Haldol - haloperidol_ medlineplus drug information

Haloperidol: MedlinePlus Drug Information Haloperidol
URL of this page: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/meds/a682180.html IMPORTANT WARNING:
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 takeantipsychotics (medications for mental illness) such as haloperidol have an increased chance of death during treatment.
Haloperidol is not approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of behavior problems in olderadults with dementia. Talk to the doctor who prescribed this medication if you, a family member, or someone you carefor has dementia and is taking haloperidol. For more information, visit the FDA website: http://www.fda.gov/Drugs Why is this medication prescribed?
Haloperidol is used to treat psychotic disorders (conditions that cause difficulty telling the difference between things or ideasthat are real and things or ideas that are not real). Haloperidol is also used to control motor tics (uncontrollable need torepeat certain body movements) and verbal tics (uncontrollable need to repeat sounds or words) in adults and children whohave Tourette's disorder (condition characterized by motor or verbal tics). Haloperidol is also used to treat severe behavioralproblems such as explosive, aggressive behavior or hyperactivity in children who cannot be treated with psychotherapy orwith other medications. Haloperidol is in a group of medications called conventional antipsychotics. It works by decreasingabnormal excitement in the brain.
How should this medicine be used?
Haloperidol comes as a tablet and concentrated liquid to take by mouth. It is usually taken two or three times a day. Takehaloperidol at around the same times every day. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask yourdoctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take haloperidol exactly as directed. Do not take more orless of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor.
Your doctor will probably start you on a low dose of haloperidol and gradually increase your dose. Your doctor may decreaseyour dose once your condition is controlled. Be sure to tell your doctor how you are feeling during your treatment withhaloperidol.
Haloperidol may help control your condition, but will not cure it. Continue to take haloperidol even if you feel well. Do not stoptaking haloperidol without talking to your doctor. Your doctor will probably decrease your dose gradually. If you suddenly stoptaking haloperidol, you may experience difficulty controlling your movements.
Other uses for this medicine
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/meds/a682180.html Haloperidol: MedlinePlus Drug Information Haloperidol is also used to treat confusion and difficulty thinking and understanding that is caused by severe physical ormental illness. Talk to your doctor about the possible risks of using this medication for your condition.
This medication may be prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.
What special precautions should I follow?
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 urinaryproblems; methyldopa; moxifloxacin (Avelox); narcotic medications for pain; pimozide (Orap); procainamide ; quinidine; rifampin (Rifater, Rifadin); sedatives; sotalol (Betapace, Betapace AF); sparfloxacin (Zagam) (not available in theUS); sleeping pills; thioridazine; and tranquilizers. Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications ormonitor 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 causesdifficulties 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 increasesthe risk of developing an irregular heartbeat that may cause loss of consciousness, or sudden death). Also tell yourdoctor 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 irregularheartbeat; low levels of calcium or magnesium in your blood; chest pain; or heart or thyroid disease. Also tell yourdoctor 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 tobecome pregnant or are breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while taking haloperidol, call your doctor. Haloperidolmay 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 notdrive 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 sideeffects of haloperidol worse.
What special dietary instructions should I follow?
Unless your doctor tells you otherwise, continue your normal diet.
What should I do if I forget a dose?
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember it. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose andcontinue your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one.
What side effects can this medication cause?
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/meds/a682180.html Haloperidol: MedlinePlus Drug Information Haloperidol may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away: difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep unusual, slowed, or uncontrollable movements of any part of the body If you experience any of the following symptoms, call your doctor immediately: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/meds/a682180.html Haloperidol: MedlinePlus Drug Information uncontrollable, rhythmic face, mouth, or jaw movements Haloperidol may cause other side effects. Tell your doctor if you have any unusual problems while you are taking thismedication.
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 [at http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch] or by phone [1-800-332-1088].
What storage conditions are needed for this medicine?
Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store it at room temperature andaway from excess heat and moisture (not in the bathroom). Protect the liquid from light and do not allow it to freeze. Throwaway any medication that is outdated or no longer needed. Talk to your pharmacist about the proper disposal of yourmedication.
In case of emergency/overdose
In case of overdose, call your local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. If the victim has collapsed or is not breathing,call local emergency services at 911.
unusual, slowed, or uncontrollable movements of any part of the body http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/meds/a682180.html Haloperidol: MedlinePlus Drug Information What other information should I know?
Keep all appointments with your doctor.
Do not let anyone else take your medication. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about refilling your prescription.
It is important for you to keep a written list of all of the prescription and nonprescription (over-the-counter) medicines you aretaking, as well as any products such as vitamins, minerals, or other dietary supplements. You should bring this list with youeach time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to a hospital. It is also important information to carry with you in case ofemergencies.
Brand names
¶ These branded products are no longer on the market and only generic alternatives are available.
American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, Inc. Disclaimer AHFS® Consumer Medication Information. Copyright, 2012. The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, Inc., 7272 Wisconsin Avenue, Bethesda, Maryland. All Rights Reserved. Duplication for commercial use must be authorized by ASHP.
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/meds/a682180.html

Source: http://www.seniorsatrisk.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/Exh-Q-Haloperidol_-MedlinePlus-Drug-Information.pdf