Haloperidol
Also sold as: Serenace, Haldol
Usual adult dose
Dose is set by your doctor. Common tablet doses are 0.5 mg to 5 mg two or three times a day. Injections are given only by a health worker.
Your doctor may give you a different dose. Children's doses depend on weight.
Side effects
Common
- stiffness
- shaking
- restlessness
- slow movements
- drowsiness
Serious — get help
Stop taking it and see a doctor straight away if you notice:
- high fever with stiff muscles and confusion
- fast or irregular heartbeat
- fainting
- uncontrolled movements of the face or tongue
Do not take it, or take care, if
- Parkinson's disease
- Severe drowsiness or coma
- Heart rhythm problems (long QT)
- Older people with dementia (higher risk of stroke and death)
- Epilepsy (use with caution)
Interactions
Medicines that can react with this one.
Serious4 medicinesDo not take these together unless your doctor says so.
- Amiodarone
Both prolong the QT interval and can cause dangerous heart rhythms.
- Levodopa + Carbidopa
Haloperidol blocks the effect of levodopa and can worsen Parkinson symptoms.
- Metoclopramide
Together they greatly increase the risk of movement disorders and neuroleptic malignant syndrome.
- Moxifloxacin
Both prolong the QT interval; avoid together.
Moderate3 medicinesTake together only with care. Ask your doctor or pharmacist.
- Carbamazepine
Carbamazepine lowers haloperidol levels, so it may work less well.
- Citalopram
Both can prolong the QT interval; heart rhythm should be watched.
- Lithium carbonate
Rarely the combination causes confusion and nerve toxicity; watch closely.