Haloperidol: functions, dosage, side effects, how to use it

What drug is Haloperidol?

What is Haloperidol used for?

Haloperidol is an oral medicine that is available in tablet or liquid form. However, this drug is also available as a liquid injection. This drug is included in the class of antipsychotic drugs that work by helping to balance natural chemicals present in the brain (neurotransmitters).

Haloperidol is commonly used to treat mental disorders, eg schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorders). This medicine helps you think more clearly, be less nervous, and participate actively in social life or everyday life.

This drug can also prevent patients from having suicidal thoughts, especially in people who like to injure themselves. Plus, this drug also reduces hallucinations.

Another use of haloperidol is to treat the uncontrolled movements associated with Tourette's syndrome. Haloperidol can also be used for behavioral problems in hyperactive children when therapy or other drugs cannot be used to treat the condition.

This drug is included in the type of prescription drug, so you cannot buy it at the pharmacy without a prescription from a doctor.

How do you use haloperidol?

Some of the following things you should pay attention to when using haloperidol, including:

• Take this medication with or without food as directed by your doctor.
• Meanwhile, the way to consume haloperidol in liquid form is to use a dose measuring device to measure the correct dose as prescribed. If you do not have one, ask your pharmacist so that you can get the right dose.
• The dose of this drug is determined by your doctor based on your health condition, age, body weight, laboratory tests, and response to your therapy.
• Use this remedy regularly for maximum benefits. To help you, use it every day at the same time.
• Do not stop taking your medication suddenly without your doctor knowing. Some conditions can worsen when the medicine is stopped suddenly.
• The best way to stop using haloperidol is to gradually decrease the dose.

How is haloperidol stored?

There are drug storage rules that you must use if you want to store haloperidol, including:

• This medication is best stored at room temperature, away from direct light and damp places.
• Do not store medicines in the bathroom and do not freeze them in the freezer.
• Other brands of this drug may have different storage rules.
• Observe the storage instructions on the product package or ask your pharmacist.
• Keep all medicines away from children and pets.

Meanwhile, if you want to get rid of this drug, follow the rules for disposal of haloperidol, which are:

• Do not dispose of medicines together with household waste.
• Do not flush it in the toilet or other drains.
• If you are not sure how to dispense a drug that is good and safe for environmental health, ask your pharmacist.

Medicines should be discarded immediately if they are no longer used or if their validity period has expired.

Haloperidol dosage

The information provided is not a substitute for medical advice. ALWAYS consult your doctor or pharmacist before starting treatment.

What is the dose of haloperidol for adults?

Adult dosage for psychosis

Oral dosage

• Dosage for moderate symptoms: 0.5-2 milligram (mg) orally 2-3 times a day.
• Dosage for severe symptoms: 3-5 mg orally 2-3 times daily
• Maintenance dose: This dose will be adjusted according to your condition.

Adult dosage for schizophrenia

Oral dosage

• Dosage for moderate symptoms: 0.5-2 milligram (mg) orally 2-3 times a day.
• Dosage for severe symptoms: 3-5 mg orally 2-3 times daily
• Maintenance dose: This dose will be adjusted according to your condition.

Adult dosage for agitation

Oral dosage

• Dosage for moderate symptoms: 0.5-2 milligram (mg) orally 2-3 times a day.
• Dosage for severe symptoms: 3-5 mg orally 2-3 times daily
• Maintenance dose: This dose will be adjusted according to your condition.

Injection dosage

• 2-5 mg injected IM every 4-8 hours
• Maximum dose: 20 mg / day

Adult dosage for Tourette's syndrome

Oral dosage

• Dosage for moderate symptoms: 0.5-2 milligram (mg) orally 2-3 times a day.
• Dosage for severe symptoms: 3-5 mg orally 2-3 times daily
• Maintenance dose: This dose will be adjusted according to your condition.

What is the dose of haloperidol for children?

Child dosage for psychosis

• Dosage for children aged 3-12 years with body weight 5-40 kg:
  • Initial dose: 0.5 mg / day taken 2-3 separate doses.
  • Increase the dose of 0.5 mg every 5-7 days for maximum effect.
  • Maintenance dose: 0.05-0.15 mg / kg / day in 2-3 separate doses.
• Dosage for children 13 years of age and over weighing more than 40 kg:
  • Dosage for moderate symptoms: 0.5-2 milligram (mg) orally 2-3 times a day.
  • Dosage for severe symptoms: 3-5 mg orally 2-3 times a day.
  • Maintenance dose: The dose will be adjusted according to the condition of each patient.

