Haloperidol

Haloperidol (ha loe per' i dole) Haldol®¶ Studies have shown that older adults with dementia (a brain disorder that affects the ability to remember, think clearly, communicate, and perform daily activities and that may cause changes in mood and personality) who take antipsychotics (medications for mental illness) such as haloperidol have an increased chance of death during treatment. Haloperidol is not approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of behavior problems in older adults with dementia. Talk to the doctor who prescribed this medication if you, a family member, or someone you care for has dementia and is taking haloperidol. For more information, visit the FDA website: http://www.fda.gov/Drugs

Haloperidol is used to treat psychotic disorders (conditions that cause difficulty telling the difference between things or ideas that are real and things or ideas that are not real). Haloperidol is also used to control motor tics (uncontrollable need to repeat certain body movements) and verbal tics (uncontrollable need to repeat sounds or words) in adults and children who have Tourette's disorder (condition characterized by motor or verbal tics). Haloperidol is also used to treat severe behavioral problems such as explosive, aggressive behavior or hyperactivity in children who cannot be treated with psychotherapy or with other medications. Haloperidol is in a group of medications called conventional antipsychotics. It works by decreasing abnormal excitement in the brain.

Haloperidol comes as a tablet and concentrated liquid to take by mouth. It is usually taken two or three times a day. Take haloperidol at around the same times every day. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take haloperidol exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor. Your doctor will probably start you on a low dose of haloperidol and gradually increase your dose. Your doctor may decrease your dose once your condition is controlled. Be sure to tell your doctor how you are feeling during your treatment with haloperidol. Haloperidol may help control your condition, but will not cure it. Continue to take haloperidol even if you feel well. Do not stop taking haloperidol without talking to your doctor. Your doctor will probably decrease your dose gradually. If you suddenly stop taking haloperidol, you may experience difficulty controlling your movements.

Before receiving haloperidol injection or haloperidol extended-release injection, tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to haloperidol, any other medications, or any of the ingredients in haloperidol injection or haloperidol extended-release injection. Ask your pharmacist for a list of the ingredients. tell your doctor and pharmacist what other prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking or plan to take. Be sure to mention any of the following: alprazolam (Xanax); amiodarone (Cordarone, Nexterone, Pacerone); anticoagulants (blood thinners); antifungals medications such as itraconazole (Onmel, Sporanox) and ketoconazole (Nizoral); antihistamines (in cough and cold medications); medications for anxiety, depression, irritable bowel disease, mental illness, motion sickness, Parkinson's disease, seizures, ulcers, or urinary problems; buspirone; carbamazepine (Carbatrol, Tegretol, Teril, others); chlorpromazine; disopyramide (Norpace); diuretics ('water pills'); epinephrine (Adrenalin, Epipen, Twinject, others); erythromycin (E.E.S., E-Mycin, Erythrocin); fluoxetine (Prozac, Sarafem, Selfemra); fluvoxamine (Luvox); lithium (Lithobid); moxifloxacin (Avelox); narcotic medications for pain; nefazodone; paroxetine (Brisdelle, Paxil, Pexeva); promethazine (Promethegan); quinidine (in Nuedexta); rifampin (Rifadin, Rimactane, in Rifamate, in Rifater); sedatives; sertraline (Zoloft); sleeping pills; tranquilizers; and venlafaxine (Effexor XR). Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects. Many other medications may also interact with haloperidol, so be sure to tell your doctor about all the medications you are taking, even those that do not appear on this list. tell your doctor if you have Parkinson's disease (PD; a disorder of the nervous system that causes difficulties with movement, muscle control, and balance). Your doctor will probably tell you not to receive haloperidol injection. tell your doctor if you have a low number of white blood cells. Also tell your doctor if you have or have ever had QT prolongation (an irregular heart rhythm that can lead to fainting, loss of consciousness, seizures, or sudden death); bipolar disorder (condition that causes episodes of depression, episodes of mania, and other abnormal moods); trouble keeping your balance; an abnormal electroencephalogram (EEG; a test that records electrical activity in the brain); seizures; an irregular heartbeat; low levels of potassium or magnesium in your blood; or heart or thyroid disease. tell your doctor if you are pregnant, especially if you are in the last few months of your pregnancy, or if you plan to become pregnant or are breastfeeding. If you become pregnant while receiving haloperidol, call your doctor. Haloperidol may cause problems in newborns following delivery if it is given during the last months of pregnancy. if you are having surgery, including dental surgery, tell the doctor or dentist that you are receiving haloperidol injection. you should know that receiving haloperidol injection or haloperidol extended-release injection may make you drowsy and may affect your ability to think clearly, make decisions, and react quickly. Do not drive a car or operate machinery after you receive haloperidol injection or haloperidol extended-release injection until you know how this medication affects you. you should know that alcohol can add to the drowsiness caused by this medication. Do not drink alcohol during your treatment with haloperidol. you should know that haloperidol injection may cause dizziness, lightheadedness, and fainting when you get up too quickly from a lying position. To avoid this problem, get out of bed slowly, resting your feet on the floor for a few minutes before standing up.

Unless your doctor tells you otherwise, continue your normal diet.

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember it. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and continue your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one.

Haloperidol may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away: dry mouth increased saliva blurred vision loss of appetite constipation diarrhea heartburn nausea vomiting difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep blank facial expression uncontrollable eye movements unusual, slowed, or uncontrollable movements of any part of the body restlessness agitation nervousness mood changes dizziness, feeling unsteady, or having trouble keeping your balance headache breast enlargement or pain breast milk production missed menstrual periods decreased sexual ability in men increased sexual desire difficulty urinating If you experience any of the following symptoms, call your doctor immediately: fever muscle stiffness falling confusion fast or irregular heartbeat sweating decreased thirst neck cramps tongue that sticks out of the mouth tightness in the throat difficulty breathing or swallowing fine, worm-like tongue movements uncontrollable, rhythmic face, mouth, or jaw movements seizures eye pain or discoloration decreased vision, especially at night seeing everything with a brown tint rash yellowing of the skin or eyes erection that lasts for hours Haloperidol may cause other side effects. Tell your doctor if you have any unusual problems while you are taking this medication. If you experience a serious side effect, you or your doctor may send a report to the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program online (http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch) or by phone (1-800-332-1088).

Keep all appointments with your doctor. Do not let anyone else take your medication. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about refilling your prescription. It is important for you to keep a written list of all of the prescription and nonprescription (over-the-counter) medicines you are taking, as well as any products such as vitamins, minerals, or other dietary supplements. You should bring this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to a hospital. It is also important information to carry with you in case of emergencies. ¶ This branded product is no longer on the market. Generic alternatives may be available.