Haloperidol, Oral/Injection

What are other names for this medicine?

Type of medicine: antipsychotic

Generic and brand names: haloperidol, injection; haloperidol, oral; Haldol; Haldol Injection

What is this medicine used for?

This medicine is taken by mouth or given by injections (shots) to treat mental and nervous system disorders such as:

• dementia
• psychotic disorders such as schizophrenia
• Tourette's disorder
• severe behavior problems or hyperactivity in children.

This medicine may be used for other conditions as determined by your health care provider.

What should my health care provider know before I take this medicine?

Before taking this medicine, tell your health care provider if you have ever had:

• an allergic reaction to this medicine
• heart disease
• Parkinson's disease
• seizures (convulsions).

Females of childbearing age: This medicine is not usually given to pregnant women because it can harm the baby. If you are pregnant, tell your health care provider. Do not become pregnant during treatment with this medicine. Do not breast-feed while you are receiving this medicine.

How do I use it?

Take this medicine exactly as your health care provider prescribes. Do not take more or less or take it longer than prescribed. Do not stop taking this medicine without your health care provider's approval.

You may take this medicine with milk or food to lessen stomach upset.

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember unless it is almost time for the next scheduled dose. In that case, skip the missed dose and take the next one as directed. Do not take double doses. If you are not sure of what to do if you miss a dose, or if you miss more than one dose, contact your health care provider.

What should I watch out for?

This medicine increases the effects of alcohol and other drugs that slow down your nervous system. Do not drink alcohol or take other medicines unless your health care provider approves.

Using this medicine for a long time may cause muscle spasms, twitching in the face and body, and uncontrolled tongue or jaw movement. Talk to your health care provider about this.

This medicine may make you drowsy for several hours. Do not drive or operate machinery unless you are fully alert.

This medicine may reduce sweating. Use caution when you exercise, especially in hot weather.

Before you have any kind of surgery or emergency treatment, tell the health care provider you are taking this medicine.

This medicine may make your skin more sensitive to the sun, which may lead to painful sunburns. While you are taking this medicine, avoid long exposure to the sun. Wear protective clothing, a hat, and sunscreen lotion when you need to be outdoors. Do not use a sunlamp. If you get a severe sunburn, contact your health care provider right away.

What are the possible side effects?

Along with its needed effects, your medicine may cause some unwanted side effects. Some side effects may be very serious. Some side effects may go away as your body adjusts to the medicine. Tell your health care provider if you have any side effects that continue or get worse.

Serious (report these to your health care provider right away): Involuntary muscle movements, twitching, shaking, extremely stiff muscles, trouble breathing, loss of bladder control, weakness, irregular heartbeat, seizures.

Other: Constipation, blurred vision, dry mouth. In women, swollen breasts, secretion of milk, and changes in menstrual cycle.

What products might interact with this medicine?

When you take this medicine with other medicines, it can change the way this or any of the other medicines work. Nonprescription medicines, vitamins, natural remedies, and certain foods may also interact. Using these products together might cause harmful side effects. Talk to your health care provider if you are taking:

• alcohol
• blood pressure medicines such as prazosin (Minipress), doxazosin (Cardura), benazepril (Lotensin), captopril (Capoten), enalapril (Vasotec), fosinopril (Monopril), lisinopril (Prinivil, Zestril), quinapril (Accupril), and ramipril (Altace), diltiazem (Cardizem, Dilacor, Tiamate, Tiazac), nicardipine (Cardene), nifedipine (Procardia, Adalat), isradipine (DynaCirc), felodipine (Plendil), amlodipine (Norvasc), Verapamil (Calan, Isoptin, Verelan), atenolol (Tenormin), acebutolol (Sectral), betaxolol (Kerlone), carteolol (Cartrol), bisoprolol (Zebeta), pindolol (Visken), metoprolol (Lopressor, Toprol XL), timolol (Blocadren), sotalol (Betapace), nadolol (Corgard), propranolol (Inderal), labetalol (Normodyne, Trandate), and carvedilol (Coreg).
• epinephrine (Adrenalin)
• lithium (Lithobid, Lithonate, Lithane, Eskalith)
• medicines used to control seizures (epilepsy) such as phenytoin (Dilantin), primidone (Mysoline), valproic acid (Depakote, Depakene), and clonazepam (Klonopin)
• narcotics such as codeine, morphine, oxycodone (Oxy IR, OxyContin), hydromorphone (Dilaudid), meperidine (Demerol), and methadone (Dolophine)
• sedatives such as phenobarbital, butabarbital (Butisol), amobarbital (Amytal), pentobarbital (Nembutal), and secobarbital (Seconal)
• tranquilizers such as alprazolam (Xanax), lorazepam (Ativan), diazepam (Valium), and chlordiazepoxide (Librium).

Do not eat grapefruit or drink grapefruit juice while taking this medicine because the action of this medicine may be increased, along with the risk of side effects.

Keep a list of all your medicines (prescription, nonprescription, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins) with you. Be sure that you tell all health care providers who treat you about all the products you are taking.

How should I store this medicine?

Store this medicine at room temperature. Keep the container tightly closed. Protect it from heat, high humidity, and bright light. Do not allow the oral liquid or injection to freeze.

This advisory includes selected information only and may not include all side effects of this medicine or interactions with other medicines. Ask your health care provider or pharmacist for more information or if you have any questions.

Ask your pharmacist for the best way to dispose of outdated medicine or medicine you have not used. Do not throw medicines in the trash.

Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.

Do not share medicines with other people.