Name of the medicine
Droperidol.
Excipients. Water for injections, mannitol and tartaric acid. Sodium hydroxide is also present to adjust the pH to 3.4 ± 0.2. https://stagingapi.mims.com/au/public/v2/images/fullchemgif/CSDROPER.gif
Description
Droperidol Panpharma 1.25 mg/2.5 mL (0.5 mg/mL); Droperidol Panpharma 2.5 mg/1 mL and 5.0 mg/2.0 mL (2.5 mg/mL).
Chemical name: 1-[1-[4-(4-fluorophenyl)-4-oxobutyl] -1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridin-4-yl]- 1,3-dihydro-2H-benzimidazol-2-one. Molecular formula: C22H22FN3O2. Molecular weight: 379.42. CAS registry number: 548-73-2.
Droperidol Panpharma contains either 0.5 mg/mL or 2.5 mg/mL droperidol as the active ingredient. The excipients are water for injections, mannitol and tartaric acid. Sodium hydroxide is also present to adjust the pH to 3.4 ± 0.2.
Droperidol is a cream-coloured, light-sensitive, crystalline, hygroscopic substance, slightly soluble in water and alcohol, and soluble in aqueous solutions with pH < 4.
Pharmacology
Pharmacology in animals. Droperidol is a neuroleptic drug of the butyrophenone group that also includes haloperidol.
It produces general quiescence and a reduced responsiveness to environmental stimuli in several animal species. There is little or no effect in respiration or myocardial contractile force, heart rate, and cardiac output in dogs.
The blood pressure is lowered, in part as a direct vasodilator effect and in part because of adrenergic blockade. Droperidol markedly reduces the ability of apomorphine to produce emesis in dogs. It is effective in protecting rats against experimentally induced traumatic shock and in protecting dogs against adrenaline-induced ventricular arrhythmias.
Pharmacology in humans. Droperidol produces marked tranquillisation and sedation. It also produces an antiemetic effect as evidenced by the antagonism of the emetic effect of apomorphine in dogs. It potentiates other CNS depressants, e.g. pentobarbitone and narcotic analgesics such as fentanyl. It also produces mild alpha-adrenergic blockade, peripheral vascular dilatation and reduction of the pressor effect of adrenaline.
Pharmacokinetics. The absorption, metabolism, and excretion of tritiated droperidol following intramuscular and intravenous administration have been studied in humans.
Total radioactivity levels were measured in plasma, urine, faeces. Droperidol was very rapidly absorbed following intramuscular administration, and the distribution phase half-life for plasma was calculated as 10 minutes. The terminal plasma elimination phase half-life was 134 minutes (SD = 13 minutes). Urinary excretion accounted for approximately 75% of the radioactive dose, less than 1% being unchanged droperidol.
Faecal recovery accounted for approximately 22% of the dose of radioactivity given intramuscularly, of which 50% was unchanged droperidol. These results suggest that droperidol is partly excreted in the bile.
Droperidol can produce hypotension and decrease peripheral vascular resistance. It may decrease pulmonary arterial pressure, particularly if it is abnormally high. It may reduce the incidence of adrenaline-induced arrhythmias but it does not prevent other cardiac arrhythmias. The onset of action is from three to ten minutes following intravenous or intramuscular administration. The full effect, however, may not be apparent for 30 minutes. The duration of the sedative and tranquillising effects of droperidol generally is two to four hours. Alteration of consciousness may persist as long as 12 hours.
Indications
Anaesthesia. Droperidol Panpharma is indicated to produce tranquillisation and to reduce the incidence of nausea and vomiting in surgical and diagnostic procedures; for premedication, induction, and as an adjunct in the maintenance of general and regional anaesthesia; in neuroleptanalgesia in which Droperidol Panpharma is given concurrently with a narcotic analgesic, to aid in producing tranquillity and decreasing anxiety and pain.
