$Unique_ID{BRK01976}
$Pretitle{}
$Title{HALOPERIDOL}
$Subject{Haldol (McNeil)
haloperidol (various manufacturers)}
$Volume{}
$Log{
Haldol*0197601.scf}

Copyright (C) 1991 Publications International, Ltd.


HALOPERIDOL
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BRAND NAMES (Manufacturers):
     Haldol (McNeil)
     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 concentrate form of this medication should be measured carefully
with the dropper provided, then added to four ounces ( 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 possible; 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 medication can decrease the effectiveness of guanethidine and
anticonvulsants (antiseizure medications).
     3. The blood-pressure-lowering effects of antihypertensive medications
may be dangerously increased by haloperidol.
     4. Haloperidol may increase the side effects of epinephrine, lithium, and
methyldopa.
     5. It is important to note that tea or coffee can reduce the
gastrointestinal absorption of haloperidol, decreasing its effectiveness.
Therefore, haloperidol should not be taken within an hour of drinking tea or
coffee (before or after).
     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 medicines 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, 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) medication 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.
     * 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.

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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.
