Haloperidol decanoate (Injection)

Introduction:

Haloperidol Decanoate (hal-oh-PER-i-dol dek-a-NOE-ate)

Treats mental disorders such as schizophrenia.

Brand Name(s):

Haldol Decanoate

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®).
• Do not drink alcohol while you are using this medicine.
• 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.

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 drowsy or dizzy. 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.
• Blood in your urine.
• Chills, sore throat, and body aches.
• Decreased thirst.
• Fast or uneven heartbeat.
• Feeling very thirsty or hungry.
• Fever, sweating, confusion, or muscle stiffness.
• Lightheadedness or fainting.
• Problems with vision, speech, balance, or walking.
• Seeing or hearing things which are not there.
• Seizures (convulsions).
• Tremors or movements that you cannot control in the tongue, face, neck, jaw, or eyes
• Trouble breathing or swallowing.
• Unusual bleeding, bruising, or weakness.
• Unusual facial expressions.
• Yellowing of your skin or the whites of your eyes.

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

• Anxiety, drowsiness, or depression.
• Decrease in how much or how often you urinate.
• Dry mouth, cough, or headache.
• Hair loss.
• Loss of appetite.
• Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or stomach upset.
• Pain in the breast, irregular menstrual periods.
• Skin rash, sunburn, or pain at the injection site.
• Trouble having sex, or increased development of breasts (in men).
• Trouble sleeping, restlessness.

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