General Information
Uses
What should I know before taking this drug
Precautions
Dosage information
Adverse reactions
Storage
Additional information if any
Brain-rest tab (Ind-Swift)
Cizoren tab (Stadmed)
Haloperidol is a prescription drug available from your pharmacy store only with the prescription of a qualified medical practitioner.
Haloperidol is pronounced as: HAL-oh-PER-i-dol
Haloperidol is an anti psychotic medication.
Haloperidol is used in the treatment of following condition
- Severe tics in Tourette’s syndrome
- Severe anxiety & behavioural disturbances
- Take haloperidol exactly as prescribed by your doctor. If do not understand these instructions ask your pharmacist, nurse or doctor to explain them to you.
- Take oral dose of haloperidol preferably with meals to avoid stomach upset.
- Take haloperidol at regular intervals as advised by your doctor for it to be effective.
- Haloperidol may take up to 2-3 wks to show its beneficial effects. However continue to take it as advised.
- Do not take the medication in larger amounts or for longer duration than recommended by your doctor as it may lead to drug- dependence.
- Do not skip doses or stop taking Haloperidol without consulting your doctor.
- Always remember to inform your health expert if you are currently taking any OTC or prescription drugs like,
- Lithium (mood stabilizer)
- Oral anticoagulant like warfarin
- Anti histamine like terfenadine, Astemizole
- Anti convulsants like phenytoin. Phenobarbitone, carbamazepine
- Anti psychotics like Clozapine, chlorpromazine
- Antibiotics like erythromycin, Rifampicin
- Anti hypertensive’s or other heart medication
- Inform your doctor if you have following medical diseases , as Haloperidol should be used cautiously in these conditions
- Parkinson’s disease & dementia
- Angle closure glaucoma
- Seizure disorder
- Benign hypertrophy of Prostate
- Hyperthyroidism
- Electrolyte disturbances
- Family history of long QT interval
Do not use haloperidol if you are suffering from dementia.
Children: Caution is advised for usage in children.
Old people:
Pregnant woman: Haloperidol belongs to FDA pregnancy category C. This means that haloperidol may harm an unborn baby if used during pregnancy but potential benefit may warrant use of the drug in pregnant woman despite potential risks. Always inform your doctor if you are pregnant or are planning for conception.
Lactating women: It is not known whether haloperidol passes into breast milk or if it could harm the baby. Do not take haloperidol with out first talking to doctor if you are breast feeding a baby.
Other:
Haloperidol is available as injection, suspension and tablet. Your doctor will prescribe it depending on the condition.
Use as directed by your physician, your physician prescribes depending on the severity of disease. Use the complete course of medication as prescribed by your physician even though you feel better after one or two days of usage of medication.
If it is almost the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and resume your usual dosing schedule. Do not take two doses at same time to cover up the missed dose.
In case of overdose contact your nearest poison control centre or emergency medical centre for immediate care by physician.
The overdose symptoms of Haloperidol include
Haloperidol may cause following side effects
- Giddiness when changing posture
Consult your doctor immediately if notice following symptoms.
- Allergic reaction like swollen lips, hives, difficulty in breathing, rashes. Peeling of skin etc
- Uncontrolled movements of the hands, legs, tongue, face
- Prolonged painful erection
- Suicidal thoughts, depression
- Fast, irregular heart beat, fainting
Store haloperidol at room temp (15 – 30 degrees C). Avoid excessive heat, moisture or direct sunlight, never store in the bathroom.
Keep it out of reach of children. Make sure that any leftover portion is disposed off safely.
- Haloperidol may cause dizziness when getting up from sitting or lying down position due to postural hypotension. Use precaution while changing posture to avoid falling down.
- Avoid getting dehydrated or extreme heat as Haloperidol may increase the risk of having heat stroke. Take plenty of oral fluids in hot weather and during exercise
- Haloperidol causes giddiness, drowsiness and visual disturbances as side effects. Therefore when affected do not drive, operate heavy machinery or perform unsafe tasks.
- Haloperidol may rarely cause a group of symptoms called as Neuroleptic Malignant syndrome characterised by difficulty in swallowing, Muscle stiffness, rapid heart rate, visual disturbances, etc, stop the drug immediately and consult your doctor.
- Avoid alcohol as it may increase side effects due to Haloperidol.
- Haloperidol should be used cautiously in elderly patients as they more prone for side effects like muscle stiffness, involuntary movements etc
- Inform your doctor and dentist regarding Haloperidol medication prior to any planned procedure.
- Regular monitoring of your liver function test, blood cell counts and eye examination is required when on this medication to look for possible side effects.
It is imp to read manufacturing packaging instruction carefully if available and always do not hesitate to consult pharmacist or physician for any information.
Written by: Healthplus24 team
Date last updated: November 29,2011