Child dosage for Tourette's syndrome

• Dosage for children aged 3-12 years weighing 15-40 kg:
  • Initial dose: 0.5 mg / day orally in 2-3 separate doses
  • Maintenance dose: 0.05-0.075 mg / kg / day
• Dosage for children aged 13 5 years and over weighing more than 40 kg:
  • Dosage for moderate symptoms: 0.5-2 milligram (mg) orally 2-3 times a day.
  • Dosage for severe symptoms: 3-5 mg orally 2-3 times a day.
  • Maintenance dose: The dose will be adjusted according to the condition of each patient.

Children's dosage for aggressive behavior

• Children's dosage for ages 3-12 years with a body weight of 15-40 kg:
  • Initial dose: 0.5 mg / day orally in 2-3 separate doses
  • Maintenance dose: 0.05-.075 mg / kg / day.

In what dosage is haloperidol available?

Haloperidol is available in different doses, including:

Concentrate, Oral, as lactate: 2 mg / mL (5 mL, 15 mL, 120 mL)
Solution, Intramuscular, as decanoate: 50 mg / mL, 100 mg / mL
Solution, Injection, as lactate: 5 mg / mL
Tablets, Oral: 0.5 mg, 1 mg, 2 mg, 5 mg, 10 mg, 20 mg

Haloperidol side effects

What side effects can be experienced due to haloperidol?

The use of haloperidol can also cause side effects of use, including:

• Dizzy
• Sleepy
• Difficulty urinating
• Sleep problems
• Headache
• Anxious
• Pain at the injection site
• Agitation
• Irregular menstrual cycle
• In men, loss of sexual desire
• The breasts are swollen and painful
• Mood swings
• Uncontrolled eye movements
• Nausea
• Gag
• Diarrhea
• Heartburn
• Saliva production increases
• Blurred eyesight
• Constipation

If these effects persist or get worse, notify your doctor or pharmacist immediately. However, there are also serious side effects that may occur due to using haloperidol, including:

• Irregular heartbeat
• Seizures
• The eyesight is getting less and less
• Skin rash
• There is a black dot when looking at something
• Lost the feeling of wanting to drink
• Neck cramps
• Fever
• Stiff muscles
• Heavy sweating
• My throat feels tight
• Can't breathe or chew

If you experience any of the serious side effects listed above, notify your doctor immediately and seek medical care.

Not everyone experiences the side effects mentioned above. In fact, some people may experience no side effects at all. There may be some side effects not listed above. If you have concerns about certain side effects after using this medicine, consult your doctor or pharmacist.

Haloperidol Drug Warnings and Cautions

What should be known before using Haloperidol?

Before using haloperidol, there are a number of things you should know, including:

• Tell your doctor and pharmacist if you have any allergies to haloperidol or any of the ingredients in this medicine.
• Tell your doctor if you have allergies to other drugs, food, dyes, preservatives, or allergies to animals.
• Tell your doctor about any kind of prescription, nonprescription, vitamin, dietary supplements to herbal products that you have been, are currently taking, or are planning to use.
• Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding.
• Doctors can change doses or closely monitor side effects.
• Tell your doctor if you have Parkinson's disease. Your doctor may ask you not to use haloperidol.
• Tell your doctor if you have had breast cancer; bipolar disorder (a condition that causes episodes of depression, mania and other abnormal moods); citrullinemia (a condition that causes high ammonia in the blood); abnormal electroencephalogram (EEG; a test that records the electrical activity of the brain); seizures; irregular heartbeat; low levels of calcium or magnesium in the blood; chest pain; or heart or thyroid disease.
• Tell your doctor if you have ever stopped using a mental disorder medication because of serious side effects.
• If you are going to have surgery, such as dental surgery, tell your doctor or dentist that you are using haloperidol.
• Do not drive a car or engage in activities that require high concentration until the effects of the medication wear off, as this drug can cause drowsiness.

Is haloperidol safe for pregnant and lactating women?

