Haldol

Pronunciation: HAL-oh-PER-i-dol
Generic Name: Haloperidol
Brand Name: Haldol

Haldol is an antipsychotic. It may increase the risk of death when used to treat mental problems caused by dementia in elderly patients. Most of the deaths were linked to heart problems or infection. Haldol is not approved to treat mental problems caused by dementia.

Haldol is used for:

Treating schizophrenia. It is also used to control symptoms associated with Tourette disorder. It may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor.

Haldol is an antipsychotic agent. Exactly how it works is not known, but it may work by blocking certain chemicals in the brain.

Do NOT use Haldol if:

• you are allergic to any ingredient in Haldol


• you are in a coma, have Parkinson disease, or have severe central nervous system depression (eg, severe drowsiness, slow or shallow breathing)


• you have severely low levels of certain white blood cells (neutrophils)


• you are taking astemizole, dofetilide, dronedarone, nilotinib, propafenone, sodium oxybate (GHB), terfenadine, or tetrabenazine

Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.

Before using Haldol:

Some medical conditions may interact with Haldol. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:

• if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding


• if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement


• if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances


• if you have the blood disease porphyria, low white blood cell levels, electrolyte problems (eg, low blood magnesium, low blood potassium), or high or low blood pressure


• if you have a history of dementia, Alzheimer disease, seizures, an abnormal electroencephalogram (EEG), thyroid problems, neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS), or low white blood cell levels caused by a medicine


• if you have heart problems or irregular heartbeat (eg, QT prolongation, long QT syndrome), or if a member of your family has a history of these conditions


• if you have had high blood prolactin levels or a history of certain types of cancer (eg, breast, pancreas, pituitary), or if you are at risk of breast cancer


• if you are dehydrated, drink alcohol, or if you are regularly exposed to extreme heat


• if you are taking medicine that may increase the risk of a certain type of irregular heartbeat (QT prolongation) or the risk of electrolyte problems (eg, low blood potassium). Check with your doctor if you are unsure if any of your medicines may increase these risks

Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Haldol. Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:

• Antiarrhythmics (eg, amiodarone, disopyramide, dofetilide, dronedarone, flecainide, procainamide, quinidine, propafenone, sotalol), antipsychotics (eg, iloperidone, paliperidone, ziprasidone), arsenic, astemizole, bepridil, chloroquine, cisapride, dolasetron, domperidone, droperidol, halofantrine, ketolides (eg, telithromycin), kinase inhibitors (eg, lapatinib, nilotinib), macrolides (eg, erythromycin), maprotiline, methadone, phenothiazines (eg, thioridazine), pimozide, quinolone antibiotics (eg, levofloxacin, moxifloxacin), terfenadine , or tetrabenazine because the risk of serious heart-related side effects may be increased


• Lithium because unexpected toxic effects, including weakness, severe tiredness, confusion, unusual muscle movements, and brain damage, have occurred in a few patients taking this combination. It is not known whether the combination of haloperidol and lithium may have caused this reaction. Discuss any questions or concerns with your doctor


• Tramadol because the risk of seizures may be increased


• Anticholinergics (eg, benztropine) or carbamazepine because they may increase the risk of Haldol's side effects or decrease Haldol's effectiveness


• Azole antifungals (eg, ketoconazole, itraconazole) because they may increase the risk of Haldol's side effects


• Rifampin because it may decrease Haldol's effectiveness


• Anticoagulants (eg, warfarin), narcotic pain medicines, or sodium oxybate (GHB) because the risk of their side effects may be increased by Haldol

This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Haldol may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.

How to use Haldol:

Use Haldol as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.

• Haldol is usually given as an injection at your doctor's office, hospital, or clinic. If you will be using Haldol at home, a health care provider will teach you how to use it. Be sure you understand how to use Haldol. Follow the procedures you are taught when you use a dose. Contact your health care provider if you have any questions.


• Do not use Haldol if it contains particles, is cloudy or discolored, or if the vial is cracked or damaged.


• Keep this product, as well as syringes and needles, out of the reach of children and pets. Do not reuse needles, syringes, or other materials. Ask your health care provider how to dispose of these materials after use. Follow all local rules for disposal.


• If you miss a dose of Haldol, use it as soon as possible. Use the remaining doses for the day at evenly spaced intervals. Do not take 2 doses at once.

Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Haldol.

Important safety information:

• Haldol may cause drowsiness, dizziness, or blurred vision. These effects may be worse if you take it with alcohol or certain medicines. Use Haldol with caution. Do not drive or perform other possibly unsafe tasks until you know how you react to it.


• Do NOT drink alcohol while you are using Haldol.


• Check with your doctor before you use medicines that may cause drowsiness (eg, sleep aids, muscle relaxers) while you are using Haldol; it may add to their effects. Ask your pharmacist if you have questions about which medicines may cause drowsiness.


• Do NOT use more than the recommended dose or suddenly stop using Haldol without checking with your doctor.


• Haldol may cause you to become sunburned more easily. Avoid the sun, sunlamps, or tanning booths until you know how you react to Haldol. Use a sunscreen or wear protective clothing if you must be outside for more than a short time.


• Do not become overheated in hot weather or while you are being active; heatstroke may occur.


