by Dr. Manura Nanayakkara

Created on: September 09, 2010

Haloperidol is an old and popular antipsychotic prescribed in schizophrenia, psychoses, bipolar mania; and Tourette syndrome. It is also used in disturbed psychiatric patients. It is in the group butyrophenones. Common brand name available in the market is Haldol®.

Main side effects are dry mouth, sedation and abnormal movements called extrapyramidal symptoms. Haloperidol is available as tablets and injections.

This medication affects number of receptors in human body, including Dopamine receptors, Histamine receptors and Muscarinic cholinergic Receptors. Various psychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia are caused by dopamine imbalance in the brain. Haloperidol corrects that imbalance by way of blocking several dopamine receptors in certain brain regions.

Psychiatric use

This is the main use of this drug. Although newer medications have fewer side effects, it is as effective as newer anti psychotics except Clozapine. Even though, this is one of the oldest anti-psychotic some psychiatrists still using this drug on their patients, because of its proven efficacy. This drug mainly improves Positive symptoms in patients. They are severe behavioral disturbances, Hearing Voices, and Aggression. It has less activity on the negative features like apathy, muteness, and social withdrawal, especially in long term schizophrenia.

Patients with schizophrenia need to take this drug for longer duration, even in between episodes to prevent recurrence and to prevent progression of the disease. Once on this medication, patients should not stop it without medical advice.

This medication is used as an intramuscular injection in disturbed and aggressive psychiatric patients. It sedate and calm them down.

Bipolar mania

This medication is also used as in symptomatic treatment of mania in bipolar affective disorder. This medication is also used in patients with severe acute anxiety, violent and dangerously impulsive patients. Injection form is used to control patients that are severely disturbed.

It is important to note that significant improvement in psychiatric symptoms occur, after taking this drug as prescribed for at least two to three weeks.

Use as an Anti-emetic medication.

Haloperidol is also used as an effective anti-emetic agent. Especially in patients with terminal illnesses like cancer. This is effective in terminal illnesses, because it has additional calming properties.

Use in children

This medication is also used in a condition called Gilles de la Tourette syndrome. It is an inherited childhood disorder. It is characterized by tics and vocal tics. Some patients even utter dirty words (socially objectionable or taboo words or phrases).

Haloperidol is also indicated in severe behavioral disturbances in children including explosive hyperactive behavior and conduct disorders.

Sources

British National Formulary

AHFS Drug Information

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