Haloperidol Concentrate, Haloperidol Lactate

Introduction

Written by Ashley Wong, PharmD
Medically reviewed by Dena Westphalen, PharmD
Updated on September 27, 2023

Haloperidol (ha loe PER i dole) is a generic medication prescribed for certain mental health and behavioral conditions. Haloperidol belongs to a group of drugs called typical antipsychotics.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved haloperidol to manage:

• schizophrenia in adults
• repetitive twitches, movements, and sounds due to Tourette syndrome in adults and some children
• severe behavior problems and hyperactivity in some children

These approved uses differ based on the form of haloperidol your doctor prescribes.

This article doesn’t provide coupons for all forms of haloperidol. To find coupons for haloperidol injection, see this article.

Boxed warning: Increased risk of death in certain older adults

Haloperidol has a boxed warning about the increased risk of death in older adults with dementia-related psychosis. Boxed warnings are the most serious warnings from the FDA.

For details, see the “Interactions and warnings for haloperidol” section.

Side effects of haloperidol

Haloperidol may cause mild or serious side effects. More common mild side effects of haloperidol and its serious side effects are listed below. This article doesn’t include all possible side effects of the drug. Side effects can vary based on your age, overall health, and any other medications you take.

To learn more about haloperidol’s side effects, ask your doctor or pharmacist. You can also refer to the prescribing information for haloperidol listed in the “Resources” section.

Mild side effects

More common mild side effects reported with some forms of haloperidol are listed below. These side effects may differ based on the form of haloperidol you use.

This article doesn’t include all possible mild side effects of the drug. To learn more about haloperidol’s side effects based on the form, refer to the prescribing information for haloperidol listed in the “Resources” section.

With many drugs, mild side effects may go away within a few days or a couple of weeks. If the side effects are bothersome, tell your doctor or pharmacist. They may be able to suggest ways to manage them.

Haloperidol oral solution’s mild side effects include:

• loss of appetite
• constipation
• nausea
• dry mouth
• mild allergic reaction*

Haloperidol injection’s† mild side effects include:

• involuntary muscle movements
• shakiness
• stiff muscles
• constipation
• mild allergic reaction*

* For details about this side effect, see the “Interactions and warnings for haloperidol” section.
† A healthcare professional will give this as an injection into your muscle.

Serious side effects

Serious side effects of haloperidol are listed below. These side effects may differ based on the form of haloperidol you use.

This article doesn’t include all possible serious side effects of the drug. To learn more about haloperidol’s side effects based on the form, refer to the prescribing information for haloperidol listed in the “Resources” section.

With many drugs, serious side effects are possible but not common. If you have serious side effects from this drug, call your doctor right away. If you’re having severe symptoms or a medical emergency, call 911 or a local emergency number.

In general, haloperidol’s serious side effects include:

• possibly life threatening changes in heart rhythm called QT prolongation and Torsades de Pointes
• tardive dyskinesia (involuntary, repetitive movements)
• neuroleptic malignant syndrome (a rare but serious reaction to specific drugs)
• extrapyramidal symptoms (unusual movements)
• dystonia (involuntary muscle contractions)
• low white blood cell counts
• increased risks of falls, which can be caused by balance issues, fatigue (low energy), or a drop in blood pressure when you stand up quickly
• seizures
• fever
• heat stroke
• liver problems
• jaundice
• sensitivity to sunlight
• loss of hair
• bronchopneumonia (a type of lung infection)
• boxed warning: increased risk of death in older adults with dementia-related psychosis*
• severe allergic reaction*

* For details about this side effect, see the “Interactions and warnings for haloperidol” section.

Uses of haloperidol

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves prescription drugs such as haloperidol for certain conditions. Approved uses for haloperidol are described below. These uses differ based on the form of haloperidol prescribed.

Use for schizophrenia

Doctors may prescribe haloperidol injection* for treating schizophrenia. It’s used for this purpose in adults. It’s usually prescribed as a long-term treatment.

