What does haloperidol do

Unfortunately, all of the drugs used to treat psychosis carry some risk for side effects. Choosing a medication to treat psychosis is often a process of choosing which side effects you are most able to tolerate. Haldol side effects may range from mild to severe, with some side effects requiring immediate medical attention. It's essential that you let your doctor know if you have any physical changes that concern you while taking the medication.

There are several less serious side effects that people may experience while using Haldol. Though these side effects are not an emergency and don't usually mean that you need to stop the medication, talk to your doctor if you find them bothersome.

There are sometimes measures you can take to manage these side effects. Less common mild side effects include:. Some of the following side effects may be less serious, but should prompt you to call your doctor as soon as possible. Less common serious side effects include:. Rare but serious side effects:. There are some side effects of Haldol that while uncommon, are potentially extremely serious. If you note any of these side effects, stop taking Haldol and seek help immediately.

In the case of some of these side effects, such as seizures, you may be unable to call yourself. Make sure that your friends and loved ones know about these possible side effects and to call for help if they should see you experiencing any of them. Potential emergency side effects include:. Haldol can cause a movement disorder called tardive dyskinesia. This disorder is thought to occur due to an increased brain sensitivity to the neurotransmitter dopamine.

Signs of tardive dyskinesia include fine, worm-like movements of the tongue, or other uncontrolled movements of the mouth, tongue, cheeks, jaw, or arms and legs. These symptoms may not go away after you stop taking the drug.

Unfortunately, this side effect common with long-term use. Research shows that other drugs for bipolar disorder may not have as great a risk of tardive dyskinesia as Haldol. However, they do carry their own risks. If you're concerned about your risk, talk to your doctor about your medication options.

You may wish to go over the alternative medications that are available and determine which ones have a side effect profile that you find would be more tolerable for you. For those who need to take Haldol, research is in progress looking at methods of decreasing the risk of tardive dyskinesia. Symptoms may include rigidity and the inability to walk and talk. For people with low potassium or magnesium: Having low potassium or magnesium levels and taking haloperidol may increase your risk of cardiovascular side effects.

These include Q—T syndrome and an irregular heart rate called torsades de pointes, which can be fatal. For pregnant women: There are no well-controlled studies with haloperidol in pregnant women.

You should only use haloperidol during pregnancy if the potential benefit outweighs the potential risk to the fetus. For women who are breastfeeding: Avoid breastfeeding while taking haloperidol.

Haloperidol passes through breast milk and may harm your child. For seniors: The effects of haloperidol in people aged 65 years and older may be much stronger. Seniors are more at risk for a side effect called tardive dyskinesia. This condition can cause movement disorders of your mouth and legs. Women who have been taking this medication for a long time are at higher risk. All possible dosages and forms may not be included here. Your dose, form, and how often you take it will depend on:.

After your body reaches the desired response, your dosage should be gradually lowered to the lowest possible dosage that works for you. After reaching the desired response, the dose should be gradually lowered to the lowest possible dose that works.

However, because drugs affect each person differently, we cannot guarantee that this list includes all possible dosages. Always speak with your doctor or pharmacist about dosages that are right for you. Haloperidol is used for short-term or long-term treatment.

If you take too much: You could have dangerous levels of the drug in your body. Symptoms of an overdose of this drug can include:. But if your symptoms are severe, call or go to the nearest emergency room right away. What to do if you miss a dose: If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you can.

Never try to catch up by taking a double dose. This could result in dangerous side effects. How to tell if the drug is working: You should have fewer symptoms of your condition. A prescription for this medication is refillable. Your doctor will write the number of refills authorized on your prescription. Your doctor may perform tests to check your health and make sure this drug is working for you. These include:. Haloperidol can make you more sensitive to the sun. Keep out of the sun. Not every pharmacy stocks this drug.

When filling your prescription, be sure to call ahead to make sure your pharmacy carries it. Many insurance companies require a prior authorization for this drug. This means your doctor will need to get approval from your insurance company before your insurance company will pay for the prescription.

There are other drugs available to treat your condition. Some may be better suited for you than others. Talk to your doctor about other drug options that may work for you. Disclaimer: Healthline 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 other 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.

TD symptoms include slow or jerky movements that one cannot control, often starting in the mouth with tongue rolling or chewing movements. Temperature regulation: Impaired core body temperature regulation may occur; caution with strenuous exercise, heat exposure, and dehydration.

All antipsychotics have been associated with the risk of sudden cardiac death due to an arrhythmia irregular heart beat. To minimize this risk, antipsychotic medications should be used in the smallest effective dose when the benefits outweigh the risks. Your doctor may order an EKG to monitor for irregular heartbeat.

Symptoms include confusion, fever, extreme muscle stiffness, and sweating. If any of these symptoms occur, contact your healthcare provider immediately. All antipsychotics can cause sedation, dizziness, or orthostatic hypotension a drop in blood pressure when standing up from sitting or lying down. These side effects may lead to falls which could cause bone fractures or other injuries. This risk is higher for people with conditions or other medications that could worsen these effects.

If falls or any of these symptoms occur, contact your healthcare provider. Tardive dyskinesia TD is a side effect that develops with prolonged use of antipsychotics. If you develop symptoms of TD, such as grimacing, sucking, and smacking of lips, or other movements that you cannot control, contact your healthcare provider immediately. All patients taking either first or second generation antipsychotics should have an Abnormal Involuntary Movement Scale AIMS completed regularly by their healthcare provider to monitor for TD.

Haloperidol may lower your blood pressure. Medications used to lower blood pressure may increase this effect and increase your risk of falling. It is very important to tell your doctor how you feel things are going during the first few weeks after you start taking haloperidol. It will probably take several weeks to see big enough changes in your symptoms to decide if haloperidol is the right medication for you.

Antipsychotic treatment is generally needed lifelong for persons with schizophrenia. Your doctor can best discuss the duration of treatment you need based on your symptoms and illness. Last Updated: January This information is being provided as a community outreach effort of the College of Psychiatric and Neurologic Pharmacists. This information is for educational and informational purposes only and is not medical advice. This information contains a summary of important points and is not an exhaustive review of information about the medication.

Always seek the advice of a physician or other qualified medical professional with any questions you may have regarding medications or medical conditions.

Never delay seeking professional medical advice or disregard medical professional advice as a result of any information provided herein. The College of Psychiatric and Neurologic Pharmacists disclaims any and all liability alleged as a result of the information provided herein.

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