What is 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 other purposes not listed in this medication guide.

What is the most important information I should know about 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 can cause side effects that may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be awake and 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.
Avoid drinking alcohol. It can increase drowsiness or dizziness caused by 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 Haloperidol?

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

It is not known whether haloperidol is harmful to an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment.
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.

Haloperidol Side Effects

What are the possible side effects of Haloperidol?

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 any of these serious side effects:

dizziness, fainting, fast or pounding heartbeat
restless muscle movements in your eyes, tongue, jaw, or neck
tremor (uncontrolled shaking)
seizure (convulsions)
pale skin, easy bruising or bleeding, flu symptoms
very stiff (rigid) muscles, high fever, sweating, confusion, fast or uneven heartbeats, tremors, feeling like you might pass out
stabbing chest pain, feeling short of breath, cough with yellow or green mucus
sudden mood changes, agitation, hallucinations, unusual thoughts or behavior; or
jaundice (yellowing of your skin or eyes)

Less serious side effects may include:

headache, dizziness, spinning sensation, drowsiness
sleep problems (insomnia)
feeling restless or anxious
mild skin rash or itching
breast enlargement, irregular menstrual periods, loss of interest in sex; or
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.

Haloperidol Interactions

What other drugs affect 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.
The following drugs can interact with haloperidol. Tell your doctor if you are using any of these:

lithium (Eskalith, Lithobid, others)
seizure medication
a blood thinner such as warfarin (Coumadin); or
rifampin (Rifadin, Rifamate, Rimactane)

This list is not complete and there may be other drugs that can interact with haloperidol. Tell your doctor about all your prescription and over-the-counter medications, vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start a new medication without telling your doctor.

What should I avoid while taking Haloperidol?

Haloperidol can cause side effects that may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be awake and 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.
Avoid drinking alcohol. It can increase drowsiness or dizziness caused by 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.

Haloperidol Dosage

How should I take Haloperidol?

Take this medication exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Do not take it in larger 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 from this medication.
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 of using this medicine before your symptoms improve. For best results, keep using the medication as directed. Do not stop using haloperidol suddenly, or you could have unpleasant withdrawal symptoms. Talk to your doctor about how to avoid withdrawal symptoms when stopping the medication.
Store haloperidol at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

What happens if I overdose on Haloperidol?

Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine. 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 happens if I miss a dose of Haloperidol?

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then to take the medicine and skip the missed dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.
Sourced from everydayhealth.com

Haloperidol