With schizophrenia, you have an altered perception of reality. You might experience hallucinations (seeing or hearing things that aren’t real), delusions (beliefs in things that aren’t true), or paranoia. Haloperidol helps balance chemicals in the brain to treat schizophrenia.

* A healthcare professional will give this as an injection into your muscle.

Use for Tourette syndrome

Doctors may prescribe haloperidol oral tablet or oral solution for treating symptoms of Tourette syndrome. It’s used for this purpose in adults and children ages 3 years and older. It’s usually prescribed as a long-term treatment.

With Tourette syndrome, you experience repetitive, uncontrollable movements and vocal outbursts. These symptoms may be worse during times of stress, anxiety, or excitement. Haloperidol helps manage symptoms of Tourette syndrome by blocking a brain chemical called dopamine.

Use for certain behavior problems

Doctors may prescribe haloperidol oral tablet or oral solution for treating severe behavior problems or hyperactivity. It’s used for this purpose in children ages 3–12 years old. It’s usually prescribed as a short-term treatment.

Children with severe behavior problems may be combative or extremely excitable. Hyperactive children may move around excessively, have trouble paying attention, or be aggressive. Haloperidol can help manage these problems, but it should only be used if psychotherapy or medications other than antipsychotics haven’t worked.

Common questions about haloperidol

Below you’ll find answers to a few commonly asked questions about haloperidol.

What is haloperidol’s mechanism of action? How does the drug work?

Haloperidol works to treat certain mental health and behavioral conditions by blocking a brain chemical called dopamine. Dopamine is involved with many functions in the body, such as mood, focus, and movement.

Lowering dopamine levels in your brain helps manage certain symptoms. Examples include hallucinations (seeing or hearing things that aren’t real), delusions (beliefs in things that aren’t true), hyperactivity, and excessive movements.

Haloperidol oral tablet and oral solution typically start to improve schizophrenia symptoms within 1 week. But the long-acting haloperidol injection* may take a few weeks to start improving these symptoms. If you’re taking haloperidol for a different condition, ask your doctor how soon you might notice it working.

If you’d like to know more about this, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

* A healthcare professional will give this as an injection into your muscle.

Is haloperidol a sedative?

No, haloperidol isn’t a sedative, and it isn’t approved for treating sleeping problems. Haloperidol can cause drowsiness. But it’s only approved to manage schizophrenia, Tourette syndrome, and certain behavioral problems in children.

If you have questions about taking a sedative, talk with your doctor.

Interactions and warnings for haloperidol

Below, you’ll find information about haloperidol’s possible interactions and warnings.

Interactions of haloperidol

Certain things may affect how a drug works. These include getting vaccines, consuming alcohol or certain foods, or taking the drug with other medications. This effect is called a drug interaction.

Before you take haloperidol, ask your doctor to check for possible interactions. Be sure to tell them about any of the following you take or use:

• prescription or over-the-counter drugs
• vitamins, herbs, or supplements

To learn about drug-condition interactions, see the “Warnings for haloperidol” section below.

Warnings for haloperidol

Some people should not use haloperidol, and others should use it cautiously.

Boxed warning: Increased risk of death in certain older adults

Haloperidol has a boxed warning about the increased risk of death in older adults with dementia-related psychosis. (In general, “older adults” refers to people ages 65 years and older.) Boxed warnings are the most serious warnings from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Dementia is a group of conditions that affect your mental ability. It can cause symptoms such as memory loss, confusion, and difficulty expressing yourself. Psychosis can be a complication of dementia. Although haloperidol is approved for symptoms of psychosis, it isn’t approved for dementia-related psychosis. In fact, taking haloperidol can raise the risk of death in older adults with dementia-related psychosis.

For this reason, doctors typically do not prescribe this drug to treat dementia-related psychosis in older adults.

To learn more, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Other warnings

Haloperidol could cause harm to people with certain health conditions. This effect is called a drug-condition interaction. Other factors can also affect whether haloperidol is a safe option for you. These warnings may differ based on the form of haloperidol you use.

