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Haloperidol

  • You may have to take haloperidol for several weeks before you feel the full effect.
  • Important: If you experience 'flu-like' symptoms including stiffness, high temperature, abnormal paleness or racing heartbeat contact your doctor or go to the accident and emergency department of your local hospital immediately.
  • Do not stop taking haloperidol without first speaking with your doctor. Your doctor will probably want to reduce the dose you are taking gradually, as stopping treatment suddenly can cause problems.
  • Before having any surgery, including dental or emergency treatment, tell the doctor, dentist or surgeon that you are taking haloperidol.

About haloperidol

Type of medicine Antipsychotic
Used for Some forms of mental illness, with symptoms such as hearing, seeing or sensing things that are not there, or mistaken beliefs and paranoia
Behavioural disorders including aggression, hyperactivity, dangerous or impulsive behaviour
Motor tics (body moves or twitches without control of patient)
Gilles de la Tourette syndrome (condition in which the patient may experience tics and an uncontrollable urge to utter obscene words or other noises)
Persistent hiccups
Short-term treatment of anxiety
Feeling or being sick
Also called Dozic, Haldol, Serenace
Available as Tablets
Capsules
Oral liquid
Injection

Mental illness, particularly schizophrenia, is thought to be caused by over-activity of certain areas of the brain. Haloperidol works by blocking receptors in the brain to alter the activity in these areas.
In mental and behavioural disorders, haloperidol helps to improve disturbed thoughts and behaviour and produces a calming effect in patients with aggression and agitation. It also acts on receptors in the brain that control nausea and vomiting and is therefore sometimes used to provide relief from these symptoms.

Before taking haloperidol

Before taking haloperidol make sure your doctor or pharmacist knows:

  • If you suffer from any heart problems.
  • If you suffer from liver or kidney or breathing problems.
  • If you suffer from Parkinson's disease, epilepsy, depression or myasthenia gravis (a muscle weakening disease).
  • If you suffer from prostate problems.
  • If you or any of your family have suffered from glaucoma.
  • If you suffer from a condition called phaeochromocytoma (a growth affecting the adrenal glands).
  • If you have ever suffered from jaundice (yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes), brain haemorrhage or stroke.
  • If you have a known lack of calcium, potassium or magnesium in your blood.
  • If you suffer from postural hypotension (dizziness when getting up from a sitting or lying position).
  • If you suffer from thyroid problems.
  • If you are pregnant, trying for a baby or breast-feeding.

How to take haloperidol

  • Take haloperidol exactly as directed by your doctor.
  • Try to take haloperidol at the same times each day to avoid missing any doses.
  • You may have to take haloperidol for several weeks before you feel the full effect.
  • Do not stop taking haloperidol without first speaking with your doctor. Your doctor will probably want to reduce the dose you are taking gradually, as stopping treatment suddenly can cause problems.

Getting the most from your treatment

  • Keep your regular appointments with your doctor so your progress can be checked.
  • Before having any surgery, including dental or emergency treatment, tell the doctor, dentist or surgeon that you are taking haloperidol.

Can haloperidol cause problems

Along with their useful effects all medicines can cause unwanted side effects, which usually improve as your body adjusts to the new medicine. Speak with your doctor or pharmacist if any of the following side effects continue or become troublesome.

Side-effects What can I do if I experience this
Drowsiness, dizziness, blurred vision Make sure your reactions are normal before driving, operating machinery or doing any other jobs which could be dangerous if you were not fully alert. Do not drink alcohol while you are being treated with haloperidol as it will increase drowsiness.
Diarrhoea Drink plenty of water to replace lost fluids. Avoid dairy products. If these symptoms continue speak to your doctor or pharmacist.
Constipation Drink plenty of water and eat plenty of fruit and vegetables.
Dry mouth Chew sugar-free gum or suck sugar-free sweets or pieces of ice. If your mouth becomes too dry, discuss the problem with your doctor or pharmacist.

Important: If you experience 'flu-like' symptoms including stiffness, high temperature, abnormal paleness or racing heartbeat contact your doctor or go to the accident and emergency department of your local hospital immediately.
Other side-effects include headache, trouble sleeping, restlessness, agitation, confusion, abnormal face or body movements, shakiness, mood changes, tummy ache, feeling sick, stuffy nose, problems passing urine, fast or thumping heartbeat, menstrual changes, breast problems, sexual problems, weight loss or gain, skin rashes, jaundice (yellowing of skin and whites of eyes) or a purple tint to the skin and eyes. If you experience these or any other worrying symptoms, which you think may be due to this medicine, discuss them with your doctor or pharmacist.

How to store haloperidol

  • Keep all medicines out of the sight and reach of children.
  • Store in a cool, dry place, away from direct heat and light.

Important information about all medicines


  • Keep all medicines out of the sight and reach of children.
  • Make sure that the person prescribing this medicine knows about any other medicines that you are taking. This includes medicines you buy and herbal and homeopathic medicines.
  • If you buy any medicines check with a pharmacist that they are safe to take with your other medicines.
  • Before taking this medicine tell your doctor if you have ever had an allergic reaction after taking any medicine.
  • Never take more than the prescribed dose. If you suspect that you or someone else has taken an overdose of this medicine go to the accident and emergency department of your local hospital at once. Always take the container with you, if possible, even if it is empty.
  • If you are having any treatment like an operation or dental treatment tell the person carrying out the treatment which medicines you are taking.
  • Always read the printed information leaflet that comes with your medicine.
  • This medicine is for you. Never give it to other people even if their condition appears to be the same as yours.
  • Never keep out of date or unwanted medicines. Take them to your local pharmacy which will dispose of them for you.
  • If you have any questions about this medicine ask your pharmacist.
© EMIS 2006 DocID:
614		 DocRef:
dils2961		 Last Updated:
25 Oct 2006		 Date of Next Review:
24 Oct 2008		 Version:
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See also MAKEPOVERTYHISTORY North East for details and links to campaigns against poverty.

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