uses
A. Administration
B. Pharmacokinetics
C. Dosage: Nausea and Vomiting
D. Dosing Adjustments in Special Populations
E. Lookalike/Soundalike Concerns
F. US Boxed Warning
G. Contraindications and Adverse Effects
H. Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
I. Drug-Drug Interactions
IV. Contraindications and Adverse Effects
A. Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
B. Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome (NMS)
C. Orthostatic Hypotension
D. Extrapyramidal Symptoms
V. Off-label Uses
A. Acute Agitation
B. Other Off-Label Uses
C. Dosage: Off-Label Uses
VI. Droperidol’s Expanded Use in Emergency Settings
VII. Droperidol Combination Treatments
VIII. Summary
From October 12, 2025 through October 12, 2028, participants must:
- Read the "learning objectives" and "author and planning team disclosures"
- Study the section entitled "educational activity"
- Complete the Course Test and Evaluation form. The Course Test will be graded automatically. Following successful completion of the Course Test with a score of 70% or higher, a statement of participation will be made available immediately. (No partial credit will be given.)
Credit for this course will be automatically uploaded to CPE Monitor®.
Faculty Planner Disclosure
The following individuals were involved in developing this activity: Kristina (Tia) Neu, RN, and Pamela Sardo, PharmD, BS. None of the faculty members has a conflict of interest or financial relationship related to the subject matter of this activity. There are no financial relationships or commercial or financial support relevant to this activity to report or disclose by RxCe.com or any of the individuals involved in the development of this activity.
Unlabeled Use Disclosure
The information provided in this course is general in nature and it is solely designed to provide participants with continuing education credit(s). This course and materials are not meant to substitute for the independent, professional judgment of any participant regarding that participant’s professional practice, including but not limited to patient assessment, diagnosis, treatment and/or health management. Medical and pharmacy practices, rules, and laws vary from state to state, and this course does not cover the laws of each state; therefore, participants must consult the laws of their state as they relate to their professional practice. Healthcare professionals, including pharmacists and pharmacy technicians, must consult with their employer, healthcare facility, hospital, or other organization, for guidelines, protocols, and procedures they are to follow. The information provided in this course does not replace those guidelines, protocols, and procedures but is for academic purposes only, and this course’s limited purpose is for the completion of continuing education credits. Participants are advised and acknowledge that information related to medications, their administration, dosing, contraindications, adverse reactions, interactions, warnings, precautions, or accepted uses are constantly changing, and any person taking this course understands that such person must make an independent review of medication information prior to any patient assessment, diagnosis, treatment and/or health management. Any discussion of off-label use of any medication, device, or procedure is informational only and such uses are not endorsed hereby. Nothing contained in this course represents the opinions, views, judgments, or conclusions of RxCe.com LLC. RxCe.com LLC is not liable or responsible to any person for any inaccuracy, error, or omission with respect to this course, or course material.
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Accreditation
In support of improving patient care, RxCE.com is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.
PTCB Recognition
RxCe.com, LLC, offers pharmacy technician continuing education courses for PTCB recertification. Pharmacy technician courses are indicated both in the Target Audience description and the ACPE UAN which will end with a "T".