Ask your doctor about specific warnings for haloperidol, and be sure to tell your doctor about your:

• current health, including any allergies to medications
• past health conditions or surgeries

Allergic reaction

Haloperidol can cause an allergic reaction in some people. Severe allergic reactions are rare but possible.

If you’ve had an allergic reaction to haloperidol or any of its ingredients, your doctor will likely not prescribe haloperidol. They can tell you about medications that are safer options for you.

A mild allergic reaction may cause the following symptoms:

• skin rash
• itchiness
• flushing (temporary warmth, redness, or deepening of skin color)

A severe allergic reaction may cause the following symptoms:

• swelling under your skin, usually in your hands, feet, eyelids, or lips
• swelling of your mouth, throat, or tongue, which can cause breathing problems

If you have an allergic reaction to haloperidol, call your doctor right away. If you have severe symptoms, call 911 or a local emergency number.

Overdose of haloperidol

If you take haloperidol, you should not use more haloperidol than your doctor prescribes. For some drugs, doing so may lead to harmful effects or overdose.

If you think you’ve used too much haloperidol, call your doctor or pharmacist right away. Or you could call 800-222-1222 to speak with someone at America’s Poison Centers. You can also use its online resource. If you have concerning symptoms, call 911 or a local emergency number immediately. You can also go to the closest emergency room.

Pregnancy or breastfeeding and haloperidol

Information about haloperidol and pregnancy and breastfeeding is described below.

Haloperidol and pregnancy
There are risks to taking haloperidol during pregnancy. But there are also risks with having untreated mental health conditions while pregnant. (Keep in mind that haloperidol is used for managing some of these.)

If you’re planning a pregnancy or can become pregnant, talk with your doctor about treatment options for your condition during pregnancy. Together, you can discuss the risks and benefits of your treatment options and decide whether or not you should take haloperidol during pregnancy.

Haloperidol and breastfeeding

Haloperidol should not be used while breastfeeding. If you’re currently breastfeeding or planning to do so, talk with your doctor before using this medication. Your doctor may recommend other ways to feed your child during treatment with haloperidol.

What to ask your doctor

Let your doctor know if you have questions about haloperidol or would like more details about it.

Here’s a list of some possible questions you may want to ask your doctor:

• How can I switch from the haloperidol oral tablet to the haloperidol injection*?
• Will I have side effects if I stop taking haloperidol?
• Can I drink alcohol during treatment with haloperidol?
• Are there any drug interactions I should try to avoid when I’m taking haloperidol?

* A healthcare professional will give this as an injection into your muscle.

Resources

• Haloperidol decanoate- haloperidol decanoate injection. (2023). https://nctr-crs.fda.gov/fdalabel/services/spl/set-ids/f2d14406-2ad4-4c5b-9c24-a026f27b415d/spl-doc
• Haloperidol lactate- haloperidol lactate injection, solution. (2023). https://nctr-crs.fda.gov/fdalabel/services/spl/set-ids/4289f7db-e25d-4578-8adf-f0222ae64aa6/spl-doc
• Haloperidol- haloperidol solution. (2022). https://nctr-crs.fda.gov/fdalabel/services/spl/set-ids/b488c106-f1ee-4b7b-8516-01162fb929f7/spl-doc
• Haloperidol- haloperidol tablet. (2023). https://nctr-crs.fda.gov/fdalabel/services/spl/set-ids/746f3ab9-9e6e-4ce8-9384-0c7a57de8007/spl-doc
• Food and Drug Administration. (2023). Orange Book: Approved drug products with therapeutic equivalence evaluations. https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cder/ob/index.cfm
• Riboldi I, et al. (2022). Practical guidance for the use of long-acting injectable antipsychotics in the treatment of schizophrenia. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9809355/
• Zedkova I, et al. (2011). Onset of action of atypical and typical antipsychotics in the treatment of adolescent schizophrenic psychoses. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22167144/

Disclaimer: Optum Perks has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.