Haloperidol For Outpatient Symptom Management in Patients Diagnosed With Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome in the Emergrency Department

Overview

Patients diagnosed with cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome that are safe for discharge from the emergency department will be sent an outpatient prescription for haloperidol to be used as needed at home. The study goal is to see if having this medication available helps to prevent return emergency department visits for recurrent or persistent symptoms.

Cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome is a relatively new syndrome characterized by nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain in the setting of excessive cannabis use. This clinical entity has become increasingly prevalent as the concentration of THC has increased in marijuana products over the past several decades. The symptoms have been treated successfully with several medications however the most efficacious appears to be dopamine antagonists such as haloperidol and droperidol. These dopamine antagonists have been used safely and successfully in the inpatient and emergency department settings to decrease the frequency and intensity of nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain in patients suffering from cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome. The investigators plan to evaluate haloperidol, a dopamine antagonist available as an oral formulation, as an option for outpatient management of these symptoms.

Conditions

Interventions

Eligibility

Locations (1)

Outcomes

Central Contacts