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What is the most important information I should know about droperidol?

You should not use this medication if you are allergic to droperidol, or have a personal or family history of "Long QT syndrome."

Before you receive droperidol, tell your doctor if you have heart disease, high blood pressure, a heart rhythm disorder, low potassium, liver or kidney disease, adrenal gland cancer, or a history of alcohol abuse.

Before you receive droperidol, tell your doctor if you have been taking any medications to treat high blood pressure, a heart rhythm disorder, malaria, infections, a prostate disorder, depression or mental illness, or if you are using a narcotic pain medication.

What is droperidol?

Droperidol is a sedative, tranquilizer, and anti-nausea medication.

Droperidol is used to reduce nausea and vomiting caused by surgery or other medical procedures.

Droperidol may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

What should I discuss with my health care provider before receiving droperidol?

You should not be given this medication if you are allergic to droperidol, or have a personal or family history of "Long QT syndrome."

Before you receive droperidol, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you have:

• heart disease;

• heart rhythm disorder;

• congestive heart failure;

• high blood pressure;

• an electrolyte imbalance (such as low potassium);

• liver or kidney disease;

• adrenal gland cancer (pheochromocytoma); or

• a history of alcohol abuse.

If you have any of these conditions, you may not be able to receive droperidol, or you may need a dose adjustment.

FDA pregnancy category C. This medication may be harmful to an unborn baby. Before you receive droperidol, tell your doctor if you are pregnant. It is not known whether droperidol passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Before you receive this medication, tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

How is droperidol given?

Droperidol is given as an injection through a needle placed into a muscle or a vein. You will receive this injection in a clinic or hospital setting prior to and/or during your surgery or medical procedure.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Since droperidol is given as needed by a healthcare professional, it is not likely that you will miss a dose.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have received too much of this medicine.

Overdose symptoms may include fast or pounding heartbeats, dizziness, uneven heart rate, or fluttering in your chest.

What should I avoid after receiving droperidol?

Cold or allergy medicine, sedatives, narcotic pain medicine, sleeping pills, muscle relaxers, and medicine for seizures, depression or anxiety can add to sleepiness caused by droperidol. Tell your doctor if you have been taking any of these other medicines before you receive droperidol.

What are the possible side effects of droperidol?

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. Tell your caregivers at once if you have any of these serious side effects:

• feeling like you might pass out;

• dizziness, fainting, fast or pounding heartbeat, fluttering in your chest;

• chest tightness and trouble breathing;

• fever, stiff muscles, confusion, sweating, fast or uneven heartbeats;

• confusion, hallucinations;

• tremor (uncontrolled shaking); or

• restless muscle movements in your eyes, tongue, jaw, or neck.

Less serious side effects include:

• drowsiness, dizziness; or

• feeling restless or anxious.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Tell your doctor about any unusual or bothersome side effect.

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