Haloperidol

For adults with psychosis or Tourette's syndrome, the usual starting dose of oral (taken by mouth) haloperidol ranges from 2 mg to 6 mg per day in 1 to 2 divided doses. Your doctor may gradually increase the dose to determine the most appropriate dose for you. Dosing depends on your age and needs and how well you tolerate the medication.

Seniors may require a lower starting dose, usually 0.25 mg to 0.5 mg taken 2 or 3 times a day.

For children 6 to 12 years old, the usual starting dose of oral haloperidol ranges from 0.25 mg to 0.5 mg taken 2 to 3 times a day. The doctor may recommend gradually increasing the dose and will determine the most appropriate dose. Dosing depends on how well the medication works for the child and how well it is tolerated. Haloperidol tablets should be taken with food or milk to avoid stomach upset.

Intramuscular injections of haloperidol can also be given to people with an acute psychotic attack or who are agitated or aggressive. For the ongoing treatment of psychiatric disorders, long-acting haloperidol injections are used to help decrease the number of pills some people have to take. The starting dose of the injection depends on the dose of oral haloperidol the person was previously taking. The long-acting injection is given intramuscularly (into a muscle), usually by a doctor or nurse, every 4 weeks. For some people who start using the long-acting injection, they may be taking both the oral and injection forms of haloperidol at the same time.

Many things can affect the dose of a medication that a person needs, such as body weight, other medical conditions, and other medications. If your doctor has recommended a dose different from the ones listed here, do not change the way that you are using the medication without consulting your doctor.

It is important that Haloperidol be taken exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Do not stop using the medication because you feel better. If you miss a dose, administer it as soon as possible and continue with your regular schedule. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and continue with your regular dosing schedule. Do not administer a double dose to make up for a missed one. If you are not sure what to do after missing a dose, contact your doctor or pharmacist for advice.

Store Haloperidol at room temperature, protect from light and moisture, and keep it out of the reach of children.

Do not dispose of medications in wastewater (e.g. down the sink or in the toilet) or in household garbage. Ask your pharmacist how to dispose of medications that are no longer needed or have expired.

In addition to its desired action, this medication may cause some adverse effects, notably: it may cause constipation - to prevent this, drink plenty of water or juice, and eat more dietary fibre; it may cause nausea or, rarely, vomiting; it may make your skin more sensitive to UV rays (e.g., sunlight, tanning lamps) - avoid exposure to UV rays as much as possible and protect yourself when out in the sun; it may cause weight gain, mostly with prolonged use; it may cause drowsiness - use caution when driving; it may cause shakiness; occasionally, it may cause trembling and involuntary movements (also known as dyskinesia). Each person may react differently to a treatment. If you think this medication may be causing adverse effects (including those described here, or others), talk to your health care professional. He or she can help you to determine whether or not the medication is the source of the problem.

0.5 mg
Each small, white, round, flat-faced, bevelled-edged, compressed tablet, engraved with "0.5" between a vertical broken bisect on one side and "novo" on the other, contains 0.5 mg of haloperidol. Nonmedicinal ingredients: sodium starch glycolate, dibasic calcium phosphate (dehydrates), microcrystalline cellulose, sodium lauryl sulfate, colloidal silicon dioxide, and magnesium stearate.

1.0 mg
Each yellow, round, flat-faced, bevelled-edged, compressed tablet, engraved "1" between a broken bisect on one side and stylized "N" on the other, contains 1 mg of haloperidol. Nonmedicinal ingredients: sodium starch glycolate, dibasic calcium phosphate (dehydrates), microcrystalline cellulose, sodium lauryl sulfate, colloidal silicon dioxide, magnesium stearate, FD&C Yellow No. 6 Aluminum Lake, and D&C Yellow No. 10 Aluminum Lake.

2.0 mg
Each pink, round, flat-faced, bevelled-edged, compressed tablet, engraved "2" between a broken horizontal bisect on one side and stylized "N" on the other, contains 2 mg of haloperidol. Nonmedicinal ingredients: sodium starch glycolate, dibasic calcium phosphate (dehydrates), microcrystalline cellulose, sodium lauryl sulfate, colloidal silicon dioxide, magnesium stearate, and FD&C Red No. 3 Lake.

