Known brand names include Haldol.
A first-generation (typical) antipsychotic given as tablets or as an IM injection for rapid control of severe agitation in schizophrenia. It also controls tics in Tourette's disorder. Movement side effects are common, and it can cause dangerous heart rhythms and neuroleptic malignant syndrome.
The labels do not describe a narrow therapeutic index or direct dosing by measured blood levels of the drug.
Increased mortality in elderly patients with dementia-related psychosis. Antipsychotic-treated older adults with dementia had about 1.6 to 1.7 times the risk of death of placebo patients, mostly from cardiovascular causes or infections. Haloperidol is not approved for dementia-related psychosis.
No specific antidote; care is supportive. Secure the airway and ventilate, treat hypotension with IV fluids and phenylephrine or norepinephrine (never epinephrine), give antiparkinson medicine for severe extrapyramidal reactions, and monitor the ECG for QT prolongation until normal. Dialysis removes very little.
Doses come from the FDA label. Study tool, not for clinical decisions.
Not studied. Levels may rise because the liver mainly metabolizes it and protein binding may fall.
Sources: [1]
A first-generation (high-potency) antipsychotic. Its mechanism is unclear; efficacy may come from antagonism of central dopamine D2 receptors. It binds alpha-1 adrenergic receptors with lower affinity and has minimal muscarinic or H1 binding. D2 blockade in the nigrostriatal pathway explains extrapyramidal effects, and in the pituitary it raises prolactin. It is mainly metabolized by the liver.