Haloperidol: Drug Information

Generic name: Haloperidol

Brand Name: Aloperidin , Bioperidolo, Brotopon, Dozic, Duraperidol, Eukystol, Haldol, Halosten, Keselan, Linton

Other names: Benzydol, Brain-Rest, Cizoren, Depidol, Halidace, Halidol, Halopidol, Haloton, Oprex, Senorm, Seradol, Trancodol

Drug Class: Antipsychotic

Haloperidol is a medicine belonging to the class of drugs known as antipsychotic. It is widely used to treat chronic schizophrenia, Bipolar disorder and Hypomania. Haldol is also found useful for treating various symptoms of Tourette’s syndrome. It is known to have a calming, sedative and relaxing effect on schizophrenic patients. It helps reduce hallucinations and delusions and controls seizures. Haloperidol is also suppresses negative thoughts and delusions.

Dosage:

Haloperidol is given to patients requiring prolonged antipsychotic therapy and must be taken as prescribed by the physician. The medicine is available in injection as well as tablet form. Haloperidol should not be administered intravenously (IV) but should only be given intramuscularly (IM) to patients in injectable form. If taking orally, you can consume it with or without food at a specific time. DO NOT discontinue taking the medicine all of a sudden as this may result in various unwanted side effects and may even worsen some of the present symptoms.

Warning and Precautions:

Tell your doctor if you are allergic to any medicines or foods before taking this drug.

Haloperidol should not be given to patients with closed angle glaucoma, prostatic hypertrophy, cardiovascular disease, central nervous system (CNS) depression and Parkinson’s disease.

Haloperidol should not be given to patients with dementia-related psychosis or on antipsychotic drugs as it may result in death.

The safety of this drug has not yet been established in pregnancy and lactation. Therefore, you need to tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breast feeding before taking the medicine.

Caution is advised when administering Haloperidol to patients with a history of epilepsy, breast cancer, thyrotoxicosis, high blood pressure and pheochromocytoma.

Use of Haloperidol may lead to the development of a condition in the elderly known as tardive dyskinesia.

DO NOT consume alcohol when taking Haloperidol as it enhances the effects of central nervous system (CNS) depressants.

Drug Interactions:

Haloperidol should not be co-administered with Carbamazepine and Rifampicin.

Haloperidol should not be given if the patient is taking any tricyclic antidepressants (TCA) as it increases the side effects of these drugs.

Haloperidol increases the lithium level of the blood causing a condition known as neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS). This is a fatal condition that is characterized by hyperpyrexia, muscular stiffness, changes in mental status, blood pressure, tachycardia and dysrhythmias.

Medicines such as metoclopramide, prochlorperazine and anticholinergics heighten the side effects of Haloperidol.

Side Effects of Haloperidol:

Some of the most common side effects of the medicine include, drowsiness, tardive dyskinesia, extrapyramidal reactions, anxiety, depression, hallucinations, dizziness, anorexia, tachycardia, hypotension, leucopoenia, dehydration, lowered seizure threshold, restlessness, excitability, confusion, tremor, stomach upset, dryness of the mouth, jerky movements and changes in weight.

Overdose:

Symptoms of an overdose with Haloperidol include severe extrapyramidal reactions, hypotension, drowsiness, fatigue, lethargy, hypertension, shock-like state and tremors. In case of a drug overdose it is advisable for you to contact your doctor or your local poison control center.