Add like
Add dislike
Add to saved papers

Droperidol use in pediatric emergency department patients.

INTRODUCTION: Droperidol is a controversial drug with multiple clinical applications. This report examines the use of droperidol in pediatric emergency department (ED) patients.

METHODS: An observational structured chart review was conducted of patients 21 years or younger receiving droperidol as part of their ED treatment.

RESULTS: Over a 32-month period, 79 ED records were identified for review. Patients' ages ranged from 15 to 21 years with a mean age of 19.4 (T0.2) years. Indications for droperidol included agitation, 68 (86%); nausea/vomiting, 7 (9%); headache, 2 (3%); and other pain, 2 (3%). Droperidol was the initial therapy in 63 patients (80%) and the rescue medication in 16 (20%). In nonagitated patients, droperidol was 100% effective in controlling patient's symptoms, whereas in agitated patients, droperidol alone was 86.6% effective as a single agent. Within the agitated patients, 35 (51.5%) were positive for drugs, 15 (22.1%) were positive for drugs and alcohol, and 12 (17.6%) were positive for alcohol alone. All patients were placed on continuous cardiac monitoring immediately after administration of the drug and for the duration of their active ED visit. No cardiac arrhythmias were noted. Thirty-eight patients (48%) were discharged from the ED, 35 (44%) were transferred to the psychiatric crisis unit for evaluation, 5 (6%) were admitted, and in 1 patient with biliary colic, the disposition was not recorded. No admissions were for droperidol-associated complications.

CONCLUSIONS: Droperidol is a safe and effective medication in the adolescent and young adult population.

Full text links

We have located links that may give you full text access.
Can't access the paper?
Try logging in through your university/institutional subscription. For a smoother one-click institutional access experience, please use our mobile app.

For the best experience, use the Read mobile app

Mobile app image

Get seemless 1-tap access through your institution/university

For the best experience, use the Read mobile app

All material on this website is protected by copyright, Copyright © 1994-2024 by WebMD LLC.
This website also contains material copyrighted by 3rd parties.

By using this service, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy.

Your Privacy Choices Toggle icon

You can now claim free CME credits for this literature searchClaim now

Get seemless 1-tap access through your institution/university

For the best experience, use the Read mobile app