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Haloperidol is used to treat certain mental/mood disorders (e.g., schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorders). This medicine helps you to think more clearly, feel less nervous, and take part in everyday life. It can also help prevent suicide in people who are likely to harm themselves. It also reduces aggression and the desire to hurt others. It can decrease negative thoughts and hallucinations.Haloperidol can also be used to treat uncontrolled movements and outbursts of words/sounds related to Tourette's disorder. Haloperidol is also used for severe behavior problems in hyperactive children when other treatments or medications have not worked.Haloperidol is a psychiatric medication (antipsychotic-type) that works by helping to restore the balance of certain natural substances in the brain (neurotransmitters).Sometimes, haloperidol may be used in hospitalized patients who have severe behavior problems or confusion for short periods of time. This medication may also be used to prevent or treat nausea and vomiting due to cancer treatment.
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| Overview | Photos | How
To Use | Side
Effects | Precautions | Missed
Dose | Drug
Interactions | |
Haloperidol
Uses
Haloperidol is used to treat certain mental/mood disorders (e.g., schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorders). This medicine helps you to think more clearly, feel less nervous, and take part in everyday life. It can also help prevent suicide in people who are likely to harm themselves. It also reduces aggression and the desire to hurt others. It can decrease negative thoughts and hallucinations.Haloperidol can also be used to treat uncontrolled movements and outbursts of words/sounds related to Tourette's disorder. Haloperidol is also used for severe behavior problems in hyperactive children when other treatments or medications have not worked.Haloperidol is a psychiatric medication (antipsychotic-type) that works by helping to restore the balance of certain natural substances in the brain (neurotransmitters).Sometimes, haloperidol may be used in hospitalized patients who have severe behavior problems or confusion for short periods of time. This medication may also be used to prevent or treat nausea and vomiting due to cancer treatment.
Notes
- Do not share this medication with others.
Storage
- Store at room temperature between 59-86 degrees F (15-30 degrees C) away from light and moisture.
- Do not store in the bathroom.
- Keep all medicines away from children and pets.
How
To Use - Take this medication by mouth with or without food, or as directed by your doctor.
- If you are using the liquid form of the medication, use the measuring dropper provided in the package to measure your dose.
- If you do not have the dropper, ask your pharmacist for a measured oral syringe so that your dose will be correct.Dosage is based on your medical condition and response to therapy.
- Use this medication regularly in order to get the most benefit from it.
- To help you remember, use it at the same time(s) each day.Do not stop taking this medication without consulting your doctor.
- Some conditions may become worse when the drug is suddenly stopped.
- Your dose may need to be gradually reduced.Inform your doctor if your symptoms do not improve or if they worsen.
Side
Effects - Dizziness, drowsiness, difficulty urinating, sleep disturbances, headache, and anxiety may occur.
- If these effects persist or worsen, notify your doctor or pharmacist promptly.Tell your doctor promptly if any of these side effects occur: muscle spasm/stiffness, shaking (tremor), restlessness, mask-like facial expression, drooling.
- Your doctor may prescribe another medication for you to take with haloperidol to decrease these side effects.Remember that your doctor has prescribed this medication because the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects.
- Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects.In rare cases, haloperidol may increase your level of a certain chemical made by the body (prolactin).
- For females, this increase in prolactin may result in unwanted breast milk, missed/stopped periods, or difficulty becoming pregnant.
- For males, it may result in decreased sexual ability, inability to produce sperm, or enlarged breasts.
- If you develop any of these symptoms, tell your doctor immediately.For males, in the unlikely event you have a painful or prolonged erection (lasting more than 4 hours), stop using this drug and seek immediate medical attention, or permanent problems may occur.This medication may rarely cause a condition known as tardive dyskinesia.
- In some cases, this condition may be permanent.
- Tell your doctor immediately if you develop any facial/muscle twitching such as tongue thrusting, chewing movements, puffing or puckering of your mouth, or uncontrollable shaking.This medication may rarely cause a serious condition called neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS).
