What Is Haldol Used For?

Haldol contains haloperidol decanoate, which belongs to a group of medicines called antipsychotics. It’s a long-acting medication that works by correcting chemical imbalances in the brain that may cause mental illness.

Primary Uses

Haldol is used in adults whose condition has previously been treated with haloperidol taken by mouth. It treats mental health problems such as schizophrenia and other illnesses that affect the way you think, feel, or behave. These conditions may cause confusion, hallucinations (seeing, hearing, feeling or smelling things that aren’t there), delusions (believing things that aren’t true), unusual suspiciousness, extreme excitement or agitation, or aggressive behavior.

How It Works

Haldol works by correcting the chemical imbalances in the brain which may cause mental illness. As a long-acting antipsychotic, it provides sustained treatment over time.

How to Take Haldol

Haldol will be given as an injection by your doctor or nurse into a muscle in the buttocks. It should not be given into a vein.

Dosage Instructions

Your doctor will decide how much Haldol you will receive based on your age, body weight, medical history and conditions. It is usually given every four weeks, however your doctor may lengthen or shorten this time. Your doctor will monitor you closely when you start receiving Haldol and may adjust your dose until the medicine controls your symptoms. If you are elderly or physically unwell, you may need less Haldol.

What If You Miss a Dose?

If you miss your injection, contact your doctor as soon as possible and make a new appointment. You should not stop this medicine unless told to do so as your symptoms may return.

Available Tablet Strengths

Side Effects

Like all medications, this medicine can cause side effects. Most are mild and temporary, but some require medical attention.

Common Side Effects

These side effects occur relatively frequently and usually don’t require emergency care:

• Uncontrollable twitching or jerking movements
• Tremors
• Parkinsonism (brain disease affecting movement with trembling, rigid posture, slow movements, shuffling walk)
• Drowsiness or sleepiness
• Lack of normal facial expressions
• Restlessness or difficulty sitting still
• Dry mouth
• Constipation
• Increased salivation
• Problems having sex
• Injection site reaction
• Weight increase
• Low body temperature
• Weight gain or loss
• Redness, burning or pain at injection site
• Difficulty urinating
• Swelling from fluid buildup
• Difficulty sleeping
• Feeling agitated, confused or depressed
• Nausea or vomiting
• Muscle stiffness or weakness
• Vision problems like blurred vision
• Skin problems (flaking, peeling, itching, rash, sun sensitivity)
• Excessive sweating
• Sexual problems (erectile dysfunction, menstrual changes, breast enlargement, unexpected breast milk production)

Important Warnings

There are several important conditions and situations where Haldol should not be used or requires special caution.

Who Should Not Take Haldol

Do not use Haldol if you are allergic to haloperidol decanoate or any ingredients, have severe drowsiness due to illness or alcohol/medicine use, feel unusually confused or dizzy, suffer from severe depression, have muscle stiffness or movement problems due to conditions like Parkinson’s disease, have Lewy body dementia, or have progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP).

Medical Conditions to Discuss

Tell your doctor if you have dementia-related psychosis, history of brain bleeding or stroke risk, heart problems or family history of heart issues, low blood pressure, QT-prolongation heart disorder, uncontrolled tongue/mouth movements (tardive dyskinesia), history of neuroleptic malignant syndrome, epilepsy or seizures, depression, kidney or liver disease, overactive thyroid, blood clots or family history of blood clots, significant weight gain with other antipsychotics, potassium imbalance conditions, or electrolyte imbalances.

Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

Like most antipsychotic medicines, Haldol is not recommended during pregnancy. Discuss risks and benefits with your doctor. Small amounts may pass into breast milk. Problems may occur in newborn babies if mothers use Haldol in the last 3 months of pregnancy, including muscle tremors, stiff or weak muscles, sleepiness, agitation, breathing or feeding problems, and withdrawal symptoms.

Drug Interactions

Some medicines may interfere with Haldol and affect how it works. Special monitoring may be needed if you are using lithium and Haldol at the same time.

• Depression/mood medicines (nefazodone, buspirone, venlafaxine, fluvoxamine, fluoxetine, paroxetine, sertraline, lithium, alprazolam, chlorpromazine, citalopram, escitalopram, St John’s Wort, tricyclic antidepressants)
• Other antipsychotic medicines
• Nausea/vomiting medicines (promethazine, chlorpromazine, dolasetron)
• Antiviral medicines (ritonavir for HIV)
• Antifungal medications (ketoconazole, itraconazole, pentamidine)
• Medicines causing electrolyte imbalance
• Alcohol or drowsiness-causing medicines
• Blood pressure/heart medicines (methyldopa, bepridil)
• Heart rhythm medicines (quinidine, amiodarone, dofetilide, disopyramide, dronedarone, ibutilide, sotalol)
• Cough/cold/weight reduction medicines with adrenaline
• Adrenaline-blocking medicines (guanethidine)
• Antibiotics (rifampicin, erythromycin, levofloxacin, moxifloxacin)
• Anticholinergic medicines for travel sickness, Parkinson’s, stomach cramps
• Parkinson’s medicines (levodopa)
• Epilepsy medicines (carbamazepine, phenobarbital)
• Blood thinners (phenindione)
• Methadone
• Malaria medicines (halofantrine)
• Cancer medicines (toremifene, vandetanib)

Alcohol & Driving

Haldol can affect your ability to drive and operate machinery, and can increase the effects of alcohol.

Alcohol

Do not drink alcohol while using Haldol. Haldol can increase the effects of alcohol and might make you feel sleepy and less alert.

Driving and Operating Machinery

Do not drive or operate any tools or machinery until your doctor says it is safe. Haldol can cause dizziness in some people and affect your alertness and ability to drive and operate machinery, particularly when you first start using it or after a high dose.

Storage

Store Haldol below 25°C in a cool, dry place and protect it from light. Keep it in the original pack until time to use. Store in a place where young children cannot reach it – a locked cupboard at least 1.5 meters above ground is recommended. Do not store in the bathroom, near a sink, in the car, or on window sills. Do not use if packaging is torn or shows signs of tampering, or if it is beyond the expiry date.

Overdose Information

If you think you have been given too much Haldol, you may need urgent medical attention. Signs of overdose may include severe tremor, fainting, or drowsiness. Since this medicine is given by your doctor or nurse, it is unlikely you will be given too much, but if you are worried, tell the healthcare provider. For overdose concerns, immediately phone the Poisons Information Centre (13 11 26 in Australia or 0800 POISON/0800 764 766 in New Zealand), contact your doctor, or go to the nearest hospital Emergency Department, even if there are no signs of discomfort.

Frequently Asked Questions