Haldol Medication - Uses & Side Effects

Generic Name: Haloperidol

Haloperidol is an antipsychotic medication and it works by changing the actions of chemicals in your brain. HALOPERIDOL (Haldol®) helps to treat schizophrenia. Haloperidol can help you to keep in touch with reality and also reduce your mental problems. Haloperidol can help to control tics and vocal outbursts in patients with Tourette's syndrome and treat behavioral problems in children with severe conduct disorders (hyperactivity, mood swings, aggressive behavior, or difficulty maintaining attention).

Haldol Dosage

• For Moderate Symptoms, the usual dosage is 1 to 6 milligrams daily. This amount should be divided into 2 or 3 smaller doses.
• For Severe Symptoms, the usual dosage is 6 to 15 milligrams daily, divided into 2 or 3 smaller doses.

Uses of Haldol

• Haloperidol (ha-loe-PER-i-dole) is used to treat nervous, mental, and emotional conditions.
• It is also used to control the symptoms of Tourette's disorder.

Side Effects of Haldol

If you are taking this medication, then discuss the side effects with your doctor. If you feel any change in intensity, then you should tell your doctor. Because only your doctor can determine if it is safe to continue using Haldol. Side effects may include:

• Abnormal secretion of milk
• acne-like skin reactions
• breast pain
• breast development in males
• cataracts
• catatonic (unresponsive) state
• chewing movements
• confusion
• constipation
• depression
• diarrhea
• dizziness
• drowsiness
• dry mouth

Warnings and precautions before taking Haldol:

• You should use Haldol cautiously if you have ever had breast cancer, a severe heart or circulatory disorder, chest pain, the eye condition known as glaucoma, seizures, or any drug allergies.
• If you are taking this drug, then it may impair your ability to drive a car or operate potentially dangerous machinery. So do not participate in any activities that require full alertness.
• Haldol may make your skin more sensitive to sunlight. So if you want to spend time in the sun, then you should use a sunscreen or wear protective clothing.

Drug Interaction :-

If you are taking certain drugs with Haldol, then it may decreased, increased or altered the effects of Haldol medicine. It is especially important to check with your doctor before combining Haldol with the following:

• Antiseizure drugs such as Dilantin or Tegretol
  
• Antispasmodic drugs such as Bentyl and Cogentin
  
• Blood-thinning medications such as Coumadin
  
• Certain antidepressants, including Elavil, Tofranil, and Prozac
  
• Epinephrine (EpiPen)
  
• Lithium (Eskalith, Lithobid)
  
• Methyldopa (Aldomet)
  
• Propranolol (Inderal)
  
• Rifampin (Rifadin)
  

Overdose

When you are taking Haldol, and you feel that overdose is suspected then contact your doctor immediately. Symptoms of an Haldol overdose may include:-

• Catatonic (unresponsive) state
• coma
• decreased breathing
• low blood pressure
• rigid muscles
• sedation
• tremor
• weakness