The following information is a summary about Haldol. It is not intended to replace a doctor's instructions.
What is haloperidol?
Haloperidol is an antipsychotic medication. It works by changing the actions of chemicals in
your brain.
Haloperidol is used to treat the symptoms of psychotic conditions, including hallucinations,
delusions, and confusion. Haloperidol is also used to treat Tourette's disorder, as well as behavioral
and hyperactive conditions in children.
Haloperidol may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.
What is the most important information I should know about haloperidol?
Call your doctor immediately if you experience uncontrollable movements of the mouth,
tongue, cheeks, jaw, arms, or legs.
Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardous activities.
Haloperidol may cause dizziness or drowsiness. If you experience dizziness or drowsiness, avoid these
activities.
Dizziness may be more likely to occur when you rise from a sitting or lying position. Rise slowly
to prevent dizziness and a possible fall.
Use alcohol cautiously. Alcohol may increase drowsiness and dizziness while you are taking
haloperidol.
Avoid becoming overheated during haloperidol therapy. It is easier to become dangerously
dehydrated while you are taking haloperidol. Use caution in hot weather and during exercise.
If you are injecting haloperidol at home, your healthcare provider will give you detailed
instructions on how and where to inject the medication. If you do not understand these directions, do
not attempt to inject the medication. Contact your healthcare provider for further instructions.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking
haloperidol?
Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you have
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liver disease or other problems with your liver;
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kidney disease;
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heart disease or other heart problems such as high blood
pressure, a history of a heart attack, or irregular heartbeats;
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seizures or epilepsy;
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an enlarged prostate or difficulty urinating; or
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glaucoma.
You may not be able to take haloperidol, or you may require a lower dose
or special monitoring during treatment if you have any of the conditions listed above.
It is not known whether haloperidol will harm an unborn baby. Do not take haloperidol
without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant.
Haloperidol passes into breast milk. It is not known whether haloperidol will affect a nursing
baby. Do not take this medication without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
How should I take haloperidol?
Take haloperidol exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do not understand these directions,
ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you
Take each dose with a full glass of water.
Haloperidol can be taken with or without food.
Do not stop taking haloperidol without the approval of your doctor. It may be several
weeks before you begin to feel better, and you may require continuous treatment for quite some time.
Talk to your doctor before you stop taking this medication.
If you are injecting haloperidol at home, your healthcare provider will give you detailed
instructions on how and where to inject the medication. If you do not understand these directions, do
not attempt to inject the medication. Contact your healthcare provider for further instructions.
Store oral and injectable haloperidol at room temperature away from moisture and heat.
What happens if I miss a dose?
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next
dose, skip the missed dose and take only your next regularly scheduled dose. Do not
take a double dose of this medication.
What happens if I overdose?
Seek emergency medical attention.
Symptoms of a haloperidol overdose include drowsiness, slurred speech, agitation, restlessness,
convulsions, fever, an irregular heartbeat, coma, and death.
What should I avoid while taking haloperidol?
Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardous activities.
Haloperidol may cause dizziness or drowsiness. If you experience dizziness or drowsiness, avoid these
activities.
Dizziness may be more likely to occur when you rise from a sitting or lying position. Rise slowly
to prevent dizziness and a possible fall.
Use alcohol cautiously. Alcohol may increase drowsiness and dizziness while you are taking
haloperidol.
Avoid becoming overheated during haloperidol therapy. It is easier to become dangerously
dehydrated while you are taking haloperidol. Use caution in hot weather and during exercise.
Haloperidol side effects
If you experience any of the following serious side effects, stop taking haloperidol and seek
emergency medical attention:
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an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of your throat;
swelling of your lips, tongue, or face; or hives);
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uncontrollable movements of the mouth, tongue, cheeks,
jaw, arms or legs; or
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yellowing of your skin or eyes.
Other, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur. Continue to
take haloperidol and talk to your doctor if you experience
Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor
about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.
What other drugs will affect haloperidol?
Before taking haloperidol, tell your doctor if you are taking any of the following medicines:
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a barbiturate such as phenobarbital (Luminal, Solfoton),
pentobarbital (Nembutal), amobarbital (Amytal), or secobarbital (Seconal);
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carbamazepine (Tegretol);
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fluoxetine (Prozac);
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lithium (Eskalith, Lithobid, others);
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methyldopa (Aldomet);
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phenytoin (Dilantin);
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guanethidine (Ismelin); or
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a tricyclic antidepressant such as amitriptyline (Elavil,
Endep), doxepin (Sinequan), imipramine (Tofranil), nortriptyline (Pamelor), and others.
You may require special monitoring or a dosage adjustment if you are taking
any of the medicines listed above.
Haloperidol may increase the side effects of other drugs that cause drowsiness, including
antidepressants, alcohol, antihistamines, sedatives (medicines that treat insomnia), pain relievers, anxiety
medicines, muscle relaxants, and any other drug that makes you feel sleepy or relaxed. Tell your doctor
about all medicines that you are taking and do not take any medicine unless your doctor approves.
Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with haloperidol. Talk to your doctor and
pharmacist before taking any prescription or over-the-counter medicines.
Where can I get more information?
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Your pharmacist has more information about haloperidol written for health professionals that
you may read.
What does my medication look like?
Haloperidol is available with a prescription generically and under the brand name Haldol. Other
brand or generic formulations may also be available. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have
about this medication, especially if it is new to you.
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Haldol 0.5 mg--round, white tablets with a cut-out "H"
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Haldol 1 mg--round, yellow tablets with a cut-out "H"
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Haldol 2 mg--round, pink tablets with a cut-out "H"
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Haldol 5 mg--round, green tablets with a cut-out "H"
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Haldol 10 mg--round, aqua tablets with a cut-out "H"
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Haldol 20 mg--round, salmon-colored tablets with a
cut-out "H"
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Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your
medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.
