Medications and Drugs

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GENERIC NAME: haloperidol

BRAND NAME: Haldol

DRUG CLASS AND MECHANISM: Haloperidol is an antipsychotic medication. It also is used to control tics and vocal utterances that are part of Tourette's syndrome. Haloperidol interferes with the effects of neurotransmitters in the brain which are the chemical messengers that nerves manufacture and release to communicate with one another. It blocks receptors for the neurotransmitters (specifically the dopamine and serotonin type 2 receptors) on the nerves. As a result, the nerves are not "activated" by the neurotransmitters released by other nerves. Haloperidol was approved by the FDA in 1967.

GENERIC AVAILABLE: yes

PRESCRIPTION: yes

PREPARATIONS: Tablets: 0.5mg, 1mg, 2mg, 5mg, 10mg

STORAGE: Tablets should be stored at room temperature, 15-30 °C (59-86 °F).

PRESCRIBED FOR: Haloperidol is used for treating psychotic disorders and for tics and vocal utterances of Tourette's syndrome.

DOSING: Haloperidol has a wide range of doses. Patients should take it as directed by their physician.

DRUG INTERACTIONS: Haloperidol causes sedation, and sedation may be greater if haloperidol is taken with alcohol and other drugs than can cause sedation such as the benzodiazepine class of anti-anxiety drugs (e.g., Valium, Ativan, Klonopin, Xanax), the narcotic class of pain medications and its derivatives (e.g., Percocet, Vicodin, Dilaudid, Codeine, Darvon), the tricyclic class of antidepressants (e.g., Elavil, Tofranil, Norpramin), some antihistamines (Atarax, Vistaril, Benadryl, Tavist) and certain antihypertensive medications (e.g., Catapres, Inderal). Carbamazepine (Tegretol) may increase the elimination of haloperidol, rendering the carbamazepine less effective. Rifampin (Rifadin) may decrease the elimination of haloperidol, increasing the risk of side effects from haloperidol.

PREGNANCY: It is not known if haloperidol crosses the placenta and enters the fetus. In prescribing haloperidol to pregnant women, physicians must consider the potential benefit of haloperidol for the patient against the theoretical risk to the infant.

NURSING MOTHERS: Haloperidol is secreted into breast milk. It's safety in children and infants has not been established.

SIDE EFFECTS: The most common side effects associated with haloperidol are extrapyramidal effects (sudden, often jerky, involuntary motions of the head, neck, arms, body, or eyes), dizziness, hyperactivity, tiredness, and nausea. Haloperidol may cause a condition called "orthostatic hypotension" during the early phase of treatment (first week or two). Orthostatic hypotension causes patients to become dizzy upon arising from a lying or sitting position because of a fall in blood pressure.

Reference: FDA Prescribing Information