- Seek immediate medical attention if you develop any of the following symptoms: fever, muscle stiffness, severe confusion, increased sweating, fast/irregular heartbeat.Tell your doctor immediately if any of these rare but very serious side effects occur: dark urine, persistent nausea/vomiting, stomach/abdominal pain, yellowing of eyes/skin, seizures.Seek immediate medical attention if any of these rare but very serious side effects occur: slow heartbeat, chest pain, fainting.A very severe allergic reaction to this drug is unlikely, but seek immediate medical attention if it occurs.
- Symptoms of an allergic reaction include: rash, itching, swelling, dizziness, trouble breathing.If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.
Precautions
- Before taking haloperidol, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or if you have any other allergies.This medication should not be used if you have certain medical conditions.
- Before using this medicine, consult your doctor or pharmacist if you have: a certain severe nervous system problem (severe CNS depression), Parkinson's disease.This medication should not be given to a patient who is unconscious.Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: bipolar disorder, difficulty urinating (e.g., due to prostate problems), glaucoma, heart problems (e.g., angina, heart failure), overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism), seizures.This drug may make you dizzy or drowsy; use caution engaging in activities requiring alertness such as driving or using machinery.
- Limit alcoholic beverages.Before having surgery, be sure to tell your doctor or dentist that you are taking haloperidol.This medication can reduce sweating, making you more likely to get heatstroke.
- Avoid hard work and exercise in hot weather.Caution is advised when using this drug in elderly people because they may be more sensitive to the effects of the drug, especially drowsiness, difficulty urinating, and the effects on the heart.This medication should be used only when clearly needed during pregnancy.
- Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor.This drug passes into breast milk and could have undesirable effects on a nursing infant.
- Therefore, breast-feeding is not recommended while using this drug.
- Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.
Missed
Dose - If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember.
- If it is near the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and resume your usual dosing schedule.
- Do not double the dose to catch up.
Drug
Interactions - Your healthcare professionals (e.g., doctor or pharmacist) may already be aware of any possible drug interactions and may be monitoring you for it.
- Do not start, stop or change the dosage of any medicine before checking with them first.This drug should not be used with the following medications because very serious interactions may occur: cabergoline, pergolide, sibutramine, drugs which may affect the heart rhythm (QTc-prolonging drugs such as bepridil, droperidol, halofantrine, pimozide, sparfloxacin, amiodarone).Other drugs besides haloperidol and those listed above which may affect the heart rhythm (QTc prolongation in the EKG) include: dofetilide, quinidine, sotalol, procainamide, and erythromycin, among others.
- QTc prolongation can infrequently result in serious (rarely fatal) irregular heartbeat.
- Consult your doctor or pharmacist for more details and for instructions on how you may reduce the risk of this effect.If you are currently using any of these medications listed above, tell your doctor or pharmacist before starting haloperidol.Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all prescription and nonprescription/herbal products you may use, especially of: anticholinergic medications (e.g., antispasmodics such as belladonna alkaloids, scopolamine), carbamazepine, lithium, methyldopa, drugs for Parkinson's disease (e.g., levodopa and carbidopa, selegiline), quinupristin-dalfopristin, rifampin.Also report the use of drugs which might increase seizure risk (decrease seizure threshold) when combined with haloperidol such as: bupropion, isoniazid (INH), phenothiazines (e.g., chlorpromazine, fluphenazine, thioridazine), theophylline, tramadol, or tricyclic antidepressants (e.g., amitriptyline, nortriptyline), among others.
- Consult your pharmacist or doctor for more information.Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you also take drugs that cause drowsiness such as: certain antihistamines (e.g., diphenhydramine), anti-seizure medications (e.g., phenytoin, valproic acid), medicine for sleep or anxiety (alprazolam, clonazepam, zolpidem), muscle relaxants, narcotic pain relievers (e.g., codeine), psychiatric medications (e.g., risperidone, trazodone).Check the labels on all your medicines (e.g., allergy, cough-and-cold products) because they may contain drowsiness-causing ingredients.
- Ask your pharmacist about the safe use of those products.
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CONDITIONS
OF USE: The information in this database is intended to supplement, not substitute
for, the expertise and judgement of healthcare professionals. The information
is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, drug interactions
or adverse effects, nor should it be construed to indicate that use of a particular
drug is safe, appropriate or effective for you or anyone else. A healthcare professional
should be consulted before taking any drug, changing any diet or commencing or
discontinuing any course of treatment. |
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