National Briefing | Science And Health: New Danger Found In Tranquilizer
Published: December 6, 2001
A commonly used tranquilizer is believed to cause fatal irregular heartbeats at far lower doses than expected, prompting the government to urge doctors to try other medications. The tranquilizer, droperidol, has long carried a warning about its use in high doses. The new warning says even low doses can be dangerous. The Food and Drug Administration said four people had died after being given relatively small 2.5-milligram doses.