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.

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 action
    The effect of this medicine can be observed in 30 to 60 minutes after an intravenous or intramuscular dose
  • Duration of effect
    The 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

Can be taken with or without food, as advised by your doctor

To be taken as instructed by doctor

May cause sleepiness

How it works
It works by binding to the receptors and inhibits release of the chemical substances that cause psychotic symptoms.
Legal Status

Approved

Approved

Approved

Approved

Classification

Category

Antipsychotics

Schedule

Schedule H

[Internet]. 2017 [cited 2 May 2017]. Available from:

https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/medicine/904

Haloperidol: MedlinePlus Drug Information [Internet]. Medlineplus.gov. 2017 [cited 2 May 2017]. Available from:

https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a682180.html

DailyMed - Haloperidol lactate injection, solution [Internet]. Dailymed.nlm.nih.gov. 2017 [cited 2 May 2017]. Available from:

https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=b1ad2abd-a9d6-44e3-957b-36a73260f4f5

Prescribing medicines in pregnancy database [Internet]. Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA). 2017 [cited 2 May 2017]. Available from:

https://www.tga.gov.au/prescribing-medicines-pregnancy-database#searchname

[Internet]. Toxnet.nlm.nih.gov. 2017 [cited 2 May 2017]. Available from:

https://toxnet.nlm.nih.gov/cgi-bin/sis/search2/f?./temp/~nJy9ub:1

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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.