Haldol

Generic Name: haloperidol (HAL oh PER i dol)

Brand Names: Haldol

What is Haldol (haloperidol)?

Haloperidol is an antipsychotic medication. It works by changing the actions of chemicals in your brain.

Haloperidol is used to treat schizophrenia. It is also used to control motor and speech tics in people with Tourette's syndrome.

Haloperidol may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

What is the most important information I should know about Haldol (haloperidol)?

Haloperidol is not for use in psychotic conditions related to dementia. Haloperidol may cause heart failure, sudden death, or pneumonia in older adults with dementia-related conditions. You should not use this medication if you are allergic to haloperidol, or have certain conditions. Be sure your doctor knows if you have Parkinson's disease.

Before taking haloperidol, tell your doctor if you have liver disease, kidney disease, heart disease, angina (chest pain), a thyroid disorder, epilepsy or other seizure disorder, a personal or family history of "Long QT syndrome," or an electrolyte imbalance such as low potassium or magnesium levels in your blood.

Haloperidol may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be alert.

Avoid getting up too fast from a sitting or lying position, or you may feel dizzy. Get up slowly and steady yourself to prevent a fall.

Drinking alcohol can increase certain side effects of haloperidol. Call your doctor at once if you have tremor (uncontrolled shaking) or restless muscle movements in your eyes, tongue, jaw, or neck.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking Haldol (haloperidol)?

Haloperidol is not for use in psychotic conditions related to dementia. Haloperidol may cause heart failure, sudden death, or pneumonia in older adults with dementia-related conditions. You should not use this medication if you are allergic to haloperidol, or have certain conditions. Be sure your doctor knows if you have Parkinson's disease.

To make sure you can safely take haloperidol, tell your doctor if you have any of these other conditions:

• liver disease;


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  kidney disease;

  
  


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  heart disease, angina (chest pain);

  
  


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  a thyroid disorder;

  
  


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  epilepsy or other seizure disorder;

  
  


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  a personal or family history of "Long QT syndrome"; or

  
  


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  an electrolyte imbalance such as low potassium or magnesium levels in your blood.

  
  

FDA pregnancy category C. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant while using this medication. Taking antipsychotic medication during the last 3 months of pregnancy may cause problems in the newborn, such as withdrawal symptoms, breathing problems, feeding problems, fussiness, tremors, and limp or stiff muscles. However, you may have withdrawal symptoms or other problems if you stop taking your medicine during pregnancy. If you become pregnant while taking haloperidol, do not stop taking it without your doctor's advice. Haloperidol can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

How should I take Haldol (haloperidol)?

Take exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Do not take in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended. Follow the directions on your prescription label.

Your doctor may occasionally change your dose to make sure you get the best results.

Taking too much of this medication can cause a serious heart rhythm disorder or sudden death. Never take more than your prescribed dose. Take haloperidol with a full glass of water.

Haloperidol can be taken with or without food.

It may take several weeks before your symptoms improve. Keep using the medication as directed and tell your doctor if your symptoms do not improve. Do not stop using haloperidol suddenly, or you could have unpleasant withdrawal symptoms. Ask your doctor how to avoid withdrawal symptoms when you stop using haloperidol. Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222. An overdose of haloperidol can be fatal.

Overdose symptoms may include extreme drowsiness, feeling like you might pass out, tremors, and uncontrolled muscle movements in your eyes, tongue, jaw, or neck.

What should I avoid while taking Haldol (haloperidol)?

Haloperidol may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be alert.

Avoid getting up too fast from a sitting or lying position, or you may feel dizzy. Get up slowly and steady yourself to prevent a fall.

Drinking alcohol can increase certain side effects of haloperidol.

Avoid becoming overheated or dehydrated during exercise and in hot weather. You may be more prone to heat stroke while you are taking haloperidol.

