Details

Haloperidol is an antipsychotic medicine. It works by changing the actions of chemicals in your brain. Haloperidol is used to treat schizophrenia. It is also used to control motor and speech tics in people with Tourette's syndrome. Haloperidol is not approved for use in psychotic conditions related to dementia. Haloperidol may increase the risk of death in older adults with dementia-related conditions. To make sure haloperidol is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have liver disease kidney disease heart disease, angina (chest pain) a thyroid disorder epilepsy or other seizure disorder personal or family history of long QT syndrome an electrolyte imbalance or if you take a blood thinner. Taking antipsychotic medication during the last 3 months of pregnancy may cause problems in the newborn, such as withdrawal symptoms, breathing problems, feeding problems, fussiness, tremors, and limp or stiff muscles.

Typical 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 behaviour 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 behaviour 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.

Side Effects

High doses or long-term use of haloperidol can cause a serious movement disorder that may not be reversible. Symptoms of this disorder include uncontrollable muscle movements of your lips, tongue, eyes, face, arms, or legs. The longer you take haloperidol, the more likely you are to develop a serious movement disorder. The risk of this side effect is higher in women and older adults. Common side effects of haloperidol include sudden mood changes, agitation, hallucinations, unusual thoughts or behaviour twitching or uncontrollable movements of your eyes, lips, tongue, face, arms, or legs stiffness in your neck, tightness in your throat, trouble breathing or swallowing sudden weakness or ill feeling, fever, chills, sore throat, swollen gums, painful mouth sores, pain when swallowing, skin sores, cold or flu symptoms, cough, easy bruising or bleeding stabbing chest pain, feeling short of breath, cough with yellow or green mucus headache with chest pain and severe dizziness, fainting, fast or pounding heartbeats seizure (convulsions) or severe nervous system reaction-very stiff (rigid) muscles, high fever, sweating, confusion, fast or uneven heartbeats, tremors, feeling like you might pass out.

Drug Interactions

• Haloperidol+abarelix- Using haloperidol together with abarelix can increase the risk of an irregular heart rhythm that may be serious and potentially life-threatening, although it is a relatively rare side effect. You may be more susceptible if you have a heart condition called congenital long QT syndrome, other cardiac diseases, conduction abnormalities, or electrolyte disturbances.
• Haloperidol+asenapine- Using haloperidol together with asenapine can increase the risk of an irregular heart rhythm that may be serious and potentially life-threatening, although it is a relatively rare side effect. You may be more susceptible if you have a heart condition called congenital long QT syndrome, other cardiac diseases, conduction abnormalities, or electrolyte disturbances.
• Haloperidol+bedaquiline- Using haloperidol together with bedaquiline can increase the risk of an irregular heart rhythm that may be serious and potentially life-threatening, although it is a relatively rare side effect. You may be more susceptible if you have a heart condition called congenital long QT syndrome, other cardiac diseases, conduction abnormalities, or electrolyte disturbances.
• Haloperidol+dasatinib- Using haloperidol together with dasatinib can increase the risk of an irregular heart rhythm that may be serious and potentially life-threatening, although it is a relatively rare side effect. You may be more susceptible if you have a heart condition called congenital long QT syndrome, other cardiac diseases, conduction abnormalities, or electrolyte disturbances.

Mechanism of action

Haloperidol belongs to a group of medicines called ‘antipsychotics’. It works by blocking the action of dopamine receptors in brain, which decreases the excessive dopamine activity in the brain.

Pregnancy Category : C