5.0 mg
Each green, round, flat, bevelled-edged, compressed tablet, engraved "N" on one side and plain on the other, contains 5 mg of haloperidol. Nonmedicinal ingredients: sodium starch glycolate, dibasic calcium phosphate (dehydrates), microcrystalline cellulose, sodium lauryl sulfate, colloidal silicon dioxide, magnesium stearate, FD&C Yellow No. 6 Aluminum Lake, D&C Yellow No. 10 Aluminum Lake, and FD & C Blue No. 1 Aluminum Lake.

10 mg
Each aqua-marine, round, flat-faced, bevelled-edged, compressed tablet, engraved "10" between a broken vertical bisect on one side and stylized "N" on the other, contains 10 mg of haloperidol. Nonmedicinal ingredients: sodium starch glycolate, dibasic calcium phosphate (dehydrates), microcrystalline cellulose, sodium lauryl sulfate, colloidal silicon dioxide, magnesium stearate, FD & C Blue No. 1 Aluminum Lake, and D&C Yellow No. 10 Aluminum Lake.

20 mg
Each salmon, round, flat-faced, bevelled-edged, compressed tablet, engraved 20 between a broken vertical bisect on one side and stylized "N" on the other, contains 20 mg of haloperidol. Nonmedicinal ingredients: sodium starch glycolate, dibasic calcium phosphate (dehydrates), microcrystalline cellulose, sodium lauryl sulfate, colloidal silicon dioxide, magnesium stearate, FD&C Yellow No. 6 Aluminum Lake, FD&C Red No. 3 Lake, and FD & C Blue No. 1 Aluminum Lake.

Do not use Haloperidol if you:

• are allergic to haloperidol or any ingredients of the medication
• have a decreased level of consciousness, including those caused by using alcohol or other sedating medications, or coma
• have a history of spastic disease, lesions of the basal ganglia, or Parkinson's Disease
• have a tumour of the adrenal gland (pheochromocytoma)
• have a severe heart or blood vessel disorder
• have severe kidney problems
• have brain damage
• have liver disease
• have a blood cell disorder (Anemia, low white blood cell counts, low platelets)
• are going to receive anesthesia through the spine or for a specific region of the body

There may be an interaction between haloperidol and any of the following:

• Abiraterone
• aclidinium
• alcohol
• alpha-blockers (e.g., Alfuzosin, Doxazosin, Tamsulosin)
• amantadine
• Amiodarone
• amphetamines (e.g., Dextroamphetamine, Lisdexamfetamine)
• antihistamines (e.g., cetirizine, doxylamine, Diphenhydramine, Hydroxyzine, Loratadine)
• anti-Parkinson's medications (e.g., amantadine, Apomorphine, Bromocriptine, Entacapone, levodopa, Pramipexole, Ropinirole, Rotigotine)
• antipsychotics (e.g., Chlorpromazine, Clozapine, haloperidol, Olanzapine, Quetiapine, Risperidone)
• antiseizure medications (e.g., Carbamazepine, Clobazam, Levetiracetam, Phenobarbital, Phenytoin, primidone, Topiramate, Valproic acid, zonisamide)
• Apalutamide
• Aprepitant
• Atomoxetine
• atropine
• azelastine
• "azole" antifungals (e.g., itraconazole, ketoconazole, Voriconazole)
• barbiturates (e.g., butalbital, pentobarbital, phenobarbital)
• belladonna
• benzodiazepines (e.g., Alprazolam, Diazepam, Lorazepam)
• benztropine
• beta-adrenergic blockers (e.g., Atenolol, Propranolol, Sotalol)
• Bicalutamide
• Bosentan
• brimonidine
• Buprenorphine
• Bupropion
• Buspirone
• calcium channel blockers (e.g., Amlodipine, Diltiazem, Nifedipine, Verapamil)
• cancer medications (e.g., Carboplatin, Cyclophosphamide, Doxorubicin, Ifosfamide, thalidomide, Vincristine)
• cannabis
• Celecoxib
• chloral hydrate
• chloroquine
• Clonidine
• Cinacalcet
• conivaptan
• Dantrolene
• Darifenacin
• Deferasirox
• Degarelix
• Disopyramide
• dofetilide
• Domperidone
• Donepezil
• Dronedarone
• Eluxadoline
• Enzalutamide
• ergot alkaloids (e.g., ergotamine, Dihydroergotamine)
• Flavoxate
• Flecainide
• Flutamide
• formoterol
• Galantamine
• general anesthetics (medications used to put people to sleep before surgery)
• Glucagon
• glycopyrrolate
• glycopyrronium
• Hepatitis C (asunaprevir, dasabuvir, paritaprevir, ombitasvir)
• HIV non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTIs; e.g., efavirenz, etravirine, nevirapine)
• HIV protease inhibitors (e.g., atazanavir, indinavir, ritonavir, saquinavir)
• ipratropium
• kava kava
• ketotifen
• lithium
• macrolide antibiotics (e.g., azithromycin, clarithromycin, erythromycin)
• Mefloquine
• Methadone
• Methylphenidate
• Metoclopramide
• Mexiletine
• mifepristone
• Mirabegron
• Mirtazapine
• Modafinil
• monoamine oxidase inhibitors (M.O.S. e.g., Moclobemide, Rasagiline, Selegiline, Tranylcypromine)
• muscle relaxants (e.g., Baclofen, Cyclobenzaprine, methocarbamol, orphenadrine)
• Nabilone
• narcotic pain relievers (e.g., Codeine, Fentanyl, Morphine, Oxycodone)
• nitrates (e.g., isosorbide dinitrate, isosorbide mononitrate)
• non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs; e.g., Diclofenac, Ibuprofen, Naproxen)
• oxybutynin
• pentamidine
• phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitors (e.g., Sildenafil, Tadalafil, Vardenafil)
• potassium chloride (potassium supplements)
• Primaquine
• procainamide
• Propafenone
• quinidine
• quinine
• quinolone antibiotics (e.g., levofloxacin, Norfloxacin, moxifloxacin)
• rifabutin
• rifampin
• rilpivirine
• Rivastigmine
• Romidepsin
• St. John's wort
• salmeterol
• scopolamine
• selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs; e.g., Paroxetine, Fluoxetine, Citalopram)
• serotonin antagonists (anti-emetic medications; e.g., Granisetron, Ondansetron)
• serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (e.g., Desvenlafaxine, Duloxetine, Venlafaxine)
• sodium oxybate
• Solifenacin
• Stiripentol
• suvorexant
• Tacrolimus
• Tapentadol
• terbinafine
• Tetrabenazine
• thiazide diuretics (water pills; e.g., Hydrochlorothiazide, Indapamide, Metolazone)
• tiotropium
• Tocilizumab
• Tolterodine
• Tramadol
• Trazodone
• tricyclic antidepressants (e.g., Amitriptyline, Clomipramine, Desipramine, Trimipramine)
• Trospium
• Tryptophan
• tyrosine kinase inhibitors (e.g., Dasatinib, imatinib, Nilotinib, Sunitinib)
• umeclidinium
• Zolpidem
• Zopiclone

If you are taking any of these medications, speak with your doctor or pharmacist. Depending on your specific circumstances, your doctor may want you to:

• stop taking one of the medications,
• change one of the medications to another,
• change how you are taking one or both of the medications, or
• leave everything as is.

An interaction between two medications does not always mean that you must stop taking one of them. Speak to your doctor about how any drug interactions are being managed or should be managed.

Medications other than those listed above may interact with Haloperidol. Tell your doctor or prescriber about all prescription, over-the-counter (non-prescription), and herbal medications you are taking. Also tell them about any supplements you take. Since caffeine, alcohol, the Nicotine from cigarettes, or street drugs can affect the action of many medications, you should let your prescriber know if you use them.

Before you begin using a medication, be sure to inform your doctor of any medical conditions or Allergies you may have, any medications you are taking, whether you are pregnant or breast-feeding, and any other significant facts about your health. These factors may affect how you should use Haloperidol.

Body temperature: Haloperidol, like other antipsychotic medications, can disrupt the body's ability to control body temperature. People who exercise vigorously, who are exposed to extreme heat, are dehydrated, or are taking anticholinergic medications (e.g., Benztropine, Oxybutynin) are more at risk. Contact your doctor as soon as possible if you feel very hot and are unable to cool down.

Blood Clots: Haloperidol has been associated with blood clots in the legs and lungs. If you experience unusual pain, heat, or swelling in one leg or sudden difficulty breathing and chest pain, get immediate medical help.

Blood counts: Haloperidol can decrease the number of neutrophils (a type of white blood cell that helps fight infection), red blood cells (which carry oxygen), and platelets (which help your blood to clot). Your doctor will do blood tests to monitor this. If you notice any signs of infection (e.g., fever, chills, or sore throat) or unusual bleeding or bruising, contact your doctor immediately.