Psychiatry. The management of severe agitation, hyperactivity, or aggressiveness in psychotic disorders, including schizophrenic reaction and the manic type of manic depressive illness, or in disturbed states, such as some types of acute brain syndrome and in nonpsychotic acute excitation states.
Contraindications
Droperidol Panpharma is contraindicated in:
Known hypersensitivity to this drug or its metabolites;
Severe central nervous system depression;
Comatose states from any cause;
Parkinson's disease;
Phaeochromocytoma; or
Breast feeding.
Droperidol Panpharma should not be used in patients with a QTc of greater than 450 msec (see Precautions).
Droperidol Panpharma is contraindicated in patients with acquired long QT interval, such as that associated with concomitant use of drugs known to prolong the QT interval, known hypokalaemia or hypomagnesaemia or clinically significant bradycardia (see Interactions with Other Medicines).
Droperidol Panpharma is also contraindicated in patients with known congenital long QT interval or family history of congenital long QT syndrome.
Relative contraindication: acute alcohol intoxication.
Precautions
Fluids and other counter measures to manage hypotension should be readily available.
The benefits of using Droperidol Panpharma should be weighed against the potential risk. Droperidol Panpharma should only be used under appropriate medical supervision.
Patients with, or suspected of having, the following risk factors for cardiac arrhythmia should be carefully evaluated prior to the administration of Droperidol Panpharma:
A history of significant cardiac disease, including serious ventricular arrhythmia, second or third degree atrioventricular block, sinus node dysfunction, congestive heart failure or ischaemic heart disease;
A family history of sudden death;
Renal failure (particularly with chronic dialysis);
Significant chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and respiratory failure;
Risk factors for electrolyte disturbances as seen in patients taking potassium-wasting diuretics, in association with the administration of insulin in acute settings or in patients with persistent vomiting and/or diarrhoea. In these patients, an ECG and an assessment of serum electrolytes (potassium and magnesium) and renal function should be performed as part of this evaluation. In a hospital setting, ECG monitoring should be started, when possible, before the administration of Droperidol Panpharma for anaesthesia (see Contraindications). For patients with acute mania or agitation, it is recognised that performing an ECG prior to the initial dose(s) may be difficult. However, an ECG should be performed as soon as the patient's acute symptoms have subsided. Although the possibility of developing QT prolongation and torsade de pointes with the use of Droperidol Panpharma is low, ECG monitoring and full cardiac resuscitation facilities should be available; or
Cases of venous thromboembolism (VTE) have been reported with antipsychotic drugs. Since patients treated with antipsychotics often present with acquired risk factors for VTE, all possible risk factors for VTE should be identified before and during treatment with Droperidol Panpharma and preventive measures undertaken.
Outside the hospital setting, Droperidol Panpharma should only be used for the management of the psychiatric crisis e.g. acute mania or severe agitation. A single injection should be administered intramuscularly (not greater than 5 mg) and the patient should then be transferred immediately to a hospital facility by an ambulance equipped for cardiac resuscitation.
As with other CNS depressant drugs, patients who have received Droperidol Panpharma should have appropriate surveillance.
If Droperidol Panpharma is administered with a narcotic analgesic, the user should familiarise himself with the special properties of each drug, particularly with the widely differing durations of action. In addition, when such a combination is used, resuscitative equipment and a narcotic antagonist should be readily available to manage apnoea.
Narcotic analgesics may cause muscle rigidity, particularly involving the muscles of respiration. This effect is related to the speed of injection. Its incidence can be reduced by the use of slow intravenous injection. Once the effect occurs, it is managed by the use of assisted or controlled respiration and by a neuromuscular blocking drug if necessary.
The respiratory depressant effect of narcotics persists longer than their measured analgesic effect. When used with Droperidol Panpharma, the total dose of all narcotic analgesics administered should be considered by the practitioner before ordering narcotic analgesics during recovery from anaesthesia. It is recommended that narcotics, when required, be used initially in reduced doses as low as 1/4 to 1/3 of those usually recommended.
