$Unique_ID{BRK03176} $Pretitle{} $Title{haloperidol} $Subject{Haldol McNeil CPC Antipsychotic haloperidol mental illness psychosis manic manic-depressive Tourette syndrome behavioral problems children chemicals nerve transmission brain} $Volume{} $Log{ Haldol*0317601.scf} Copyright (C) 1993 Publications International, Ltd. haloperidol ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ BRAND NAMES (Manufacturers) Haldol (McNeil CPC) haloperidol (various manufacturers) TYPE OF DRUG Antipsychotic INGREDIENT haloperidol DOSAGE FORMS Tablets (0.5 mg, 1 mg, 2 mg, 5 mg, 10 mg, and 20 mg) Oral concentrate (2 mg per ml) STORAGE Haloperidol tablets and oral concentrate should be stored at room temperature in a tightly closed, light-resistant container. This medication should never be frozen. USES Haloperidol is prescribed to treat the symptoms of certain types of mental illness, such as the emotional symptoms of psychosis, the manic phase of manic-depressive illness, Tourette's syndrome, and severe behavioral problems in children. This drug is thought to relieve symptoms of mental illness by blocking certain chemicals involved with nerve transmission in the brain. TREATMENT To avoid stomach irritation, you can take haloperidol tablets with a meal or with a glass of water or milk (unless your doctor directs you to do otherwise). The oral form of this drug should be measured carefully with the dropper provided, then added to four ounces (1/2 cup) or more of water, milk, or a cola-free, caffeine-free carbonated beverage or to applesauce or pudding immediately prior to administration. To prevent possible loss of effectiveness, haloperidol should not be diluted with tea, coffee, caffeine-containing beverages, or apple juice. If you miss a dose of this medication and remember within six hours, take the missed dose as soon as then return to your regular schedule. If more than six hours have passed, however, skip the missed dose and return to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double the next dose unless your doctor directs you to do so. The full effects of haloperidol may not become apparent for two weeks after you start to take it. SIDE EFFECTS Minor. Blurred vision, constipation, decreased or increased sweating, diarrhea, dizziness, drooling, drowsiness, dry mouth, fatigue, headache, heartburn, jitteriness, loss of appetite, menstrual irregularities, nausea, restlessness, sleep disorders, vomiting, or weakness. As your body adjusts to the medication, these side effects should disappear. This medication can cause increased sensitivity to sunlight. It is, therefore, important to avoid prolonged exposure to sunlight and sunlamps. Wear protective clothing and use an effective sunscreen. If you are constipated, increase the amount of fiber in your diet (fresh fruits and vegetables, salads, bran, and whole-grain breads), exercise, and drink more water (unless your doctor directs you to do otherwise). To reduce mouth dryness, chew sugarless gum or suck on ice chips or a piece of hard candy. To avoid dizziness or light-headedness when you stand, contract and relax the muscles of your legs for a few moments before rising. Do this by pushing one foot against the floor while raising the other foot slightly, alternating feet so that you are "pumping" your legs in a pedaling motion. Major. Tell your doctor about any side effects that are persistent or particularly bothersome. IT IS ESPECIALLY IMPORTANT TO TELL YOUR DOCTOR about aching joints and muscles; breast enlargement (in both sexes); chest pain; confusion; convulsions; difficulty in breathing or swallowing; difficulty in urinating; fainting; fever; fluid retention; hair loss; hallucinations; impotence; involuntary movements of the mouth, face, neck, tongue, or limbs; mouth sores; palpitations; skin darkening; skin rash; sore throat; tremors; unusual bleeding or bruising; visual disturbances; or yellowing of the eyes or skin. INTERACTIONS Haloperidol interacts with several other types of medications: 1. It can cause extreme drowsiness when combined with alcohol or other central nervous system depressants (such as antihistamines, barbiturates, benzodiazepine tranquilizers, muscle relaxants, narcotics, and pain medications) or with tricyclic antidepressants. 2. This drug can lessen the effectiveness of guanethidine and anticonvulsants (antiseizure medications). 3. Haloperidol may increase the side effects of epinephrine, lithium, and methyldopa. Before starting to take haloperidol, BE SURE TO TELL YOUR DOCTOR about any medications you are currently taking, especially any of those listed above. WARNINGS * Tell your doctor about unusual or allergic reactions you have had to any medications, especially to haloperidol or to any other drugs used to treat mental illness. * Tell your doctor if you now have or if you have ever had any blood disorders, blockage of the urinary tract, drug-induced depression, enlarged prostate gland, epilepsy, glaucoma, heart or circulatory disease, kidney disease, liver disease, lung disease, mental depression, Parkinson's disease, peptic ulcers, or thyroid disease. * Avoid drinking alcoholic beverages while taking this medication in order to prevent oversedation. * If this medication makes you dizzy or drowsy, do not take part in any activity that requires alertness, such as driving a car or operating potentially dangerous machinery. Be careful on stairs, and avoid getting up suddenly from a lying or sitting position. * Prior to having surgery or any other medical or dental treatment, be sure to tell your doctor or dentist that you are taking this medication. * Some of the side effects caused by this drug can be prevented by taking an antiparkinsonism drug. Discuss this with your doctor. * This medication can decrease sweating and heat release from the body. You should, therefore, avoid getting overheated by strenuous exercise in hot weather and should avoid taking hot baths, showers, and saunas. * Do not stop taking this medication suddenly. If the drug is stopped abruptly, you may experience nausea, vomiting, stomach upset, headache, increased heart rate, insomnia, tremors, or a worsening of your condition. Your doctor may want to reduce the dosage gradually. * The elderly may be at increased risk for side effects. Watch closely for side effects or other changes, especially in mental status after taking haloperidol and report them to your doctor. * If you are planning to have a myelogram or any other procedure in which dye is injected into the spinal cord, tell your doctor that you are taking this medication. * Avoid spilling the oral concentrate form of this medication on your skin or clothing; it can cause redness and irritation of the skin. * While taking haloperidol, do not take any over-the-counter (nonprescription) medications for weight control or for cough, cold, allergy, asthma, or sinus problems unless you first check with your doctor. The combination of these medications may cause high blood pressure. * Haloperidol has the potential to cause a permanent movement disorder called tardive dyskinesia. It is important to discuss this with your doctor and to report any unusual or uncontrolled body movements. * Some haloperidol formulations contain the color additive FD&C Yellow No. 5 (tartrazine), which can cause allergic-type reactions (rash, shortness of breath, fainting) in certain susceptible individuals. * Be sure to tell your doctor if you are pregnant. A few cases of limb malformations have occurred in infants whose mothers had received haloperidol in combination with several other drugs during the first three months of pregnancy. Whether haloperidol was the cause is still not known. Also, tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding an infant. Small amounts of haloperidol pass into breast milk. ---------------- The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace the counsel and advice of your personal physician. Promptly consulting your doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical problem.