There are no adequate studies regarding the risks of using this drug in pregnant or breastfeeding women. Always consult your doctor to weigh the potential benefits and risks before using this medication.

But using antipsychotic drugs during the third trimester can cause problems for the baby at birth. However, if you suddenly stop using the drug, you may also experience side effects. If you suddenly become pregnant while using this medicine, ask your doctor right away what you should do.

This drug is included in the risk of pregnancy category C according to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) or the equivalent of the Food and Drug Administration (BPOM) in Indonesia.

The following references the pregnancy risk categories according to the FDA:

• A = No risk,
• B = not at risk in several studies,
• C = May be risky,
• D = There is positive evidence of risk,
• X = Contraindicated,
• N = Unknown

Haloperidol Drug Interactions

What other medicines may interact with Haloperidol?

Drug interactions can change the performance of your medications or increase the risk of serious side effects. Not all possible drug interactions are listed in this article.

Keep a list of all the products you use (including prescription / non-prescription drugs and herbal products) and consult your doctor or pharmacist. Do not start, stop, or change the dose of any medication without your doctor's approval.

Some drugs that can interact with haloperidol are:

• amiodarone (Cordarone)
• anticoagulants (blood thinners)
• Antihistamines
• Azole antifungals (eg ketoconazole, itraconazole)
• antipsychotics (eg iloperidone, paliperidone, ziprasidone)
• arsenic
• astemizole
• bepridil
• chloroquine
• cisapride
• dolasetron
• disopyramide (Norpace)
• dofetilide (Tikosyn)
• dronedarone
• droperidol
• halofantrine,
• ketolides (eg telithromycin),
• kinase inhibitors (eg lapatinib, nilotinib),
• macrolides (eg erythromycin),
• maprotiline,
• methadone,
• phenothiazines (eg thioridazine),
• pimozide,
• quinolone antibiotics (eg levofloxacin, moxifloxacin),
• terbenadine,
• tetrabenazine
• epinephrine (Epipen)
• erythromycin (E.E.S., E-Mycin, Erythrocin)
• flecainide
• ipratropium (Atrovent)
• lithium (Eskalith, Lithobid)
• anxiety medication
• Depression
• intestinal disorders medication
• mental disorders
• Drunk
• Parkinson's disease
• Seizures
• Ulcers
• BAK problem
• Methyldopa
• moxifloxacin (Avelox)
• narcotic painkillers
• pimozide (Orap)
• Procainamide
• propafenone
• Quinidine
• rifampin (Rifater, Rifadin)
• Sedative
• sotalol (Betapace, Betapace AF)
• sparfloxacin (Zagam)
• sleeping pills
• Thioridazine
• Sedative
• tramadol
• anticholinergics (eg benztropine or carbamazepine)

Can food or alcohol interact with haloperidol?

Certain drugs should not be used with meals or when eating certain foods because drug interactions can occur. Consuming alcohol or tobacco with certain drugs can also cause interactions to occur. Discuss your use of drugs with food, alcohol, or tobacco with your health care provider.

What health conditions can interact with haloperidol?

The presence of other health problems in your body may affect the use of this drug. Tell your doctor if you have other health problems so that they can help arrange a dose for you. Health conditions that can interact with haloperidol are:

• history of breast cancer
• chest pain
• severe heart or blood vessel disease
• hyperprolactinemia (high prolactin in the blood)
• hypotension (low blood pressure)
• mania
• history of seizures or epilepsy. Use with caution as it can worsen the condition
• severe central nervous system depression
• coma
• dementia in the elderly
• Parkinson's disease.
• history of heart rhythm problems
• Hypokalemia, or a condition in which the blood sugar is too low
• hypomagnesemia (low magnesium in the blood)
• hypoithyroid (underactive thyroid)
• hyperthyroidism (thyroid overactive. May increase the risk of more serious side effects.

Haloperidol overdose

What should I do in an emergency or overdose?

In case of an emergency or overdose, contact the local emergency services provider (112) or immediately to the nearest hospital emergency department.

Symptoms of an overdose include:

• movement of the limbs is unusual, slow or uncontrolled
• stiff or weak muscles
• slow breath
• sleepy
• loss of consciousness

What should I do if I miss a dose?

If you forget a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. However, when it is nearing the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and return to the usual dosing schedule. Don't double the dose.

Hello Health Group does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.