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2026-05-12
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Copyright (c) 2026 Emily Stephens, Rachel Kahle, Lindsey Ferraro, Laura Schulz
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.
Copyright of content published in INNOVATIONS in pharmacy belongs to the author(s).
Effect of single doses of droperidol or haloperidol on QTc Interval
Emily Stephens
OhioHealth Mansfield Hospital
https://orcid.org/0009-0001-5087-9565
Rachel Kahle
University of Findlay College of Pharmacy
https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7939-2913
Lindsey Ferraro
Ohio Northern University
https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7089-8037
Laura Schulz
Mercy Health St. Rita’s Medical Center
https://orcid.org/0009-0009-6991-4648
DOI: https://doi.org/10.24926/iip.v17i1.6968
Keywords: haloperidol, droperidol, dopamine antagonists, electrocardiography, qt interval, torsades de pointes
Abstract
Purpose: Droperidol and haloperidol are nonselective dopamine receptor blockers with clinical indications including postoperative nausea and vomiting and agitation. One signature side effect of both medications includes electrocardiogram (EKG) changes, such as QT prolongation. This may lead to torsades de pointes (TdP), a life-threatening arrhythmia.
Objectives: The primary objective of this study is to evaluate the change in the QTc interval following a single dose of droperidol or haloperidol.
Methods: This study entailed a retrospective chart review of inpatient medical records of adult patients who received a single dose of either droperidol or haloperidol. The primary outcome measure is the presence of QT prolongation following the administration of a single dose of droperidol or haloperidol.
Results: A total of 44 patients were included in the study. Patients were included in the study irrespective of their baseline QTc interval. QTc prolongation from baseline occurred in 52% of patients who received droperidol (13/25) and 79% of patients in the haloperidol group (15/19; p=0.113). As for patients who did not have prolonged QTc intervals at baseline, 9/15 patients (60%) in the droperidol group and 5/9 (56%) of patients in the haloperidol group experienced QTc after the study medication was administered (p=1).
Conclusions: There was no significant difference in the incidence of QTc prolongation following single doses of either droperidol or haloperidol. Future studies with larger sample sizes are needed to assess the effect of droperidol and haloperidol on QTc prolongation.
