Haloperidol: Side Effects

What is Haloperidol?

Haloperidol is an antipsychotic first developed in 1957. Haloperidol is a neuroleptic and a butyrophenone used to control the symptoms resulting from acute psychosis, acute manic phases, schizophrenia, delirium, hyperactivity, and aggression. Haloperidol is also used in the treatment of some neurological disorders such as Tourette syndrome. In the treatment of schizophrenia, weeks or even months of treatment may be needed before a significant improvement is noted. Haloperidol is used very effectively to treat delusions and hallucinations.

How To Use Haloperidol

Haloperidol is available in oral and injection forms. Orally, Haloperidol is taken by tablet or in solution form, and ingested by mouth. Usually, a starting dose of 500 micrograms to 5 milligrams taken two or three times a day is prescribed for oral ingestion. You should take Haloperidol only as prescribed by your physician.

What Are The Possible Side Effects of Using Haloperidol?

There is no threat of psychological dependence on Haloperidol, but there are some side effects associated with this drug. In long-term treatment, or in patients who are receiving very high doses of Haloperidol, the following side effects have been reported:

  • Dry mouth
  • Lethargy
  • Restlessness
  • Tremors
  • Muscle stiffness
  • Muscle pain
  • Weight gain
  • Depression with suicidal tendencies

Haloperidol has a sedative reaction to most patients, so many may feel listless or tired immediately following a dosage. Very rarely seen side effects include:

  • Hypotension
  • Constipation
  • Dry mouth

 However, there are some potential side effects of Haloperidol that can be life-threatening or dangerous. You should stop taking Haloperidol and seek medical attention immediately if you experience one or more of the following symptoms:

  • Fast heartbeat or irregular pulse
  • Seizures
  • Difficult in breathing
  • High fever
  • Abnormally high or low blood pressure
  • Sudden loss of bladder control
  • Profuse sweating
  • Severe muscle stiffness
  • Unusually pale skin

If you experience any of the following side effects, you should consult with your physician immediately:

  • Inability to move eyes
  • Mask-like face
  • Difficulty speaking or swallowing
  • Loss of balance, severe vertigo
  • Severe restlessness
  • Muscle spasms
  • Trembling of hands and fingers
  • Stiffness in extremities
  • Shuffling walk
  • Weakness in limbs
  • Difficulty in urination
  • Dizziness
  • Fainting
  • Decreased thirst
  • Hallucinations
  • Puffing of cheeks
  • Rapid movements of tongue
  • Uncontrolled chewing movements
  • Skin rash
  • Uncontrolled movements of arms and legs

Some side effects associated with the drug are much less severe. However, you should check with your doctor if anything is troubling you or if you notice a symptom chronically appearing.

  • Blurred vision
  • Dryness of mouth
  • Swelling or pain in breasts (females)
  • Weight gain
  • Drowsiness
  • Lack of sexual drive
  • Nausea, vomiting

Warnings and Precautions before Taking Haloperidol

 Some patients taking Haloperidol have suffered from neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS), which is a neurological disorder. Those taking Haloperidol for a longer period of time have noticed increased feelings of depression and suicidal thoughts. Patients using Haloperidol for a long-term basis should receive depression counseling. In both males and females, Haloperidol has been known to increase the release of the hormone prolactin. This causes breasts to grow larger and secrete milk.

Haloperidol should not be taken by women who are pregnant or may become pregnant, and should not be prescribed to pregnant mothers. Be sure to give your doctor a full medical history and complete list of other medications you are taking before considering taking Haloperidol.

What Should You Do If You Miss a Dose of Haloperidol?

If you accidentally skip or miss a dose of Haloperidol, take that dosage as soon as you realize it has been skipped. However, skip the dose if your normal dosing schedule calls for another dose of Haloperidol. You do not want to double dose or over dose this medication.

How To Store Haloperidol

Haloperidol should be kept out of the reach of children and away from direct heat and light. Do not store this medication in the bathroom, and keep it from freezing.

