This entry was migrated from the earlier Pharmapedia app bundle and has not been reviewed by a named clinician on this site. It is provided for educational reference only — verify dosage and safety information against current, authoritative sources and a qualified healthcare professional before any clinical use.
Haloperidol is an antipsychotic medicine that is used to treat schizophrenia .
Haloperidol 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.
Indications
Haloperidol is an antipsychotic medicine that is used to treat schizophrenia .
Haloperidol 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.
Contraindications
You should not use haloperidol if you are allergic to it, or if you have:
Parkinson's disease ; or certain conditions that affect your central nervous system (such as severe drowsiness, or slowed thinking caused by taking other medicines or drinking alcohol).
Haloperidol may increase the risk of death in older adults with dementia-related psychosis and is not approved for this use.
Tell your doctor if you have ever had:
heart problems, angina (chest pain); long QT syndrome (in you or a family member); low blood pressure ; a seizure; a thyroid disorder; breast cancer ; or an electrolyte imbalance (such as low blood levels of potassium or magnesium).
Using antipsychotic medicine in the last 3 months of pregnancy may cause serious problems in the newborn . If you get pregnant, tell your doctor right away. Do not stop the medicine without your doctor's advice.
Ask a doctor if it is safe to breastfeed while using haloperidol.
Side Effects
Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
High doses or long-term use of haloperidol can cause a serious movement disorder that may not be reversible. The longer you use haloperidol, the more likely you are to develop this disorder, especially if you are a woman or an older adult.
Haloperidol may cause serious side effects. Call your doctor at once if you have:
uncontrolled muscle movements in your face (chewing, lip smacking, frowning, tongue movement, blinking or eye movement); muscle spasms in your neck, tightness in your throat, trouble swallowing; rapid changes in mood or behavior; fast or pounding heartbeats, fluttering in your chest, shortness of breath , and sudden dizziness (like you might pass out); cough with mucus, chest pain, feeling short of breath; low white blood cell counts --fever, chills, mouth sores, skin sores, sore throat , cough, trouble breathing; or severe nervous system reaction --very stiff (rigid) muscles, high fever, sweating, confusion, fast or uneven heartbeats, tremors, feeling like you might pass out.
Common side effects of haloperidol may include:
drowsiness ; headache; dizziness, spinning sensation; uncontrolled muscle movements; feeling restless or anxious; sleep problems ( insomnia ); or breast enlargement, irregular menstrual periods.
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.
Warnings
Haloperidol is not approved for use in older adults with dementia-related psychosis.
High Risk Groups
Haloperidol is not approved for use in older adults with dementia-related psychosis.
Adult Dosage
10 to 15 mg (12 (12.5)) 24 hourly PO — Initially
3 to 10 mg (6.5 (6.5)) 24 hourly PO — Maintenance
Scraped Dose — Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Your doctor may occasionally change your dose. Use the medicine exactly as directed.
Taking too much haloperidol can cause a serious heart rhythm disorder or sudden death. Never take more than your prescribed dose.
Measure liquid medicine with the supplied syringe or a dose-measuring device (not a kitchen spoon).
Your symptoms may not improve for several weeks.
You may have withdrawal symptoms if you stop using haloperidol suddenly. Ask your doctor before stopping the medicine.
Store at room temperature away from moisture, heat, and light. Do not allow liquid medicine to freeze.
Child Dosage
( ) — Not recommended in this age group
25 to 0 mg/kg (12 (12.5)) 12 hourly Oral — Maximum of 150 ug/kg
Neonatal Dosage
( ) — Not recommended in this age group
Drug Interactions
Haloperidol can cause a serious heart problem. Your risk may be higher if you also use certain other medicines for infections, asthma, heart problems, high blood pressure , depression , mental illness, cancer, malaria, or HIV.
Using haloperidol with other drugs that make you drowsy can worsen this effect. Ask your doctor before using opioid medication, a sleeping pill, a muscle relaxer, or medicine for anxiety or seizures .
Tell your doctor about all your other medicines, especially:
lithium; rifampin ; medicine to treat Parkinson's disease; seizure medicine; or a blood thinner -- warfarin , Coumadin , Jantoven .
This list is not complete. Other drugs may affect haloperidol, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products . Not all possible drug interactions are listed here.
Storage
Inj, Oral Concentrate Store Below 40°C. Refrigeration and Freezing is not recommended. Protect from Sunlight. Tab Store in a well closed container, Below 40°C. Protect from Sunlight and Moisture.