Droperidol (Inapsine) has been used effectively
for nausea and vomiting in pregnancy, but it is now
used infrequently because of its risks. Droperidol
can cause a prolonged QT interval on electrocardiographic
(ECG) testing and even torsades de
pointes, a potentially fatal arrhythmia; deaths have
been reported in patients who received doses that
were lower than the standard doses of this agent.
As a result, there is a black-box warning associated
with its use in all patients, and it is recommended
that all patients undergo 12-lead ECG testing before,
during, and 3 hours after administration