HALOPERIDOL

Brand & Generic Names

Apo-Haloperidol	Halperon
Haldol	Novo-Peridol
Haldol Decanoate	Peridol
Haldol LA	PMS-Haloperidol

Basic Information

• Habit forming? No
• Prescription needed? Yes
• Available as generic? Yes
• Drug class: Tranquilizer (antipsychotic)

Uses

• Reduces severe anxiety, agitation and psychotic behavior.
• Treatment for Tourette's syndrome.
• Treatment for infantile autism.
• Treatment for Huntington's chorea.

Dosage & Usage Information

How to take:
Tablet--Swallow with liquid. If you can't swallow whole, crumble tablet and take with liquid or food.
Drops--Dilute dose in beverage before swallowing.

When to take:
At the same times each day.

If you forget a dose:
Take as soon as you remember up to 2 hours late. If more than 2 hours, wait for next scheduled dose (don't double this dose).

What drug does:
Corrects an imbalance in nerve impulses from brain.

Time lapse before drug works:
3 weeks to 2 months for maximum benefit.

Don't take with:
Non-prescription drugs without consulting doctor.
Any other medicine without consulting your doctor or pharmacist.

Overdose

SYMPTOMS:
Weak, rapid pulse; shallow, slow breathing; tremor or muscle weakness; very low blood pressure; convulsions; deep sleep ending in coma.

WHAT TO DO:

• Dial 911 (emergency) or O (operator) for an ambulance or medical help. Then give first aid immediately.
• If patient is unconscious and not breathing, give mouth-to- mouth breathing. If there is no heartbeat, use cardiac massage and mouth-to-mouth breathing (CPR). Don't try to make patient vomit. If you can't get help quickly, take patient to nearest emergency facility.
• See EMERGENCY Information.

Possible Adverse Reactions or Side Effects

Life-threatening:

Uncontrolled muscle Discontinue. Seek movements of tongue, emergency treatment. face and other muscles (neuroleptic malignant syndrome, rare).

Common:

• Blurred vision, loss of balance, muscle spasms, severe restlessness.
• Shuffling, stiffness, jerkiness, shakiness, constipation, weight gain.
• Dry mouth.

Infrequent:

• Rash, circling motions of tongue, hallucinations, lip smacking.
• Dizziness, faintness, drowsiness, difficult urination, decreased sexual ability, nausea or vomiting.

Rare:

Sore throat; fever; jaundice; abdominal pain; dry, warm skin.

Warnings & Precautions

Don't take if:

• You have ever been allergic to haloperidol.
• You are depressed.
• You have Parkinson's disease.
• Patient is younger than 3 years old.

Before you start, consult your doctor:

• If you take sedatives, sleeping pills, tranquilizers, antidepressants, antihistamines, narcotics or mind-altering drugs.
• If you have a history of mental depression.
• If you have had kidney or liver problems.
• If you have diabetes, epilepsy, glaucoma, high blood pressure or heart disease, prostate trouble.
• If you drink alcoholic beverages frequently.

Over age 60:
Adverse reactions and side effects may be more frequent and severe than in younger persons.

Pregnancy:
Risk to unborn child outweighs drug benefits. Don't use.

Breast-feeding:
Drug passes into milk. Avoid drug or discontinue nursing until you finish medicine. Consult doctor about maintaining milk supply.

Infants & children:
Not recommended.

Prolonged use:

• May develop tardive dyskinesia (involuntary movements of jaws, lips and tongue).
• Talk to your doctor about the need for follow-up medical examinations or laboratory studies to check blood pressure, liver function.

Skin & sunlight:
May cause rash or intensify sunburn in areas exposed to sun or sunlamp.

Driving, piloting or hazardous work:
Don't drive or pilot aircraft until you learn how medicine affects you. Don't work around dangerous machinery. Don't climb ladders or work in high places. Danger increases if you drink alcohol or take medicine affecting alertness and reflexes.

Discontinuing:
Don't discontinue without consulting doctor. Dose may require gradual reduction if you have taken drug for a long time. Doses of other drugs may also require adjustment.

Others:
No problems expected.

Possible Interaction with Other Drugs

GENERIC NAME	COMBINED EFFECT
------------------------	-----------------------
Anticholinergics*	Increased anticholinergic effect.
	May cause pressure within the eye.
Anticonvulsants*	Changed seizure pattern.
Antidepressants*	Excessive sedation.
Antihistamines*	Excessive sedation.
Antihypertensives*	May cause severe blood pressure
	drop.
Barbiturates*	Excessive sedation.
Bupropion	Increased risk of major seizures.
Central nervous system	Increased CNS depression; increased
(CNS) depressants*	blood pressure drop.
Clozapine	Toxic effect on the
	central nervous system.
Dronabinol	Increased effects of both drugs.
	Avoid.
Ethinamate	Dangerous increased effects of
	ethinamate. Avoid combining.
Fluoxetine	Increased depressant effects of
	both drugs.
Guanethidine	Decreased guanethidine effect.
Guanfacine	May increase depressant effects of
	either drug.
Loxapine	May increase toxic effects of both
	drugs.
Leucovorin	High alcohol content of leucovorin
	may cause adverse effects.
Levodopa	Decreased levodopa effect.
Lithium	Increased toxicity.
Methyldopa	Possible psychosis.
Methyprylon	Increased sedative effect, perhaps
	to dangerous level. Avoid.
Nabilone	Greater depression of central
	nervous system.
Narcotics*	Excessive sedation.
Pergolide	Decreased pergolide effect.
Phenindione	Decreased anticoagulant effect.
Procarbazine	Increased sedation.
Sedatives*	Excessive sedation.
Sertraline	Increased depressive effects of
	both drugs.
Tranquilizers*	Excessive sedation.

Possible Interaction with Other Substances

INTERACTS WITH	COMBINED EFFECT
---------------	---------------
Alcohol:	Excessive sedation and depressed
	brain function. Avoid.
Beverages:	None expected.
Cocaine:	Decreased effect of haloperidol.
	Avoid.
Foods:	None expected.
Marijuana:	Occasional use--Increased sedation.
	Frequent use--Possible toxic
	psychosis.
Tobacco:	None expected.