Haldol (haloperidol) side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. Call your doctor at once if you have a serious side effect such as:

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  dizziness, fainting, fast or pounding heartbeat;

  
  


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  restless muscle movements in your eyes, tongue, jaw, or neck;

  
  


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  tremor (uncontrolled shaking);

  
  


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  seizure (convulsions);

  
  


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  pale skin, easy bruising or bleeding, flu symptoms;

  
  


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  very stiff (rigid) muscles, high fever, sweating, confusion, fast or uneven heartbeats, tremors, feeling like you might pass out;

  
  


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  stabbing chest pain, feeling short of breath, cough with yellow or green mucus;

  
  


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  sudden mood changes, agitation, hallucinations, unusual thoughts or behavior; or

  
  


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  jaundice (yellowing of your skin or eyes).

  
  

Less serious side effects may include:

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  headache, dizziness, spinning sensation, drowsiness;

  
  


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  sleep problems (insomnia);

  
  


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  feeling restless or anxious;

  
  


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  mild skin rash or itching;

  
  


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  breast enlargement, irregular menstrual periods, loss of interest in sex; or

  
  


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  dry mouth, blurred vision, urinating less than usual.

  
  

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What other drugs will affect Haldol (haloperidol)?

Before using haloperidol, tell your doctor if you regularly use other medicines that make you sleepy (such as cold or allergy medicine, narcotic pain medicine, sleeping pills, muscle relaxers, and medicine for depression or anxiety). They can add to sleepiness caused by haloperidol.

Tell your doctor about all other medicines you use, especially:

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  arsenic trioxide (Trisenox);

  
  


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  a blood thinner such as warfarin (Coumadin);

  
  


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  lithium (Eskalith, Lithobid, others);

  
  


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  seizure medication;

  
  


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  rifampin (Rifadin, Rifamate, Rimactane);

  
  


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  tacrolimus (Prograf);

  
  


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  an antibiotic such as clarithromycin (Biaxin), erythromycin (E.E.S., EryPed, Ery-Tab, Erythrocin, Pediazole), levofloxacin (Levaquin), moxifloxacin (Avelox), or pentamidine (NebuPent, Pentam);

  
  


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  an antidepressant such as amitriptylline (Elavil, Vanatrip, Limbitrol), clomipramine (Anafranil), or desipramine (Norpramin);

  
  


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  anti-malaria medications such as chloroquine (Aralen) or mefloquine (Lariam);

  
  


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  heart rhythm medicine such as amiodarone (Cordarone, Pacerone), dofetilide (Tikosyn), disopyramide (Norpace), dronedarone (Multaq), ibutilide (Corvert), procainamide (Procan, Pronestyl), propafenone (Rythmol), quinidine (Quin-G), or sotalol (Betapace);

  
  


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  medicine to prevent or treat nausea and vomiting such as dolasetron (Anzemet), droperidol (Inapsine), or ondansetron (Zofran);

  
  


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  medicines to treat psychiatric disorders, such as chlorpromazine (Thorazine), clozapine (FazaClo, Clozaril), pimozide (Orap), thioridazine (Mellaril), or ziprasidone (Geodon);

  
  


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  migraine headache medicine such as sumatriptan (Imitrex, Treximet) or zolmitriptan (Zomig); or

  
  


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  narcotic medication such as methadone (Methadose, Diskets, Dolophine).

  
  

This list is not complete and other drugs may interact with haloperidol. Tell your doctor about all medications you use. This includes prescription, over-the-counter, vitamin, and herbal products. Do not start a new medication without telling your doctor.

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 MedFacts Consumer Leaflet (Wolters Kluwer)


• Haldol Prescribing Information (FDA)


• Haldol Advanced Consumer (Micromedex) - Includes Dosage Information


• Haloperidol Prescribing Information (FDA)


• Haloperidol Professional Patient Advice (Wolters Kluwer)


• Haloperidol Monograph (AHFS DI)


• Haldol Decanoate MedFacts Consumer Leaflet (Wolters Kluwer)


• Haldol Decanoate Prescribing Information (FDA)


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

Compare Haldol with other medications

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

Where can I get more information?

• Your pharmacist can provide more information about haloperidol.

See also: Haldol side effects (in more detail)