Blood sugar: Haloperidol may cause an increase in blood sugar levels (may cause a loss of blood glucose control) and glucose tolerance may change. This may happen to people who have never had high blood glucose levels. People with Diabetes may find it necessary to monitor their blood sugar more frequently while using Haloperidol.

If you have diabetes or are at risk for developing diabetes, discuss with your doctor how Haloperidol may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Haloperidol, and whether any special monitoring is needed.

Cardiovascular effects: Cases of sudden death or altered heartbeats (torsade de pointes) have been reported by people receiving haloperidol, especially at higher than recommended doses of any formulation. If you have a heart condition called QT prolongation and electrolyte imbalances (especially potassium and magnesium) or are taking other medications that are associated with QT prolongation you should discuss with your doctor how Haloperidol may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Haloperidol, and whether any special monitoring is needed.

Dizziness when standing up: Haloperidol can cause dizziness, especially when standing from a sitting or lying position. If you have cardiovascular disease, diabetes, or are a senior, discuss with your doctor how Haloperidol may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Haloperidol, and whether any special monitoring is needed, since you may be more likely to experience this side effect.

Drowsiness/reduced alertness: Haloperidol may affect the mental or physical abilities needed to drive or operate machinery, particularly when you first start taking the medication or increase your dose. Avoid driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardous tasks until you have determined how Haloperidol affects you.

Hyperthyroidism: If you have uncontrolled high Thyroid disease (hyperthyroidism), discuss with your doctor how Haloperidol may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Haloperidol, and whether any special monitoring is needed.

Kidney function: If you have decreased kidney function or Kidney Disease, discuss with your doctor how Haloperidol may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Haloperidol, and whether any special monitoring is needed.

Liver function: If you have decreased liver function or liver disease, discuss with your doctor how Haloperidol may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Haloperidol, and whether any special monitoring is needed.

Movement disorders: The use of haloperidol has been associated with a potentially irreversible movement disorder called tardive dyskinesia (TD). This syndrome involves the involuntary movements of facial muscles and the tongue. The risk of a person developing this syndrome is usually but not always linked to treatment duration and the total amount of antipsychotic medications taken.

If you develop signs and symptoms of TD during treatment with haloperidol, including sticking the tongue out, smacking the lips, pursing or puckering of lips, and blinking eyes rapidly, contact your doctor as soon as possible.

Neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS): Haloperidol, like other antipsychotic medications, can cause a potentially fatal syndrome known as neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS). If you notice the symptoms of NMS such as high fever; muscle stiffness; confusion or loss of consciousness; sweating; racing, or irregular heartbeat; or fainting; get immediate medical attention.

Prolonged erection (priapism): If an erection lasts longer than 4 hours (a rare occurrence), seek immediate medical assistance. If this condition is not treated quickly, tissue damage and permanent loss of the ability to have an erection could result.

Seizure disorders: Haloperidol may increase the frequency of seizures. If you have a seizure disorder or a history of drug- or medication-induced seizures, abnormal EEG, or head trauma, discuss with your doctor how Haloperidol may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Haloperidol, and whether any special monitoring is needed.

Stopping the medication: If Haloperidol needs to be stopped, it should be done gradually, under the supervision of your doctor. If you suddenly stop taking Haloperidol, you may experience symptoms of withdrawal.

Take the medication exactly as prescribed by your doctor, and do not stop taking the medication without checking with your doctor first.

Pregnancy: Haloperidol should not be used during pregnancy unless the benefits outweigh the risks. If you become pregnant while taking Haloperidol, contact your doctor immediately.

Breast-feeding: Haloperidol passes into breast milk. If you are a breast-feeding mother and are taking haloperidol, it may affect your baby. Talk to your doctor about whether you should continue breast-feeding.

Children: The safety and effectiveness of using Haloperidol have not been established for young children.

Seniors: Seniors taking Haloperidol may be more likely to develop side effects from haloperidol, especially fatigue and a decreased ability to sense thirst. Seniors taking haloperidol should ensure that they drink enough fluids to remain hydrated.

There may be a higher risk of strokes, mental decline and deaths associated with the use of haloperidol by elderly people with Dementia. Talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of using Haloperidol.

This product is usually injected into a muscle (intramuscularly) by a health professional. The injection may be sore for a few days. Use this medication regularly and continuously to maintain its beneficial effects. Consuming alcohol may intensify the effect of this product. It is therefore advisable to avoid consuming alcohol or alcohol-containing products while taking this medication.