Use in pregnancy. (Category C)
Droperidol Panpharma is pregnancy Category C - Drugs which, owing to their pharmacological effects, have caused, or may be suspected of causing, harmful effects on the human fetus or neonate without causing malformations. These effects may be reversible. Accompanying texts should be consulted for further details.
Non-teratogenic class effect. Neonates exposed to antipsychotic drugs (including Droperidol Panpharma) during the third trimester of pregnancy are at risk of extrapyramidal neurological disturbances and/or withdrawal symptoms following delivery. There have been post market reports of agitation, hypertonia, hypotonia, tremor, somnolence, respiratory distress, and feeding disorder in these neonates. These complications have varied in severity; while in some cases symptoms have been self-limited, in other cases neonates have required medical treatment or monitoring.
Droperidol should be used during pregnancy only if the anticipated benefit outweighs the risk and the administered dose and duration of treatment should be as low and as short as possible.
Use in lactation. Butyrophenones are excreted in breast milk. If the use of Droperidol Panpharma is essential, breast-feeding should be avoided.
Paediatric use. The safety of Droperidol Panpharma in children younger than two years of age has not been established. Therefore, this drug is not recommended in this age group.
Use in psychiatry. In psychiatry, the dosage should be determined on an individual basis and is best initiated and titrated under close clinical supervision. To determine the initial dose, the patient's age, the symptom severity, and the previous response to other neuroleptics should be taken into account.
Use in anaesthesia. Certain forms of conduction anaesthesia, such as spinal anaesthesia and some peridural anaesthetics, can cause peripheral vasodilatation and hypotension because of sympathetic blockade. Through other mechanisms (see Pharmacology), Droperidol Panpharma can also alter circulation. Therefore, when Droperidol Panpharma is used to supplement these forms of anaesthesia, the anaesthetist should be familiar with the physiological alterations involved, and be prepared to manage them in patients selected for this form of anaesthesia.
If hypotension occurs, the possibility of hypovolaemia should be considered and managed with appropriate parenteral fluid therapy. Repositioning the patient to improve venous return to the heart should also be considered when operative conditions permit. It should be noted that in spinal and peridural anaesthesia tilting the patient into a head-down position may result in a higher level of anaesthesia than is desirable, as well as impair venous return to the heart. Care should be exercised in moving and positioning of patients because of the possibility of orthostatic hypotension. If volume expansion with fluids together with other countermeasures does not correct the hypotension, then administration of pressor agents other than adrenaline should be considered. Adrenaline may paradoxically decrease the blood pressure in patients treated with Droperidol Panpharma because of the alpha-adrenergic blocking action of droperidol. An adequate circulation volume should be ensured.
Since Droperidol Panpharma is frequently used with the narcotic analgesic fentanyl, it should be noted that fentanyl may produce bradycardia which may be treated with atropine; however, fentanyl should be used with caution in patients with cardiac bradyarrhythmias.
Effect on ability to drive or use machinery. Droperidol Panpharma may impair mental and/or physical abilities for operating machinery or driving a motor vehicle. Patients should only drive or operate a machine if sufficient time has elapsed after the administration of droperidol, i.e. about 10 hours after a dose of up to 5 mg and 24 hours after higher doses.
Use in the elderly or debilitated. The initial dose of Droperidol Panpharma should be appropriately reduced in the elderly, debilitated, and other poor-risk patients. The effect of the initial dose should be considered in determining incremental doses.
Data from two large observational studies showed that elderly people with dementia who are treated with antipsychotics are at a small increased risk of death compared with those who are not treated. There are insufficient data to give a firm estimate of the precise magnitude of the risk and the cause of increased risk is not known.
Droperidol is not indicated for the treatment of dementia-related behavioural disturbances.
Uses in patients with the following states. In patients with diagnosed / suspected phaeochromocytoma, severe hypertension and tachycardia have been observed after the administration of Droperidol Panpharma (see Contraindications). Therefore, the use of Droperidol Panpharma should be avoided in such patients.
