Haldol

Haldol is used for:

Treating schizophrenia. It is also used to control symptoms associated with Tourette disorder. It also may be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor.

Haldol is an antipsychotic agent. Exactly how it works is not known, but it may work by blocking certain chemicals in the brain.

Do NOT use Haldol if:

• you are allergic to any ingredient in Haldol
• you are in a coma, have Parkinson disease, or have severe central nervous system depression
• you are taking dofetilide, an H₁ antagonist (eg, astemizole, terfenadine), or sodium oxybate (GHB)

Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.

Before using Haldol :

Some medical conditions may interact with Haldol . Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:

• if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding
• if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement
• if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances
• if you have the blood disease porphyria, electrolyte problems (eg, low blood magnesium, low blood potassium), or a history of dementia, Alzheimer disease, seizures, or thyroid problems
• if you have heart problems or irregular heartbeat (eg, QT prolongation), or if a member of your family has a history of these conditions

Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Haldol . Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:

• Cisapride, dofetilide, H₁ antagonists (eg, astemizole, terfenadine), macrolides or ketolides (eg, erythromycin, telithromycin), phenothiazines (eg, thioridazine), or pimozide because the risk of serious heart-related side effects may be increased
• Lithium because the risk of unexpected toxic effects, including weakness, severe tiredness, confusion, or unusual muscle movements, may be increased
• Rifampin because it may decrease Haldol 's effectiveness.
• Carbamazepine because side effects of Haldol may be increased or the effectiveness of Haldol may be decreased
• Anticoagulants (eg, warfarin) or sodium oxybate (GHB) because their actions and the risk of their side effects may be increased by Haldol

This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Haldol may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.

How to use Haldol :

Use Haldol as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.

• Haldol is usually given as an injection at your doctor's office, hospital, or clinic. If you will be using Haldol at home, a health care provider will teach you how to use it. Be sure you understand how to use Haldol . Follow the procedures you are taught when you use a dose. Contact your health care provider if you have any questions.
• Do not use Haldol if it contains particles, is cloudy or discolored, or if the vial is cracked or damaged.
• Keep this product, as well as syringes and needles, out of the reach of children and pets. Do not reuse needles, syringes, or other materials. Ask your health care provider how to dispose of these materials after use. Follow all local rules for disposal.
• If you miss a dose of Haldol , use it as soon as possible. Use the remaining doses for the day at evenly spaced intervals. Do not take 2 doses at once.

Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Haldol .

Important safety information:

• Haldol may cause drowsiness, dizziness, or blurred vision. These effects may be worse if you take it with alcohol or certain medicines. Use Haldol with caution. Do not drive or perform other possibly unsafe tasks until you know how you react to it.
• Do not drink alcohol or use medicines that may cause drowsiness (eg, sleep aids, muscle relaxers) while you are using Haldol ; it may add to their effects. Ask your pharmacist if you have questions about which medicines may cause drowsiness.
• Do NOT use more than the recommended dose without checking with your doctor.
• Haldol may cause you to become sunburned more easily. Avoid the sun, sunlamps, or tanning booths until you know how you react to Haldol . Use a sunscreen or wear protective clothing if you must be outside for more than a short time.
• Do not become overheated in hot weather or while you are being active; heatstroke may occur.
• Tell your doctor or dentist that you take Haldol before you receive any medical or dental care, emergency care, or surgery.
• Neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS) is a possibly fatal syndrome that can be caused by Haldol . Symptoms may include fever; stiff muscles; confusion; abnormal thinking; fast or irregular heartbeat; and sweating. Contact your doctor at once if you have any of these symptoms.
• Some patients who take Haldol may develop muscle movements that they cannot control. This is more likely to happen in elderly patients, especially women. The chance that this will happen or that it will become permanent is greater in those who take Haldol in higher doses or for a long time. Muscle problems may also occur after short-term treatment with low doses. Tell your doctor at once if you have muscle problems with your arms; legs; or your tongue, face, mouth, or jaw (eg, tongue sticking out, puffing of cheeks, mouth puckering, chewing movements) while taking Haldol .
• Diabetes patients - Haldol may affect your blood sugar. Check blood sugar levels closely. Ask your doctor before you change the dose of your diabetes medicine.
• Haldol may rarely cause a prolonged, painful erection. This could happen even when you are not having sex. If this is not treated right away, it could lead to permanent sexual problems such as impotence. Contact your doctor right away if this happens.
• Use Haldol with caution in the ELDERLY; they may be more sensitive to its effects.
• Haldol should not be used in CHILDREN younger than 3 years old; safety and effectiveness in these children have not been confirmed.
• PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: If you become pregnant, contact your doctor. You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of using Haldol while you are pregnant. Haldol is found in breast milk. Do not breast-feed while taking Haldol .

Possible side effects of Haldol :

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:

Blurred vision; constipation; diarrhea; dizziness; drowsiness; dry mouth; headache; loss of appetite; nausea; stomach upset; trouble sleeping.

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); confusion; decreased urination; difficulty speaking or swallowing; drooling; excessive or unusual sweating; fainting; fast or irregular heartbeat; fever; hallucinations; mental or mood changes (eg, abnormal thinking, agitation, anxiety, depression); prolonged, painful erection; rigid or stiff muscles; seizures; severe or persistent dizziness, headache, or vomiting; shuffling walk; uncontrolled muscle movements (eg, of the arms, legs, tongue, jaw, cheeks; tremors; twitching); vision problems or changes; yellowing of skin or eyes.

This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your health care provider. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088. You may also report side effects at http://www.fda.gov/medwatch.

If OVERDOSE is suspected:

Contact 1-800-222-1222 (the American Association of Poison Control Centers), your local poison control center (http://www.aapcc.org), or emergency room immediately. Symptoms may include agitation; muscle rigidity, tremor, or weakness; rapid or irregular pulse; slow or shallow breathing; unusual drowsiness or deep sleep; very dry mouth.

Store Haldol at room temperature, between 59 and 86 degrees F (15 and 30 degrees C). Store away from heat, moisture, and light. Do not store in the bathroom. Do not freeze. Keep Haldol out of the reach of children and away from pets.

General information:

• If you have any questions about Haldol , please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
• Haldol is to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people.
• If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor.

This information is a summary only. It does not contain all information about Haldol . If you have questions about the medicine you are taking or would like more information, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.

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