Butyrophenone Antiemetic — PONV

Droperidol

Brand names: Xomolix, Droleptan

Droperidol is a butyrophenone antipsychotic used in low dose as an antiemetic for the prevention and treatment of postoperative nausea and vomiting.

Dosing — being independently re-sourced

ClinCalc Pro is rebuilding its dose data from primary open sources — the manufacturer SmPC (eMC), the WHO Model Formulary and other official references — under clinician review. This drug's structured dose is not yet published here. Confirm all doses against the product SmPC and your local formulary before prescribing.

Clinical monograph

How it works

It antagonises central dopamine D2 receptors, including in the chemoreceptor trigger zone, blunting the emetic reflex.

Prescribing in practice

It prolongs the QT interval and can cause torsade de pointes, so avoid in known QT prolongation, significant electrolyte disturbance or concurrent QT-prolonging drugs, and correct potassium and magnesium first.
It can cause sedation, hypotension and, rarely, extrapyramidal reactions.
Use cautiously in the elderly and in those with Parkinson's disease or phaeochromocytoma.

Monitoring

Consider ECG assessment in at-risk patients and monitor for sedation, blood pressure and extrapyramidal effects.

Counselling the patient

This medicine is given to prevent or treat sickness after surgery.
Tell staff if you feel faint, restless or develop abnormal muscle movements.

Evidence & guidelines

Low-dose droperidol for PONV is supported by consensus antiemetic guidelines, with QT cautions reflecting regulatory safety warnings.

Reference: Xomolix SPC; MHRA Drug Safety Update 2001; PONV Consensus Guidelines (Gan et al. 2020); Drug verified in RxNorm (NLM); confirm dosing against the manufacturer SPC (eMC). Verify against your local formulary and current prescribing references before prescribing. Monograph status: clinician-reviewed (2026-07-04).

Curated clinical cross-links plus same-class fallbacks.

Calculators

Pathways