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Haldol, |haloperidol

haloperidol

Generic Name: haloperidol (hal oh PER i doll)
Brand Names: Haldol

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?

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.

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

• liver disease or other problems with your liver;
• kidney disease;

• heart disease or other heart problems such as high blood pressure, a history of a heart attack, or irregular heartbeats;

• seizures or epilepsy;

• an enlarged prostate or difficulty urinating; or

• 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.

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

Haloperidol can be taken with or without food.

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 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?

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?

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.

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

• an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of your throat; swelling of your lips, tongue, or face; or hives);

• uncontrollable movements of the mouth, tongue, cheeks, jaw, arms or legs; or

• 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

• dizziness or drowsiness,

• headache,

• weakness or tremor (shaking),

• agitation,

• an increased heart rate,

• constipation,

• dry mouth, or

• weight gain.

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:

• a barbiturate such as phenobarbital (Luminal, Solfoton), pentobarbital (Nembutal), amobarbital (Amytal), or secobarbital (Seconal);

• carbamazepine (Tegretol);

• fluoxetine (Prozac);

• lithium (Eskalith, Lithobid, others);

• methyldopa (Aldomet);

• phenytoin (Dilantin);

• guanethidine (Ismelin); or

• 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?

• 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.

• Haldol 0.5 mg--round, white tablets with a cut-out "H"

• Haldol 1 mg--round, yellow tablets with a cut-out "H"

• Haldol 2 mg--round, pink tablets with a cut-out "H"

• Haldol 5 mg--round, green tablets with a cut-out "H"

• Haldol 10 mg--round, aqua tablets with a cut-out "H"

• Haldol 20 mg--round, salmon-colored tablets with a cut-out "H"

• 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.
• Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ("Multum") is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum"s drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum"s drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.