Since Droperidol Panpharma may decrease pulmonary arterial pressure, this fact should be considered by those who conduct diagnostic or surgical procedures where interpretation of pulmonary arterial pressure measurements might determine final management of the patient. Vital signs should be monitored routinely.
Other CNS depressant drugs, e.g. barbiturates, tranquillisers, narcotics, and general anaesthetics, have additive or potentiating effects with Droperidol Panpharma. When patients have received such drugs, the dose of Droperidol Panpharma required will be less than usual. Likewise, following the administration of Droperidol Panpharma the dose of other CNS depressant drugs should be reduced.
Droperidol Panpharma should be administered with caution to patients with liver and kidney dysfunction because of the importance of these organs in the metabolism and excretion of drugs. When the EEG is used for postoperative monitoring, it may be found that the EEG pattern returns to normal slowly.
Interactions
Drugs known to prolong the QT interval are contraindicated with Droperidol Panpharma. Examples include certain antiarrhythmics, such as those of Class IA (such as quinidine, disopyramide and procainamide) and Class III (such as amiodarone and sotalol); tricyclic antidepressants (such as amitriptyline); certain tetracyclic antidepressants (such as maprotiline); certain antipsychotic medications (such as phenothiazines, pimozide and sertindole); certain antihistamines (such as astemizole and terfenadine); cisapride, bepridil, halofantrine and sparfloxacin.
Droperidol may potentiate the action of sedative drugs (barbiturates, benzodiazepines, morphinomimetics). The same applies to antihypertensive agents, so that orthostatic hypotension may ensue.
Like other sedative drugs, droperidol may potentiate respiratory depression caused by opioids. Since droperidol blocks dopamine receptors, it may inhibit the action of dopamine agonists, such as bromocriptine, lisuride, and L-dopa.
Theoretically, certain agents (e.g. phenobarbitone, carbamazepine, phenytoin), as well as smoking and alcohol consumption, which stimulate metabolising enzymes in the liver, may enhance the metabolic breakdown of neuroleptics, possibly necessitating adjustment of the dose.
Adverse effects
Central nervous system. Extrapyramidal reactions. A low incidence of neuromuscular (extrapyramidal) reactions has been reported during the administration of Droperidol Panpharma. The incidence and severity of these symptoms are related to the dose and occur at relatively high doses, but may disappear or become less severe when the dose is reduced. The reactions may be of the Parkinson type, motor restlessness, dystonia, akathisia, hyperreflexia, opisthotonos, or oculogyric crises. They are reversible by the administration of anti-Parkinson drugs, such as benztropine mesylate or diphenhydramine hydrochloride.
Tardive dyskinesia. Tardive dyskinesia may develop in patients on antipsychotic drugs. The disorder consists of repetitive involuntary movements of the tongue, face, mouth, or jaw (e.g. protrusion of the tongue, puffing the cheeks, puckering of the mouth, chewing movements). The trunk and limbs are less frequently involved. It has been reported that fine vermicular movements of the tongue may be an early sign of the syndrome. Both the risk of developing the syndrome and the likelihood that it will become irreversible are believed to increase as the duration of treatment and the total cumulative dose of the drug increases. Less commonly, the syndrome can develop after relatively brief treatment periods at low doses. The risk seems to be greater in elderly patients, especially females. The syndrome may become clinically recognizable either during treatment, upon dosage reduction, or upon withdrawal of treatment.
The dosage of antipsychotic drugs should be reduced periodically (if clinically possible) and the patient observed for signs of the disorder, since the syndrome may be masked by a higher dose. In patients requiring long-term treatment, the smallest dose and the shortest duration of treatment producing a satisfactory clinical response should be sought.
Tardive dyskinesia may be masked when treatment is reinstituted, when the dosage is increased, or when a switch is made to a different antipsychotic drug. Such masking is temporary. There is no known effective treatment for tardive dyskinesia. Anti-Parkinsonian agents usually do not alleviate symptoms. It is suggested that anti-psychotic agents be discontinued if symptoms of tardive dyskinesia appear.
