Haloperidol

Haloperidol Injection



(ha loe per' i dole)

Haldol®
Haldol® Decanoate

Studies have shown that older adults with dementia (a brain disorder that affects the ability to remember, think clearly, communicate, and perform daily activities and that may cause changes in mood and personality) who take antipsychotics (medications for mental illness) such as haloperidol have an increased chance of death during treatment.
Haloperidol injection and haloperidol extended-release injection are not approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of behavior disorders in older adults with dementia. Talk to the doctor who prescribed this medication if you, a family member, or someone you care for has dementia and is being treated with haloperidol injection or haloperidol extended-release injection. For more information visit the FDA website: http://www.fda.gov/Drugs
Talk to your doctor about the risk(s) of receiving haloperidol injection or haloperidol extended-release injection.

Haloperidol injection and haloperidol extended-release injection are used to treat schizophrenia (a mental illness that causes disturbed or unusual thinking, loss of interest in life, and strong or inappropriate emotions). Haloperidol injection is also used to control motor tics (uncontrollable need to repeat certain body movements) and verbal tics (uncontrollable need to repeat sounds or words) in people who have Tourette's disorder (condition characterized by motor or verbal tics). Haloperidol is in a class of medications called conventional antipsychotics. It works by decreasing abnormal excitement in the brain.

Haloperidol injection comes as a solution to be injected into a muscle by a healthcare provider. Haloperidol injection is usually given as needed for agitation, motor tics, or verbal tics. If you still have symptoms after you receive your first dose, you may be given one or more additional doses. Haloperidol extended-release injection comes as a solution to be injected into a muscle by a healthcare provider. Haloperidol extended-release injection is usually given once every 4 weeks.
Haloperidol injection and haloperidol extended-release injection may help control your symptoms but will not cure your condition. Continue to keep appointments to receive haloperidol even if you feel well. Talk to your doctor if you do not feel like you are getting better during your treatment with haloperidol injection.
Ask your pharmacist or doctor for a copy of the manufacturer's information for the patient.

Before taking haloperidol,

tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to haloperidol or any other medications.

tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking or plan to take. Be sure to mention any of the following: amiodarone (Cordarone); anticoagulants (blood thinners); antihistamines; disopyramide (Norpace); dofetilide (Tikosyn); epinephrine (Epipen); erythromycin (E.E.S., E-Mycin, Erythrocin); ipratropium (Atrovent); lithium (Eskalith, Lithobid); medications for anxiety, depression, irritable bowel disease, mental illness, motion sickness, Parkinson's disease,seizures, ulcers, or urinary problems; methyldopa; moxifloxacin (Avelox); narcotic medications for pain; pimozide (Orap); procainamide ; quinidine ; rifampin (Rifater, Rifadin); sedatives; sotalol (Betapace, Betapace AF); sparfloxacin (Zagam) (not available in the US); sleeping pills; thioridazine; and tranquilizers. Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects.

tell your doctor if you have or have ever had Parkinson's disease (PD; a disorder of the nervous system that causes difficulties with movement, muscle control, and balance). Your doctor will probably tell you not to take haloperidol.

tell your doctor if you or anyone in your family has or has ever had prolonged QT syndrome (condition that increases the risk of developing an irregular heartbeat that may cause loss of consciousness, or sudden death). Also tell your doctor if you have or have ever had breast cancer; bipolar disorder (condition that causes episodes of depression, episodes of mania, and other abnormal moods); citrullinemia (condition that causes build-up of ammonia in the blood); an abnormal electroencephalogram (EEG; a test that records electrical activity in the brain); seizures; an irregular heartbeat; low levels of calcium or magnesium in your blood; trouble keeping your balance; chest pain; or heart or thyroid disease. Also tell your doctor if you have ever had to stop taking a medication for mental illness due to severe side effects.

tell your doctor if you are pregnant, especially if you are in the last few months of your pregnancy, or if you plan to become pregnant or are breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while taking haloperidol, call your doctor. Haloperidol may cause problems in newborns following delivery if it is taken during the last months of pregnancy.

if you are having surgery, including dental surgery, tell the doctor or dentist that you are taking haloperidol.

you should know that this medication may make you drowsy and may affect your thinking and movements. Do not drive a car or operate machinery until you know how this medication affects you.

ask your doctor about the safe use of alcohol during your treatment with haloperidol. Alcohol can make the side effects of haloperidol worse.

you should know that haloperidol may cause dizziness, lightheadedness, and fainting when you get up too quickly from a lying position. To avoid this problem, get out of bed slowly, resting your feet on the floor for a few minutes before standing up.

Unless your doctor tells you otherwise, continue your normal diet.

If you forget to keep an appointment to receive haloperidol extended-release injection, call your doctor to schedule another appointment as soon as possible.

Haloperidol injection or haloperidol extended-release injection may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:



mood changes

difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep

restlessness

anxiety

agitation

dizziness, feeling unsteady, or having trouble keeping your balance

headache

dry mouth

increased saliva

blurred vision

loss of appetite

constipation

diarrhea

heartburn

nausea

vomiting

breast enlargement or pain

breast milk production

missed menstrual periods

decreased sexual ability in men

increased sexual desire

difficulty urinating

Some side effects can be serious. If you experience any of these symptoms, call your doctor immediately or get emergency medical treatment:



fever

muscle stiffness

falling

confusion

fast or irregular heartbeat

sweating

decreased thirst

involuntary movements of tongue, face, mouth or jaw

uncontrollable eye movements

unusual, slowed, or uncontrollable movements of any part of the body

tightness in the throat

fine, worm-like tongue movements

neck cramps

difficulty breathing or swallowing

tongue that sticks out of the mouth

uncontrollable, rhythmic face, mouth, or jaw movements

difficulty walking

difficulty talking

seizures

seeing things or hearing voices that do not exist

yellowing of the skin or eyes

erection that lasts for hours
Haloperidol injection or haloperidol extended-release injection may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while receiving this medication.
If you experience a serious side effect, you or your doctor may send a report to the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program online (http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch) or by phone (1-800-332-1088).

Keep all appointments with your doctor and the laboratory. Your doctor may order certain lab tests to check your body's response to haloperidol injection or haloperidol extended-release injection.
Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about haloperidol injection or haloperidol extended-release injection.
It is important for you to keep a written list of all of the prescription and nonprescription (over-the-counter) medicines you are taking, as well as any products such as vitamins, minerals, or other dietary supplements. You should bring this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to a hospital. It is also important information to carry with you in case of emergencies.