Drug Class: Antipsychotic

Table of Contents

Overview

Haldol (haloperidol) is classified as an antipsychotic medication and is used to treat schizophrenia. It relieves symptoms for patients that suffer from delusions, hallucinations, unorganized thought and hostility. It is also used to control speech and motor tics in people with Tourette’s syndrome.

This medicine may also be prescribed to treat severe behavioral problems in children. Haloperidol may be prescribed for other uses as well.

This information is for educational purposes only. Not every known side effect, adverse effect, or drug interaction is in this database. If you have questions about your medicines, talk to your health care provider.

It works by helping change certain chemicals in the brain, which professionals refer to as “neurotransmitters.” It is not yet well-understood why changing these neurochemicals results in symptom relief for the conditions this drug is commonly prescribed for.

How to Take It

Take this medicine exactly as directed by your doctor or pharmacist. This medicine should be taken continually, even if you are feeling better. Haloperidol comes in a tablet and a liquid concentrate to be taken orally. Follow the directions on your prescription label. Do not take more or less of this medicine than prescribed. Do not share this medicine with other people.

Side Effects

Side effects that may occur while taking this medicine include:

  • constipation
  • dry mouth
  • fainting
  • weight gain
  • drowsiness
  • restlessness
  • dizziness
  • headache

Contact your doctor immediately if you experience:

  • confusion
  • problems urinating
  • unusual bleeding or bruising
  • fast or irregular heartbeat
  • severe muscle stiffness
  • restlessness
  • mask-like facial expression
  • drooling
  • skin rash
  • difficulty swallowing or speaking
  • eye pain or discoloration
  • slow or jerky movements

Warnings & Precautions

  • Tell your doctor or dentist that you are taking this medicine if you are having surgery.
  • Alcoholic beverages can increase the effects of this medicine and should be avoided.
  • This medicine may cause drowsiness, dizziness or lightheadedness. DO NOT drive, operate machinery, or do anything else that could be dangerous until you know how you react to this medicine.
  • DO NOT use this medication if you have Parkinson’s disease or severely low levels of certain white blood cells (neutrophils).
  • Untreated mood/mental problems including schizoaffective disorders / schizophrenia can be serious conditions. DO NOT stop taking this medication before consulting your doctor.
  • Haloperidol can reduce sweating, making you prone to heatstroke. Avoid hard work and exercise in hot weather.
  • Tell your doctor if you have allergies, an overactive thyroid, glaucoma, bipolar disorder, difficulty urinating, or heart problems.
  • For an overdose, seek medical attention immediately. For non-emergencies, contact your local or regional poison control center at 1-800-222-1222.

Drug Interactions

Before taking any new medicine, either prescription or over-the-counter, check with your doctor or pharmacist. This includes supplements and herbal products.

Let your doctor know if you are taking any of the following medications:

paroxetine, isoniazid (INH), methyldopa, cabergoline, chlorpromazine, thioridazine belladonna alkaloids, fluphenazine, scopolamine, carbamazepine, rifampin, ketoconazole, lithium, levodopa, carbidopa, selegiline, pergolide, or quinupristin-dalfopristin.

This is not a complete list of the medications that my interact with haloperidol. Report to your doctor any medications you are currently taking.

Dosage & Missed Dose

This medication may be taken as a tablet or in a solution form. It may also be given as an injection by your health care provider.

Tablets come in 0.5 mg, 1 mg, 2 mg, 5 mg, 10 mg, and 20 mg.

Doses may vary, depending on symptom severity as well as other underlying health conditions.

Take your next dose as soon as you remember. If it is time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular schedule. Do not double doses or take extra medicine to make up for the missed dose.

Storage

Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store it at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture (preferably not in the bathroom). Throw away any medication that is outdated or no longer needed.

Pregnancy/Nursing

If you plan on becoming pregnant, discuss with your doctor the benefits and risks of using this medicine during pregnancy. It is NOT known if this medicine is excreted in breast milk. It is recommended that you DO NOT breast-feed while taking this medicine unless your doctor or pediatrician has told you to.

More Information

For more information, talk to your doctor, pharmacist or health care provider, or you can visit this website, https://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/meds/a682180.html for additional information from the manufacturer of this drug.