Neuroleptic malignant syndrome. A potentially fatal syndrome called neuroleptic malignant syndrome has been reported in association with anti-psychotic drugs including droperidol. The syndrome is characterised by muscular rigidity, fever, hyperthermia, altered consciousness and autonomic instability (e.g. tachycardia, labile blood pressure, profuse sweating, dyspnoea).
The management of neuroleptic malignant syndrome should include immediate discontinuation of anti-psychotic drugs, intensive monitoring and treatment of symptoms, and treatment of any associated medical problems.
Other central nervous system effects. Drowsiness is frequently reported. Dizziness, chills and/or shivering, restlessness, isolated cases of anxiety, and post-operative hallucinatory episodes (sometimes associated with transient periods of mental depression) may occur.
Cardiovascular. The most frequent adverse reactions reported to occur are mild to moderate hypotension and occasionally tachycardia, but these effects usually subside without treatment.
Cases of QT-interval prolongation, ventricular arrhythmias and sudden death have been reported rarely. They may occur more frequently with high doses and in predisposed patients.
Cases of venous thromboembolism, including cases of pulmonary embolism and cases of deep vein thrombosis have been reported with antipsychotic drugs-frequency not known.
General. When Droperidol Panpharma is used with a narcotic analgesic, respiratory depression, apnoea, and muscular rigidity can occur. If these remain untreated, respiratory arrest could occur.
In rare cases, body temperature disregulation has been reported. Hypersensitivity reactions such as rash or angio-oedema have been reported rarely.
The following adverse reactions have been noted with related compounds, although a causal relationship has not been established. The physician, however, should be aware of their possible occurrence.
Haematological. Leucopenia and leucocytosis, minimal decreases in red blood cell counts, anaemia or a tendency towards lymphocytosis.
Hepatic. Impaired liver function and/or jaundice.
Skin and appendages. Maculopapular and acneform skin rashes. Isolated cases of photosensitivity and loss of hair.
Respiratory. Laryngospasm, bronchospasm and increased depth of respiration.
Endocrine. Hormonal effects of antipsychotic neuroleptic drugs include hyperprolactinaemia, which may cause galactorrhoea, gynaecomastia, mastalgia and menstrual irregularities including amenorrhoea. Other endocrine adverse effects include impotence, increased libido, hyperglycaemia and hypoglycaemia. Very rare cases of Syndrome of Inappropriate ADH Secretion have been reported.
Gastrointestinal. Anorexia, jaundice, constipation, diarrhoea, hypersalivation, dyspepsia, nausea and vomiting.
Autonomic nervous system. Dry mouth, blurred vision, urinary retention and diaphoresis.
Dosage and Administration
Dosage should be individualised. Some of the factors to be considered in determining the dose are age, body weight, physical status, underlying pathological condition, use of other drugs, type of anaesthesia to be used and the surgical procedure involved.
Vital signs should be monitored routinely. To minimise the risk of ventricular arrhythmia, an electrocardiograph (ECG) should be performed and examined for evidence of QT prolongation before any operation commences. ECG monitoring should continue during the surgical procedure and subsequently for a period of time consistent with best medical judgement. This should be at least 7 hours after the end of the procedure. (See Contraindications and Precautions.)
Anaesthesia. Usual adult dosage. 1. Premedication. To be appropriately modified in the elderly, debilitated, and those who have received other depressant drugs - 2.5 to 10 mg may be administered intravenously 30 to 60 minutes pre-operatively.
2. Adjunct to general anaesthesia. Induction - 2.5 mg per 10 kg may be administered (usually intravenously) along with an analgesic and/or general anaesthetic.
Maintenance - 1.25 mg to 2.5 mg given intravenously (see Precautions regarding use with concomitant narcotic analgesic indication and the possibility of widely differing duration of action).
3. Use without a general anaesthetic in diagnostic and minor surgical procedures. Administer the appropriate premedication (see 1. Premedication) 30 to 60 minutes before the procedure. For maintenance as in 2 above.
