What is haloperidol?
Haloperidol is an antipsychotic medication. It works by changing the actions of chemicals in your brain.
Haloperidol is used to treat schizophrenia. It is also used to control motor and speech tics in people with Tourette's syndrome.
Haloperidol may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.
What is the most important information I should know about haloperidol?
Haloperidol is not for use in psychotic conditions related to dementia. Haloperidol may cause heart failure, sudden death, or pneumonia in older adults with dementia-related conditions.
You should not use this medication if you are allergic to haloperidol, or have certain conditions. Be sure your doctor knows if you have Parkinson's disease.
Before taking haloperidol, tell your doctor if you have liver disease, kidney disease, heart disease, angina (chest pain), a thyroid disorder, epilepsy or other seizure disorder, a personal or family history of "Long QT syndrome," or an electrolyte imbalance such as low potassium or magnesium levels in your blood.
Haloperidol may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be alert.
Avoid getting up too fast from a sitting or lying position, or you may feel dizzy. Get up slowly and steady yourself to prevent a fall.
Drinking alcohol can increase certain side effects of haloperidol.
Call your doctor at once if you have tremor (uncontrolled shaking) or restless muscle movements in your eyes, tongue, jaw, or neck.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking haloperidol?
Haloperidol is not for use in psychotic conditions related to dementia. Haloperidol may cause heart failure, sudden death, or pneumonia in older adults with dementia-related conditions.
You should not use this medication if you are allergic to haloperidol, or have certain conditions. Be sure your doctor knows if you have Parkinson's disease.
To make sure you can safely take haloperidol, tell your doctor if you have any of these other conditions:
liver disease;
kidney disease;
heart disease, angina (chest pain);
a thyroid disorder;
epilepsy or other seizure disorder;
a personal or family history of "Long QT syndrome"; or
an electrolyte imbalance such as low potassium or magnesium levels in your blood.
FDA pregnancy category C. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant while using this medication.
Taking antipsychotic medication during the last 3 months of pregnancy may cause problems in the newborn, such as withdrawal symptoms, breathing problems, feeding problems, fussiness, tremors, and limp or stiff muscles. However, you may have withdrawal symptoms or other problems if you stop taking your medicine during pregnancy. If you become pregnant while taking haloperidol, do not stop taking it without your doctor's advice.
Haloperidol can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.