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 is used to treat psychotic disorders (conditions that cause difficulty telling the difference between things or ideas that are real and things or ideas that are not real). Haloperidol 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 adults and children who have Tourette's disorder (condition characterized by motor or verbal tics). Haloperidol is also used to treat severe behavioral problems such as explosive, aggressive behavior or hyperactivity in children who cannot be treated with psychotherapy or with other medications. Haloperidol is in a group 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 receiving haloperidol injection or haloperidol extended-release injection,

tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to haloperidol, any other medications, or any of the ingredients in haloperidol injection or haloperidol extended-release injection. Ask your pharmacist for a list of the ingredients.

tell your doctor and pharmacist what other 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: alprazolam (Xanax); amiodarone (Cordarone, Nexterone, Pacerone); anticoagulants (blood thinners); antifungals medications such as itraconazole (Onmel, Sporanox) and ketoconazole (Nizoral); antihistamines (in cough and cold medications); medications for anxiety, depression, irritable bowel disease, mental illness, motion sickness, Parkinson's disease, seizures, ulcers, or urinary problems; buspirone; carbamazepine (Carbatrol, Tegretol, Teril, others); chlorpromazine; disopyramide (Norpace); diuretics ('water pills'); epinephrine (Adrenalin, Epipen, Twinject, others); erythromycin (E.E.S., E-Mycin, Erythrocin); fluoxetine (Prozac, Sarafem, Selfemra); fluvoxamine (Luvox); lithium (Lithobid); moxifloxacin (Avelox); narcotic medications for pain; nefazodone; paroxetine (Brisdelle, Paxil, Pexeva); promethazine (Promethegan); quinidine (in Nuedexta); rifampin (Rifadin, Rimactane, in Rifamate, in Rifater); sedatives; sertraline (Zoloft); sleeping pills; tranquilizers; and venlafaxine (Effexor XR). Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects. Many other medications may also interact with haloperidol, so be sure to tell your doctor about all the medications you are taking, even those that do not appear on this list.

tell your doctor if you have 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 receive haloperidol injection.

tell your doctor if you have a low number of white blood cells. Also tell your doctor if you have or have ever had QT prolongation (an irregular heart rhythm that can lead to fainting, loss of consciousness, seizures, or sudden death); bipolar disorder (condition that causes episodes of depression, episodes of mania, and other abnormal moods); trouble keeping your balance; an abnormal electroencephalogram (EEG; a test that records electrical activity in the brain); seizures; an irregular heartbeat; low levels of potassium or magnesium in your blood; or heart or thyroid disease.

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 breastfeeding. If you become pregnant while receiving haloperidol, call your doctor. Haloperidol may cause problems in newborns following delivery if it is given during the last months of pregnancy.

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

you should know that receiving haloperidol injection or haloperidol extended-release injection may make you drowsy and may affect your ability to think clearly, make decisions, and react quickly. Do not drive a car or operate machinery after you receive haloperidol injection or haloperidol extended-release injection until you know how this medication affects you.

you should know that alcohol can add to the drowsiness caused by this medication. Do not drink alcohol during your treatment with haloperidol.

you should know that haloperidol injection 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 this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store it at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture (not in the bathroom). Protect the liquid from light and do not allow it to freeze.
Unneeded medications should be disposed of in special ways to ensure that pets, children, and other people cannot consume them.  However, you should not flush this medication down the toilet. Instead, the best way to dispose of your medication is through a medicine take-back program. Talk to your pharmacist or contact your local garbage/recycling department to learn about take-back programs in your community.  See the FDA's Safe Disposal of Medicines website (http://goo.gl/c4Rm4p) for more information if you do not have access to a take-back program.
It is important to keep all medication out of sight and reach of children as many containers (such as weekly pill minders and those for eye drops, creams, patches, and inhalers) are not child-resistant and young children can open them easily. To protect young children from poisoning, always lock safety caps and immediately place the medication in a safe location – one that is up and away and out of their sight and reach. http://www.upandaway.org

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 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.
¶ This branded product is no longer on the market. Generic alternatives may be available.