Haloperidol Side Effects
Serious Adverse Side Effects
Haloperidol has some very serious adverse side effects associated with it, such as:
- Cardiovascular side effects like prolonged QT intervals (a rare inborn heart condition), sudden cardiac arrest or death, and Torsades de pointes (a form of irregular heartbeat)
- Gastrointestinal side effects like intestinal obstruction
- Hematological side effects like agranulocytosis, a condition where there is a dangerously low amount of white blood cells
- Neurological side effects like neuroleptic malignant syndrome (an adverse reaction to the medication), seizures, and twitching
- Reproductive side effects like prolonged and painful erections in men
Common Adverse Side Effects
More common and less severe adverse side effects with
Haloperidol include:
- Cardiovascular side effects like low blood pressure
- Gastrointestinal side effects like constipation and dry mouth
- Neurological side effects like akathisia (Restless leg syndrome), twitching, extrapyramidal disease (inability to initiate movement or to remain motionless) and drowsiness
- Ophthalmic side effects like blurred vision
Warnings & Recalls for Haloperidol
Black Box Warning
Haloperiodol has a “black box” warning associated with it that states that elderly patients suffering from dementia-related psychosis are at an increased risk of death with antipsychotics such as this drug.
Contraindications
Haloperidol has contraindications that hinder a patient’s ability to take it. They include:
- Comatose state from any causes
- Hypersensitivity to Haloperidol
- Parkinson’s disease
- Toxic central nervous system depression
Who Should Not Take This Drug
The following patients with these preexisting conditions should never consider taking
Haloperidol. These include:
- Elderly patients
- Patients with allergies or who are allergic to certain drugs
- Patients with cardiac problems
- Preexisting cardiovascular disorders
- Concurrent lithium use
- Concurrent use of anticoagulants and anticholinergics
- EEG abnormalities
- Patients with electrolyte imbalances
- Patients with hypothyroidism
- Increased duration of therapy
- Patients with a family history of prolonged QT syndrome
- Patients who suffer from seizures
- Patients with thyrotoxicosis
Pregnancy Warnings
- Haloperidol can cause fetal harm if taken during pregnancy, and will pass through breastmilk. Danger to nursing infants has not been documented.
Haloperidol Treatment and Use
Haloperidol is a drug that’s used in psychiatry largely whose classification is that of a dopamine antagonist of the typical antipsychotic class of medications. Haloperidol is known as an older antipsychotic used in the treatment of schizophrenia, delirium and acute psychotic states.
The official FDA-labeled indications for this drug include:
Haloperidol can be administered as either injections or as pills.
See the “Warnings and Recalls” tab to get more information on Haloperidol’s “black box” warning.
How This Drug Works
Haloperidol has a mechanism of action that’s not completely understood, however its known to produce a selective effect on the central nervous system by the competitive blockade of certain dopamine receptors and has a tranquilizing effect, thereby producing an antipsychotic effect.
Dosage Information
The safety and the efficacy of Haloperidol usage in children younger than the age of 3 has as of yet not been established.
- In children with Tourette’s syndrome ranging from ages 3 to 12 years, begin with the lowest possible dosage of 0.5mg per day ORALLY in 2 to 3 divided doses
- In children with Tourette’s syndrome over the age of 12 years, 0.5-2mg for moderate symptoms or 3-5mg for severe symptoms ORALLY 2 to 3 times per day
- In children with hyperactive behavior from ages 3 to 12 years, 0.05 per kilogram of weight ORALLY in 2 to 3 divided doses
- In children with hyperactive behavior over the age of 12 years, 0.5-2mg for moderate symptoms or 3-5mg for severe symptoms ORALLY 2 to 3 times per day
- In children with schizophrenia ranging from ages 3 to 12 years, 0.05mg per kilogram of weight ORALLY in 2 to 3 divided doses
- In children with schizophrenia over the age of 12 years, 0.5-2mg for moderate symptoms or 3-5mg for severe symptoms ORALLY 2 to 3 times per day
The following are the adult doses for Haloperidol:
- In adults with Tourette’s syndrome, 0.5-2mg for moderate symptoms or 3-5mg for severe symptoms ORALLY 2 to 3 times per day
- In adults with Schizophrenia, 0.5-2mg for moderate symptoms or 3-5mg for severe symptoms ORALLY 2 to 3 times per day