• Tell your doctor or dentist that you take Haldol before you receive any medical or dental care, emergency care, or surgery.


• NMS is a possibly fatal syndrome that can be caused by Haldol. Symptoms may include fever; stiff muscles; confusion; abnormal thinking; fast or irregular heartbeat; and sweating. Contact your doctor at once if you have any of these symptoms.


• Some patients who take Haldol may develop muscle movements that they cannot control. This is more likely to happen in elderly patients, especially women. The chance that this will happen or that it will become permanent is greater in those who take Haldol in higher doses or for a long time. Muscle problems may also occur after short-term treatment with low doses. Tell your doctor at once if you have muscle problems with your arms; legs; or your tongue, face, mouth, or jaw (eg, tongue sticking out, puffing of cheeks, mouth puckering, chewing movements) while taking Haldol.


• Diabetes patients - Haldol may affect your blood sugar. Check blood sugar levels closely. Ask your doctor before you change the dose of your diabetes medicine.


• Haldol may lower the ability of your body to fight infection. Avoid contact with people who have colds or infections. Tell your doctor if you notice signs of infection like fever, sore throat, rash, or chills.


• Haldol may increase the amount of a certain hormone (prolactin) in your blood. Symptoms may include enlarged breasts, missed menstrual period, decreased sexual ability, or nipple discharge. Contact your doctor right away if you experience any of these symptoms.


• Haldol may rarely cause a prolonged, painful erection. This could happen even when you are not having sex. If this is not treated right away, it could lead to permanent sexual problems such as impotence. Contact your doctor right away if this happens.


• Lab tests, including complete blood cell counts, may be performed while you use Haldol. These tests may be used to monitor your condition or check for side effects. Be sure to keep all doctor and lab appointments.


• Use Haldol with caution in the ELDERLY; they may be more sensitive to its effects, especially uncontrolled muscle movements.


• Haldol should be used with extreme caution in CHILDREN; safety and effectiveness in children have not been confirmed.


• PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: If you become pregnant, contact your doctor. You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of taking Haldol while you are pregnant. Using Haldol during the third trimester may result in uncontrolled muscle movements or withdrawal symptoms in the newborn. Discuss any questions or concerns with your doctor. Haldol is found in breast milk. Do not breast-feed while taking Haldol.

Possible side effects of Haldol:

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:

Constipation; diarrhea; dizziness; drowsiness; dry mouth; headache; loss of appetite; nausea; restlessness; stomach upset; trouble sleeping.

Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur:

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); blurred vision or other vision changes; chest pain; confusion; dark urine; decreased or difficult urination; decreased sexual ability; dehydration; difficulty speaking or swallowing; drooling; enlarged breasts; excessive or unusual sweating; fainting; fast or irregular heartbeat; fever, chills, or persistent sore throat; hallucinations; mental or mood changes (eg, abnormal thinking, agitation, anxiety, depression); missed menstrual period or other menstrual changes; nipple discharge; prolonged, painful erection; rigid or stiff muscles; seizures; severe or persistent dizziness, headache, or vomiting; shortness of breath or unusual cough; shuffling walk; uncontrolled muscle movements (eg, of the arms, legs, tongue, jaw, cheeks; tremors; twitching); yellowing of the skin or eyes.

This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your health care provider. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. To report side effects to the appropriate agency, please read the Guide to Reporting Problems to FDA.

See also: Haldol side effects (in more detail)

If OVERDOSE is suspected:

Contact 1-800-222-1222 (the American Association of Poison Control Centers), your local poison control center, or emergency room immediately. Symptoms may include agitation; muscle rigidity, tremor, or weakness; rapid or irregular pulse; slow or shallow breathing; unusual drowsiness or deep sleep; very dry mouth.

Proper storage of Haldol:

Store Haldol at room temperature, between 59 and 86 degrees F (15 and 30 degrees C). Store away from heat, moisture, and light. Do not store in the bathroom. Do not freeze. Keep Haldol out of the reach of children and away from pets.

General information:

• If you have any questions about Haldol, please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.


• Haldol is to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people.


• If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor.


• Check with your pharmacist about how to dispose of unused medicine.

This information is a summary only. It does not contain all information about Haldol. If you have questions about the medicine you are taking or would like more information, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.

Issue Date: February 1, 2012

Database Edition 12.1.1.002

Copyright © 2012 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc.

More Haldol resources

• Haldol Side Effects (in more detail)
• Haldol Use in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
• Drug Images
• Haldol Drug Interactions
• Haldol Support Group
• 9 Reviews for Haldol - Add your own review/rating

• Haldol Prescribing Information (FDA)


• Haldol Advanced Consumer (Micromedex) - Includes Dosage Information


• Haldol Concise Consumer Information (Cerner Multum)


• Haloperidol Monograph (AHFS DI)


• Haloperidol Professional Patient Advice (Wolters Kluwer)


• Haloperidol Prescribing Information (FDA)


• Haldol Decanoate Advanced Consumer (Micromedex) - Includes Dosage Information


• Haldol Decanoate Prescribing Information (FDA)

Compare Haldol with other medications

• Dementia
• ICU Agitation
• Mania
• Nausea/Vomiting
• Psychosis
• Tourette's Syndrome