Note. When Droperidol Panpharma is used in certain procedures, such as bronchoscopy, appropriate topical anaesthesia is still necessary.
4. Adjunct to regional anaesthesia. 2.5 to 5 mg may be administered intramuscularly or by slow intravenous injection when additional sedation is required.
Usual paediatric dosage. For children two to twelve years of age a reduced dose as low as 1.0 to 1.5 mg per 10 kg is recommended for induction of anaesthesia.
See Precautions for use of droperidol with other CNS depressants and in patients with altered response.
Psychiatry. Adult dosage. As a neuroleptic for motor restraint or relief of acute symptomatology. Droperidol Panpharma is usually given by the intramuscular route in doses of 5 to 25 mg. For most cases, dose of 10 to 25 mg is recommended. Repeat doses may be given every 4-6 hours if necessary.
Intravenous administration. In certain circumstances Droperidol Panpharma may be administered by slow intravenous drip infusion in normal saline, 5% glucose or lactated ringer's solution, in doses of 50 to 125 mg daily, divided into two infusions of 250 mL, each over a period of twenty minutes.
Overdosage
Acute Toxicity - The toxic dose in man is not known.
Symptoms of overdosage. In general, the symptoms of overdosage would be an exaggeration of known pharmacological effects and adverse reactions, the most prominent of which would be:
1. Severe extrapyramidal reactions;
2. Hypotension;
3. Sedation (over-tranquillisation).
The patient would appear comatose with respiratory depression and hypotension that could be severe enough to produce a shock-like state. The extrapyramidal reaction would be manifested by muscular weakness or rigidity, and a generalised or localised tremor, as demonstrated by the akinetic or agitans types respectively. Convulsions may occur at toxic doses.
Cases of QT-interval prolongation, ventricular arrhythmias and sudden death have been reported rarely.
Treatment of overdosage. Since there is no specific antidote, treatment is primarily supportive.
Immediate cardiac monitoring by ECG is recommended for any patient who has received an overdose of Droperidol Panpharma. The ECG should be evaluated for possible QT-prolongation and the patient should be evaluated for factors that could predispose to the occurrence of torsades de pointes, such as electrolyte disturbances (especially hypokalaemia or hypomagnesaemia) and bradycardia.
In the presence of hypoventilation or apnoea, oxygen should be administered and respiration should be assisted or controlled as indicated. ECG monitoring should be instituted. A patent airway must be maintained, e.g. by use of oropharyngeal airway or endotracheal tube, or in prolonged cases of coma, by tracheostomy. Hypotension and circulatory collapse may be counteracted by use of intravenous fluids, plasma, or concentrated albumin, and vasopressor agents such as ephedrine or metaraminol. In case of severe extrapyramidal reactions, anti-Parkinson medication should be administered.
If Droperidol Panpharma is ingested, gastric aspiration or introduction of emesis should be carried out immediately.
For information on the management of overdose, contact the Poisons Information Centre on 13 11 26 (Australia).
Presentation
Droperidol Panpharma 0.5 mg/mL is presented in the following:
as a 3 mL ampoule in a carton of 5 or 10; each ampoule contains 1.25 mg droperidol. Not all carton sizes may be marketed.
It contains 0.5 mg/mL droperidol, mannitol and tartaric acid in water for injections, together with sodium hydroxide for pH adjustment.
Droperidol Panpharma 2.5 mg/mL is presented in the following:
1 mL ampoule in a carton of 5, 10 or 50; each ampoule contains 2.5 mg droperidol. Not all carton sizes may be marketed.
2 mL ampoule in a carton of 5, 10 or 50; each ampoule contains 5.0 mg droperidol. Not all carton sizes may be marketed.
It contains 2.5 mg/mL droperidol, mannitol and tartaric acid in water for injections, together with sodium hydroxide for pH adjustment.
Product is for single use in one patient only. Discard any residue.
Storage
Store below 30°C.
Protect from light.
