Haloperidol (Injection)

Introduction:

Haloperidol (hal-oh-PER-i-dol)

Treats mental illness (such as schizophrenia), behavior problems, agitation, and symptoms of Tourette's syndrome.

Brand Name(s):

Haldol

When This Medicine Should Not Be Used:

How to Use This Medicine:

Injectable

• Your doctor will prescribe your exact dose and tell you how often it should be given. This medicine is given as a shot into one of your muscles.
• A nurse or other trained health professional will give you this medicine.

Drugs and Foods to Avoid:

Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.

• Make sure your doctor knows if you are also using lithium (Eskalith®, Lithane®, Lithobid®), rifampin (Rimactane®, Rifadin®), a blood thinner (such as phenindione), or medicine for Parkinson's disease (such as carbidopa, levodopa, Sinemet®).
• Tell your doctor if you are using any medicines that make you sleepy. These include sleeping pills, cold and allergy medicine, narcotic pain relievers, and sedatives.
• Do not drink alcohol while you are using this medicine.

Warnings While Using This Medicine:

• Make sure your doctor knows if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you have liver disease, kidney disease, lung disease, glaucoma, an overactive thyroid, or a history of seizures or neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS). Your doctor needs to know if you have any kind of heart or blood vessel problems, including blood pressure problems, heart rhythm problems, or mineral imbalance.
• Older adults may be more sensitive to the side effects of this medicine, including heart failure or pneumonia. This medicine is not used to treat behavioral problems in older adults with dementia.
• Tardive dyskinesia (a movement disorder) may occur and may not go away after you stop using the medicine. Check with your doctor right away if you or your child have any of the following symptoms while taking this medicine: lip smacking or puckering, puffing of the cheeks, rapid or worm-like movements of the tongue, uncontrolled chewing movements, or uncontrolled movements of the arms and legs.
• This medicine may make you more sensitive to sunlight and heat. Avoid sunlamps, hot tubs, tanning beds, and saunas. Take care not to get overheated during exercise or outdoor activity. Use a sunscreen when outdoors.
• This medicine may make you dizzy or drowsy. Avoid driving, using machines, or doing anything else that could be dangerous if you are not alert. You may also feel lightheaded when getting up suddenly from a lying or sitting position, so stand up slowly.
• Do not stop using this medicine suddenly without asking your doctor. You may need to slowly decrease your dose before stopping it completely.
• Your doctor will need to check your progress at regular visits while you are using this medicine. Be sure to keep all appointments.

Possible Side Effects While Using This Medicine:

Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:

• Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing.
• Change in how much or how often you urinate.
• Chills, cough, sore throat, and body aches.
• Fast, slow, or irregular heartbeat.
• Feeling very thirsty or hungry.
• Fever, sweating, confusion, uneven heartbeat, or muscle stiffness.
• Jerky muscle movement you cannot control (often in your face, tongue, or jaw).
• Lightheadedness or fainting.
• Painful, prolonged erection of your penis.
• Problems with vision, speech, or walking.
• Seeing or hearing things which are not there.
• Seizures or tremors.
• Trouble breathing or swallowing.
• Twitching or muscle movements you cannot control.
• Unexplained fever or muscle stiffness.
• Unusual facial expressions.
• Unusual bleeding, bruising, or weakness.
• Yellowing of your skin or the whites of your eyes.

If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:

• Breast pain or swelling.
• Drowsiness, depression, or headache.
• Dry mouth.
• Hair loss.
• Irregular menstrual periods.
• Loss of appetite.
• Nausea, vomiting, constipation, or stomach upset.
• Skin rash.
• Trouble having sex.
• Trouble sleeping, restlessness.

If you notice other side effects that you think are caused by this medicine, tell your doctor: