Haldol (injection)

Haldol is an antipsychotic medicine that treats schizophrenia.

Haldol is also used to manage motor and speech tics in individuals with Tourette's syndrome.

Haldol is sometimes given to people who cannot take the medicine by mouth.

Haldol may also be used for reasons not mentioned in this medication guide.

Haldol is not approved for use in older adults with dementia-related psychosis.

You should not receive Haldol if you are allergic to Haldol, or if you have:

• Parkinson's disease;
• dementia with Lewy bodies;
• a peanut allergy (this medicine contains sesame oil); or
• certain conditions that affect your central nervous system (such as severe drowsiness, or slowed thinking caused by taking other medicines or drinking alcohol).

Haldol may increase the risk of death in older adults with dementia-related psychosis and is not approved for this use.

Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

• heart problems, angina (chest pain);
• long QT syndrome (in you or a family member);
• low blood pressure;
• a seizure;
• low white blood cell (WBC) counts;
• a thyroid disorder; or
• an electrolyte imbalance (such as low blood levels of potassium or magnesium).

Using antipsychotic medicine in the last 3 months of pregnancy may cause serious problems in the newborn. If you get pregnant, tell your doctor right away. Do not stop the medicine without your doctor's advice.

You should not breastfeed while using Haldol.

Get emergency medical help if you notice signs of an allergic reaction: hives; trouble breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Using high doses or using haloperidol for a long time can lead to a serious movement disorder that might not go away. The longer you take Haldol, the more likely you are to develop this disorder, especially if you are diabetic or an older adult.

Haldol can cause serious side effects. Contact your doctor immediately if you experience:

• uncontrolled muscle movements in your face (chewing, lip smacking, frowning, tongue movement, blinking or eye movement);
• quick changes in your mood or behavior;
• fast or pounding heartbeats, fluttering in your chest, shortness of breath, and sudden dizziness (like you might faint);
• cough with mucus, chest pain, feeling short of breath;
• lack of energy, decreased thirst;
• muscle spasms in your neck, tightness in your throat, trouble swallowing;
• low white blood cell counts—fever, chills, mouth sores, skin sores, sore throat, cough, trouble breathing; or
• severe nervous system reaction—very stiff (rigid) muscles, high fever, sweating, confusion, fast or uneven heartbeats, tremors, feeling like you might faint.

Older adults may be more likely to experience serious side effects.

Common side effects of Haldol may include:

• drowsiness;
• neck stiffness;
• tremors; or
• involuntary muscle movements.

This is not a complete list of side effects, and others may occur. Contact your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

You may be given oral Haldol to take by mouth for a short time before you are treated with this medicine.

Haldol is injected into a muscle by a healthcare provider, usually once every 3 to 4 weeks as needed.

If you use this medicine long-term, you may need frequent medical tests.

Do not stop using Haldol suddenly after long-term use, or you could have unpleasant withdrawal symptoms. Ask your doctor how to safely stop using this medicine.

Call your doctor for guidance if you miss an appointment for your Haldol.

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222 if you have overdose symptoms (extreme drowsiness, severe tremors or muscle stiffness, weak or shallow breathing, fainting). An overdose of haloperidol can be fatal.

Avoid driving or hazardous activity until you know how Haldol will affect you. Dizziness or drowsiness can cause falls, accidents, or severe injuries.

Avoid drinking alcohol. Dangerous side effects could occur.

Avoid becoming overheated or dehydrated during exercise and in hot weather. You may be more prone to heat stroke while you are using Haldol.

Sometimes, it is not safe to use certain medications together. Some drugs can change the levels of other drugs in your blood, which may increase side effects or make the medications less effective.

Haldol can cause a serious heart problem. Your risk may be higher if you also take certain other medicines for infections, asthma, heart problems, high blood pressure, depression, mental illness, cancer, malaria, or HIV.

Using Haldol with other drugs that make you drowsy can make this effect worse. Ask your doctor before using opioid medication, a sleeping pill, a muscle relaxer, or medicine for anxiety or seizures.

Tell your doctor about all your other medicines, especially:

• lithium;
• rifampin;
• medicine to treat Parkinson's disease;
• seizure medicine; or
• a blood thinner--warfarin, Coumadin, Jantoven.

This list is not complete. Other drugs may affect Haldol, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible drug interactions are listed here.