Haloperidol (By injection)
hal-oh-PER-i-dol
Treats schizophrenia and symptoms of Tourette syndrome.
Drug classes
Antipsychotic (About this – PubMed Health)
Uses
Uses of This Medicine
Haloperidol injection is used to treat nervous, emotional, and mental conditions (e.g., schizophrenia). It is also used to control the symptoms of Tourette’s disorder. This medicine should not be used to treat behavior problems in older adult patients who have dementia.
This medicine is available only with your doctor’s prescription.
Other uses (PubMed Health)
How To Use
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 health provider 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.
Some medicines and foods can affect how haloperidol works. Tell your doctor if you also take medicine for seizures (including carbamazepine), medicine for heart rhythm problems, or a blood thinner (such as warfarin).
Tell your doctor if you also take lithium, ketoconazole, itraconazole, carbidopa/levodopa, rifampin, quinidine, nefazodone, buspirone, paroxetine, venlafaxine, fluvoxamine, fluoxetine, sertraline, alprazolam, chlorpromazine, or promethazine.
Tell your doctor if you use anything else that makes you sleepy. Some examples are allergy medicine, narcotic pain medicine, and alcohol.
Do not drink alcohol while you are using this medicine.
When Not To Use
This medicine is not right for everyone. You should not receive this medicine if you had an allergic reaction to haloperidol, or if you have Parkinson disease.
Warnings
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you have thyroid problems, heart disease, heart rhythm problems (including long QT syndrome), allergies, or a history of breast cancer or seizures.
This medicine may cause the following problems:
Heart rhythm changes Tardive dyskinesia (a muscle disorder that could become permanent) Neuroleptic malignant syndrome (a nerve disorder that could be life-threatening) Bronchitis or pneumonia Extrapyramidal reaction (a muscle and nerve disorder)This medicine may make you bleed, bruise, or get infections more easily. Take precautions to prevent illness and injury. Wash your hands often. Tell your doctor if you have bone marrow problems or if you have ever had a blood disorder, such as low blood cell counts.
This medicine may make you dizzy or drowsy. Do not drive or do anything else that could be dangerous until you know how this medicine affects you.
Your doctor will do lab tests at regular visits to check on the effects of this medicine. Keep all appointments.
Possible side effects
Summary More details
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
Fast, slow, or uneven heartbeat
Fever, cough, trouble breathing
Fever, sweating, confusion, uneven heartbeat, muscle stiffness
Jerky muscle movement you cannot control (often in your face, tongue, or jaw)
Lightheadedness, dizziness, or fainting
Muscle spasms, trouble swallowing
Twitching or muscle movements you cannot control, problems with balance or walking
Unusual bleeding, bruising, or weakness
If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:
Breast pain or swelling
Pain, swelling, or redness where the shot was given
If you notice other side effects that you think are caused by this medicine, tell your doctor.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
More side effects of this drug
Brand names include
Haldol, Haldol Decanoate, Novaplus Haloperidol Decanoate
There may be other brand names for this medicine.