The Basics
What is Droperidol?
Used to reduce nausea and vomiting caused by surgery or other medical procedures.
Brand names for Droperidol
Inapsine
How Droperidol is classified
Antiemetics, Antipsychotic Agents, Butyrophenones, Dopamine Antagonists, Gastrointestinal Agents
Droperidol During Pregnancy
Droperidol pregnancy category
Category CNote that the FDA has deprecated the use of pregnancy categories, so for some medications, this information isn’t available. We still think it’s useful to list historical info, however, given what a common proxy this has been in the past.
What we know about taking Droperidol while pregnant
INAPSINE (droperidol) administered intravenously has been shown to cause a slight increase in mortality of the newborn rat at 4.4 times the upper human dose. At 44 times the upper human dose, mortality rate was comparable to that for control animals. Following intramuscular administration, increased mortality of the offspring at 1.8 times the upper human dose is attributed to CNS depression in the dams who neglected to remove placentae from their offspring. INAPSINE (droperidol) has not been shown to be teratogenic in animals. There are no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women. INAPSINE (droperidol) should be used during pregnancy only if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the fetus.
Taking Droperidol While Breastfeeding
What are recommendations for lactation if you're taking Droperidol?
Because little information is available on the long-term use of droperidol during breastfeeding, an alternate drug may be preferred, especially while nursing a newborn or preterm infant. Single-dose or short-term use during breastfeeding, such as during surgery, is unlikely to adversely affect the breastfed infant, especially if the infant is older than 2 months.[1] When multiple doses are given to the mother, monitor the infant for drowsiness, especially in younger, exclusively breastfed infants and when using combinations of psychotropic drugs.
Maternal / infant drug levels
Because little information is available on the long-term use of droperidol during breastfeeding, an alternate drug may be preferred, especially while nursing a newborn or preterm infant. Single-dose or short-term use during breastfeeding, such as during surgery, is unlikely to adversely affect the breastfed infant, especially if the infant is older than 2 months.[1] When multiple doses are given to the mother, monitor the infant for drowsiness, especially in younger, exclusively breastfed infants and when using combinations of psychotropic drugs.
Possible effects of Droperidol on milk supply
Hyperprolactinemia has been reported in patients taking long-term droperidol[4][5] and after short-term use during surgical procedures.[6][7] The maternal prolactin level in a mother with established lactation may not affect her ability to breastfeed.
Possible alternatives to Droperidol
List of References
Lactation sources: Drugs and Lactation Database (LactMed) [Internet]. Bethesda (MD): National Library of Medicine (US); 2006-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK501922/1. Spigset O. Anaesthetic agents and excretion in breast milk. Acta Anaesthesiol Scand. 1994;38:94-103. PMID: 8171959
2. Bonhomme V, Brichant JF, Wuilmart M et al. Droperidol reduces nausea after caesarean section but alters the neurological status of the breastfed infants. Anesthesiology. 2002;96:A1044. Abstract.
3. Gardiner SJ, Kristensen JH, Begg EJ et al. Transfer of olanzapine in to breast milk, calculation of infant drug dose, and effect on breast-fed infants. Am J Psychiatry. 2003;160:1428-31. PMID: 12900304
4. Langer G, Puhringer W. Haloperidol and droperidol treatment in schizophrenics. Clinical application of the prolactin-model . Acta Psychiatr Belg. 1980;80:574-83. PMID: 7234451
5. Smith S, Wheeler MJ, Murray R, O’Keane V. The effects of antipsychotic-induced hyperprolactinaemia on the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis. J Clin Psychopharmacol. 2002;22:109-14. PMID: 11910254
6. Naito Y, Tamai S, Fukata J et al. Comparison of endocrinological stress response associated with transvaginal ultrasound-guided oocyte pick-up under halothane anaesthesia and neuroleptanaesthesia. Can J Anaesth. 1989;36:633-6. PMID: 2555076
7. Jullien Y, de Rodez M, Bonardet A et al. [Comparison of postoperative blood levels of prolactin and somatotropin after two methods of anesthesia]. Ann Anesthesiol Fr. 1980;21:459-66. PMID: 6110401
Disclaimer: This material is provided for educational purposes only and is not intended for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Consult your healthcare provider with any questions.
