Haloperidol
Description
Haloperidol is an antipsychotic drug that is used in the treatment of Schizophrenia and other mood disorders. This drug should be taken at the same time regularly.
Do not stop taking this medicine suddenly without informing your doctor as it may cause withdrawal symptoms.
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Side effects
Major & minor side effects for Haloperidol
- Difficulty in swallowing
- Loss of balance control
- Muscle spasm
- Twisting of body parts
- Shaking of hands or feet
- Skin rash
- Dizziness
- Convulsions (seizures)
- Fast heartbeat
- Blurred vision
- Constipation
- Weight gain
Uses of Haloperidol
What is it prescribed for?
- Schizophrenia
- Tourette Syndrome
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Concerns
Commonly asked questions
- Onset of actionThe effect of this medicine can be observed in 30 to 60 minutes after an intravenous or intramuscular dose
- Duration of effectThe effect of this medicine lasts for an average duration of 2 to 4 weeks
- Safe with alcohol?Consumption of alcohol with this medicine is not recommended as it can result in dizziness and difficulty in concentration. Avoid activities that need mental alertness like driving and operating machinery.
- Is it habit forming?No habit forming tendency has been reported
- Usage in pregnancy?This medicine is not recommended for pregnant women. Use only if clearly needed when no safer alternative is available.
- Usage while breast-feeding?This medicine is known to be excreted in human breast milk. It is not recommended for breastfeeding women. Use only if clearly needed when no safer alternative is available.
Allergy
Not recommended in patients with known allergy to Haloperidol
Severe central nervous system depression
Not recommended in patients with depression, coma, and uncontrolled seizures disorder.
Warnings for special population
Pregnancy
This medicine is not recommended for pregnant women. Use only if clearly needed when no safer alternative is available.
Breast-feeding
This medicine is known to be excreted in human breast milk. It is not recommended for breastfeeding women. Use only if clearly needed when no safer alternative is available.
General warnings
Dementia- related psychosis
Haloperidol is not approved for use in patients with dementia-related psychosis due to the increase in the risk of death.
Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome
Haloperidol should be discontinued immediately if the patient develops Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome characterized by an increase in the body temperature, muscle rigidity, altered consciousness.
Tardive dyskinesia
Haloperidol may cause involuntary movements of tongue, lips, and face. Inform the doctor if you have these symptoms. Gradual dose reduction or discontinuation of the medicine should be considered.
Seizures
Haloperidol is used with caution in the patients with a history of seizures or with conditions that lower the seizure threshold
Elderly population
Haloperidol is used with caution in the elderly population due to the increased risk of orthostatic hypotension and kidney injury.
Missed Dose
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it’s almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose. Do not double your dose to make up for the missed dose.
Overdose
Seek emergency medical treatment or contact the doctor in case of an overdose.
All drugs interact differently for person to person. You should check all the possible interactions with your doctor before starting any medicine.
Interaction with Alcohol
Description
Use of this medicine with alcohol will cause depression of the central nervous system and respiratory system.
Instructions
Consumption of alcohol with this medicine is not recommended as it can result in dizziness and difficulty in concentration. Avoid activities that need mental alertness like driving and operating machinery.
Interaction with Medicine
Clozapine
Tramadol
Antihypertensives
Levodopa
Disease interactions
Dementia
This medicine is not recommended in the patients with dementia-related psychosis as it increases the risk of heart diseases like heart failure and infectious diseases like pneumonia. An alternate medicine should be considered based on the clinical condition.
Parkinson's disease
This medicine is not recommended in patients with Parkinson's disease as it may worsen the disease. Inform your doctor if you experience any symptoms of slow body movements, tremors, and rigidity. An alternate class of medicine should be considered based on the clinical condition.
Food interactions
Information not available.
Lab interactions
Information not available.
Take Haloperidol as instructed by your doctor. Do not take in larger amounts than advised. Consult the doctor if you experience any undesirable effects. Do not stop taking the medicine without consulting your doctor as it may cause withdrawal symptoms.
Miscelleneous
How it works
It works by binding to the receptors and inhibits release of the chemical substances that cause psychotic symptoms.
Legal Status
Classification
Category
Antipsychotics
Schedule
Schedule H
[Internet]. 2017 [cited 2 May 2017]. Available from:
Haloperidol: MedlinePlus Drug Information [Internet]. Medlineplus.gov. 2017 [cited 2 May 2017]. Available from:
DailyMed - Haloperidol lactate injection, solution [Internet]. Dailymed.nlm.nih.gov. 2017 [cited 2 May 2017]. Available from:
Prescribing medicines in pregnancy database [Internet]. Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA). 2017 [cited 2 May 2017]. Available from:
[Internet]. Toxnet.nlm.nih.gov. 2017 [cited 2 May 2017]. Available from:
Information on this page was last updated on 16 Nov 2017
Disclaimer
We’ve made all possible efforts to ensure that the information provided here is accurate, up-to-date and complete, however, it should not be treated as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Practo only provides reference source for common information on medicines and does not guarantee its accuracy or exhaustiveness. The absence of a warning for any drug or combination thereof, should not be assumed to indicate that the drug or combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for any given patient. Practo does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information provided above. If you have any doubts about your medication then we strongly recommend that you consult with your doctor, nurse or healthcare provider. See detailed T&C here.