What is Haloperidol?
Haloperidol, an antipsychotic medication, is used in the treatment of schizophrenia.Haloperidol can also be used to treat motor and speech tics in people with Tourette syndrome.Haloperidol can be used in other ways not mentioned in this guide.
Side effects of Haloperidol
If you experience any of the following symptoms of an allergic reaction, seek immediate medical attention: hives, difficulty breathing, swelling of the face, lips, or throat.Haloperidol in high doses or for a long time can cause serious movement disorders that are not always reversible. Haloperidol can cause serious movement disorders, which may not be reversible.
Haloperidol may cause serious side effects. If you experience:
- Uncontrolled facial movements (such as lip smacking and frowning; tongue movement or blinking);
- You may experience muscle spasms, tightness, or difficulty swallowing in your throat.
- Rapid changes in mood or behavior
- You may experience rapid or pounding pulses, shortness of breath, and sudden dizziness.
- Cough, feeling of shortness of breath, chest pain, and mucus;
- Low white blood cell count: fever; mouth sores or skin sores; sore neck; coughing; difficulty breathing.
- Severe nervous system reaction: very stiff (rigid muscles), high fever, sweating profusely and confusion are symptoms. Fast or uneven heartbeats. Tremors. Feeling like you may pass out.
Haloperidol can cause a number of side effects.
- Drowsiness;
- Headache;
- Dizziness, spinning sensation;
- Uncontrolled muscle movements
- Feeling restless or anxious
- Sleep problems (insomnia);
- Breast enlargement and irregular menstrual cycles.
There may be other side effects.For medical advice regarding side effects, please reach out to your physician. The FDA can be reached at 1-800-FDA-1088 should any adverse events be experienced by calling them directly at this number.
Warnings
Haloperidol has not been approved for older adults who have dementia-related psychosis.
Before you take this drug
Haloperidol should not be used if:
- Parkinson disease
- Certain conditions affect the central nervous system. (For example, severe drowsiness or slow thinking due to taking other medications or drinking alcohol.)
Haloperidol can increase the risk of death in older adults who have dementia-related psychosis. This use is not approved.
Provide your doctor with any of the following details:
- Heart problems, angina (chest pain);
- Long-qt syndrome
- Low blood pressure
- A seizure;
- A thyroid disorder
- Breast cancer
- An electrolyte imbalance (such as a low potassium or magnesium level in the blood) is a problem.
Antipsychotic medication taken in the last three months of pregnancy can cause serious problems for the baby. If you become pregnant, notify your physician as soon as possible and do not stop taking prescribed medicine without first consulting them.Ask your doctor if you can safely breastfeed while taking haloperidol.
How to take Haloperidol?
Read and heed all instructions or guides provided with your medication, and follow them carefully.Sometimes, your doctor will change the dose. You must take the medication exactly as prescribed.Haloperidol overdose can lead to serious heart rhythm disorders or even sudden death. Do not take more haloperidol than prescribed.Use the syringe provided or a dosing device to measure liquid medicines (not a spoon).You may experience symptoms that persist for several weeks.If you suddenly stop taking haloperidol, you may experience withdrawal symptoms. Before stopping your medication, consult with your doctor.Store away from heat, moisture, and light.Liquid medicines must not be allowed to freeze.
What happens if I miss the dose?
If you are almost due for your next dose, skip the missed one. Never take two doses of the same medicine at once.
What happens if I overdose?
Call Poison Help at 1-800-222-1222 or seek emergency medical care. A haloperidol overdose can be fatal.
What should be avoided?
Alcohol consumption with haloperidol may cause adverse effects.Do not drive or engage in hazardous activities until you have determined how the medicine will affect you. You may have impaired reactions. You may get dizzy if you stand up quickly from a seated or lying position. Dizziness and severe drowsiness may cause you to fall, break bones, or suffer other injuries.
Interaction with other drug
Haloperidol may cause serious heart problems if taken with other medications for asthma, cancer, HIV, depression, mental illnesses, and high blood pressure.Haloperidol can make you more drowsy if taken with other drugs. Before taking an opioid, sleeping pill, muscle relaxer, or medicine to treat a seizure, ask your doctor.
Tell your doctor if you are taking any other medications, including:
- Lithium;
- Rifampin;
- Parkinson's disease treatment;
- Seizure medicine;
- A blood thinner: warfarin coumadin jantoven
This list is incomplete. Haloperidol may be affected by other drugs, such as prescription and over-the-counter medicines and vitamin and herb products. This list does not include all possible drug interactions.