Ethinyl Estradiol and Norelgestramin
Ethotoin
Etodolac
Etonogestrel and Ethinyl Estradiol Vaginal Ring
Etrafon
Eulexin
Evista
Ex Lax
Exelon
Ex Lax Stool Softener
Ezitimibe
Factive
Famciclovir
Famotidine
Famvir
Felbamate
Felbatol
Feldene
Felodipine
Femhrt
Fempatch
Fenofibrate
Fentanyl
Fevarin
Fexofenadine
Finacea
Finasteride
Finasteride for Prostate Problems
Finevin
Fioricet
Fiorinal
Fiorinal with Codeine
Flagyl
Flavoxate
Flecainide
Flexeril
Flomax
Flonase
Flovent
Floxin
Floxyfral
Flucanazole
Fluocinonide
Fluorometholone
Fluorouracil
Fluox
Fluoxetine
Flupentixol
Flurazepam
Flurbiprofen
Flusinolide
Flutamide
Fluvastatin
Fluvoxamine
FML
Focalin
Foradil
Formoterol
Fortovase
Fosamax
Fosfomycin
Fosinopril
Fosinopril Sodium
Frova
Frovatriptan Succinate
Furosemide
Hydrochlorothiazide
Gabapentin
Galantamine
Gantrisin
Garamycin Ophthalmic
Gatifloxacin
Gaviscon
Genora
Gentamicin
Genuine Bayer Asprin
Geodon
Glimepiride
Glipizide
Glipizide with Metformin
Glucophage
Glucotrol
Glucovance
Glyburide
Glyburide with Metformin
Glynase
Goserelin Acetate
Gris PEG
Grisactin
Griseofulvin
Guaifenesin with Codeine
Guanabenz Acetate
Guanfacine Hydrochloride
Gyne Lotrimin
Habitrol
Halcion
Haldol
Halfprin
Halobetasol
Haloperidol
Helidac Therapy
Hivid
Humalog
Humulin
Hydergine
Hydrocet
Hydrochlorothiazide
Hydrochlorothiazide and Triamterene
Hydrocodone and Acetaminophen
Hydrocodone and Chlorpheniramine
Hydrocodone and Ibuprofen
Hydrocortisone Skin Preparations
HydroDIURYL
Hydromorphone
Hydroxychloroquine
Hydroxyzine
Hyoscyamine
Hytone
Hytrin
Hyzaar

DRUGS

A-Hydrocort
Cymbalta
Cymbalta and Fibromyalgia
Hydrocortisone

Abacavir
Abarelix
Abciximab
Abidec
Abilify
Acamprosate_Calcium
Acarbose
Accolate
Accuneb
Accuritec
Acebutolol
Aceon
Acetaminophen
Acetazolamide
Acetohexamide
Acetylcysteine
Acitretin
Aclovate
Acyclovir
Adalimumab
Adapalene
Adapin
Adenosine
Albuterol
Aldesleukin
Alefacept
Alemtuzumab
Allopurinol
Amfebutamone
Amineptine
Amoxapine
Anafranil
Aripiprazole
Aropax
Asendin
Atomoxetine
Atretol
Bacamp
Bacid
Baclofen
Bendroflumethiazide
Benzonatate
Benzoyl_peroxide
Benztropine_Mesylate
Betamethasone
Bevacizumab
Bicalutamide
Bupropian
Camcolit
Carbatrol
Carmaz
Carmine
Celiprolol
Chlorpromazine
Cipralex
Cirpramil
Citalopram
Clomipramine
Clonex
Clozaril
Coaxil
Cylert
Deanxit
Depitol
Deroxat
Desipramine
Desoxyn
Desyrel
Dexedrine
Dextroamphetetamine
DextroStat
Dohme
Dosulepine
Dothiepin
Doxepin
Duloxetine
Dutonin
Echothiophate
Econazole
Ecotrin
Edex
Efavirenz
Effexor
Efudex
Elavin
Eldepryl
Eletriptan
Elidel
Elocon
Enalapril
Enalapril_and_felodipine
Enalapril_and_hydrochlorothiazide
Enbrel
Endocet
Entacapone
Entocort_EC
Epitol
Epival
Epivir
Eprosartan_Mesylate
Ergotamine_with_Caffeine
Eryc
Erythrocin
Erythromycin
Erythromycin_and_benzoyl_peroxide
Erythromycin_and_Sulfisoxazole
Erythromycin_Topical
Eryzole
Escitalopram
Esmolol
Esom
Estazolam
Esterifield
Estradiol
Estradiol_vaginal_ring
Estratest
Empirin
Eprosartan
Equanil
Ery Tab
Esclim
Esgic
Esidrix
Eskalith
Estraderm
Estradiol and Norethindrone Acetate
Estradiol Tablets
Estring
Estrogen Patches
Estrogen with Progestin
Estropipate
Estrostep
Etanercept


Become a regular visitor at our "Health Care Blog" - Here are the latest blog entries:

 

Home © health-care-information.org. All rights reserved.

Diseases | Drugs | Injuries | Medical Tests | Home Remedies | Herbal Medicines

Health Care BLOG || Your Feedback & Suggestions

 

Disclaimer: Health-Care-Information.org is designed for educational purposes only and is not engaged in rendering medical advice or professional medical services. Any medical or other decisions should be made in consultation with your qualified health care provider. We will not be liable for any complications, injuries or other medical accidents arising from or in connection with the use of or reliance upon any information on this web site.