Medications and Drugs

1. Schizophrenia Slideshow Pictures
2. Take the Schizophrenia Quiz

Brand Names: Haldol

Generic Name: haloperidol (Pronunciation: HAL oh PER i dol)

• What is haloperidol (Haldol)?
• What are the possible side effects of haloperidol (Haldol)?
• What is the most important information I should know about haloperidol (Haldol)?
• What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking haloperidol (Haldol)?
• How should I take haloperidol (Haldol)?
• What happens if I miss a dose (Haldol)?
• What happens if I overdose (Haldol)?
• What should I avoid while taking haloperidol (Haldol)?
• What other drugs will affect haloperidol (Haldol)?
• Where can I get more information?

What is haloperidol (Haldol)?

Haloperidol is an antipsychotic medication. It works by changing the actions of chemicals in your brain.

Haloperidol is used to treat schizophrenia. It is also used to control motor and speech tics in people with Tourette's syndrome.

Haloperidol may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Haloperidol 0.5 mg-MYL

round, orange, imprinted with MYLAN 351

Haloperidol 0.5 mg-PAR

round, white, imprinted with par 223

Haloperidol 1 mg-MYL

round, orange, imprinted with MYLAN 257

Haloperidol 10 mg-GG

round, green, imprinted with GG 126

Haloperidol 10 mg-PAR

round, green, imprinted with par 227

Haloperidol 2 mg-GG

round, pink, imprinted with GG 124

Haloperidol 2 mg-MYL

round, orange, imprinted with MYLAN 214

Haloperidol 2 mg-PAR

round, pink, imprinted with par 225

Haloperidol 20 mg-GG

round, pink, imprinted with GG 134

Haloperidol 5 mg-GG

round, green, imprinted with GG 125

Haloperidol 5 mg-MYL

round, orange, imprinted with MYLAN 327

What are the possible side effects of haloperidol (Haldol)?

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

Call your doctor at once if you have a serious side effect such as:

• dizziness, fainting, fast or pounding heartbeat;
• restless muscle movements in your eyes, tongue, jaw, or neck;
• tremor (uncontrolled shaking);
• seizure (convulsions);
• pale skin, easy bruising or bleeding, flu symptoms;
• very stiff (rigid) muscles, high fever, sweating, confusion, fast or uneven heartbeats, tremors, feeling like you might pass out;
• stabbing chest pain, feeling short of breath, cough with yellow or green mucus;
• sudden mood changes, agitation, hallucinations, unusual thoughts or behavior; or
• jaundice (yellowing of your skin or eyes).

Less serious side effects may include:

• headache, dizziness, spinning sensation, drowsiness;
• sleep problems (insomnia);
• feeling restless or anxious;
• mild skin rash or itching;
• breast enlargement, irregular menstrual periods, loss of interest in sex; or
• dry mouth, blurred vision, urinating less than usual.

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

What is the most important information I should know about haloperidol (Haldol)?

Haloperidol is not for use in psychotic conditions related to dementia. Haloperidol may cause heart failure, sudden death, or pneumonia in older adults with dementia-related conditions.

You should not use this medication if you are allergic to haloperidol, or have certain conditions. Be sure your doctor knows if you have Parkinson's disease.

Before taking haloperidol, tell your doctor if you have liver disease, kidney disease, heart disease, angina (chest pain), a thyroid disorder, epilepsy or other seizure disorder, a personal or family history of "Long QT syndrome," or an electrolyte imbalance such as low potassium or magnesium levels in your blood.

Haloperidol may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be alert.

Avoid getting up too fast from a sitting or lying position, or you may feel dizzy. Get up slowly and steady yourself to prevent a fall.

Drinking alcohol can increase certain side effects of haloperidol.

Call your doctor at once if you have tremor (uncontrolled shaking) or restless muscle movements in your eyes, tongue, jaw, or neck.

Need help identifying pills and medications?
Use the pill finder tool on RxList.