Haloperidol and Anxiety: What Users Say

• Pet...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• November 16, 2019

Haloperidol for Psychosis "My side effects of Haldol are restlessness and anxiety. The need to move is coupled with the desire not to. Muscle tension and tremors combined with the inability to walk correctly, heavy drooling at the mouth, nausea, and terrible constipation amounting to the inability to have a bowel movement, as well as the inability to urinate without sitting down. In addition, there is the inability to ejaculate."

• Mic...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 29, 2020

Haloperidol for Nausea/Vomiting "Sometime after my same-day surgery to treat a cancer tumor, I was given some unspecified amount of Haldol through my IV line. I was shocked when I heard I was given Haldol since it is known as an antipsychotic drug with very severe side effects. I had no idea it was ever used for the prevention of nausea and vomiting over all standards such as Zofran. Since I had the same procedure several weeks earlier, I was amazed to define the effects of what I thought was just the anesthesia were so much more severe. I had disorientation, restlessness, anxiety, memory problems, tiredness, sleepiness, constipation, and even some depression. I can only attribute the difference in my reaction to the use of Haldol. It's been about 48 hours since I was discharged from the hospital, and I still don't feel right. My advice to any patient who may be given this drug to treat/prevent nausea and vomiting is to request something else that's much safer. I would certainly never take this again."

• Fra...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 4, 2021

Haloperidol for Nausea/Vomiting "I was given IV Haldol in the ER yesterday along with Zofran, Decadron, and Benadryl for a migraine with nausea. I react terribly to Compazine and Reglan (I feel like I can’t stand being in my own skin, want to climb the walls, etc. Indescribable, really, but awful)! I specifically asked if there was any chance Haldol would cause a similar reaction and was assured it would not. It did. I’m still agitated, unable to sleep, and anxious this morning. I cannot wait until it wears off. Definitely not worth it."

• Bea...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 27, 2019

Haloperidol for Nausea/Vomiting "Take this medicine if you want the worst experience of your life! This caused extreme restlessness and anxiety. I felt like I couldn't move, and it was hard to talk. IV causes a more severe adverse reaction than IM or oral form. If you get these meds, make sure you are also given Benadryl, Cogentin, or a benzo to prevent these side effects! I was given Benadryl and Ativan, but they had to give me an extra dose of each because it wasn't helping enough."

• Man...
• January 23, 2019

Haloperidol for Nausea/Vomiting "I went to the ED for kidney pain and nausea. I have allergies to IV anti-nausea meds but can take them orally. They decided to give me 0.5 of Haldol intravenously. Something inside me was telling me NOT to allow this, but I was so nauseated, and they said it would help. I can take oral anti-nauseous meds, so I was confused as to why I was getting Haldol. The FDA hasn’t approved the intravenous use of Haldol in ER settings. Unfortunately, I found all of this out after the fact. Five minutes after being injected, I got hot flashes and a huge panic attack. Benadryl helped, but my pulse went to 180 bpm and slowly tapered down to 100 bpm-that’s where it stayed until this evening when I’m finally at a normal 86 bpm. It’s been two days, and I’m still feeling agitated and anxious. My advice to anyone being offered Haldol: if an ER doc wants to try to see if it works for you-say no, ask for something safer!"

• Lys...
• May 25, 2017

Haloperidol for Nausea/Vomiting "Was given this in the ER for nausea. It killed the nausea, sure, but I was so anxious! I felt as though if I stayed in that hospital bed another second, I was going to go crazy. When I was released, I raced home and took Xanax to try and combat the anxiety. It's been about 26 hours since I was injected, and I still have the urge to move and run around, like restless leg syndrome. I'd rather just be nauseous!"

• Key...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 3, 2019

For Psychosis "I'm taking this med, haloperidol, for just 1 week and a dose of just 0.5 mg daily, but I decided to stop immediately. Why? Because I can't sleep at night, I'm restless and anxious. These side effects are really annoying, and they disturb my daily life balance. I don't know why a doctor would want to put this in someone's body. Don't take this drug if you can use other drugs and options. That's my opinion."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 13, 2017

Haloperidol for Nausea/Vomiting "Went to the ER after experiencing chest pain following advice from my surgery nurse. While being there, I mentioned being slightly nauseous. I am extremely allergic to most anti-nausea medications, going into anaphylactic shock, so I was given Haldol. Immediately after injection, my heart began beating faster and my anxiety level flew off the chart. Every muscle in my body wanted to move and spasm, I was practically vibrating in the bed. Seeing as it was only days after having my abdomen cut into, it was pretty intense. It was the closest I have ever felt to being out of my mind. I had to be given another medication to counteract the effect of the Haldol in my system."

• Bip...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• February 21, 2016

Haloperidol for Psychosis "Very, very effective. Would recommend. Helpful medicine for psychosis and mania. Helps with delusions, paranoia, and voices, and all that comes with a psychotic episode. Only downside is a feeling of anxiety and having to move around and can't sit still for too long when on this med, but it is a very effective medication."

• Cya...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 9, 2021

Haloperidol for Mania "Was given this crappy drug last summer at the hospital in the psych ward, and everyone was terrified of me! I got an injection, so I had to go through a MONTH of this horror. I had insanely slurred speech, my voice sounded more high-pitched and tired, I slept ALL DAY, I had terrible akathisia, night terrors, nobody wanted me around, I was more anxious than usual, and I wanted to die for relief. The side effects wore off completely 20 days after I took it on the first of August 2020. Never taking this drug again. I’m on Zoloft and Valium right now, so much better. As for this crap, 0/10. Smh."

• 777...
• August 19, 2017

Haloperidol for Nausea/Vomiting "Still felt nauseous after being given this drug after surgery. I woke up extremely sick and vomiting. This was the third drug given to help combat these effects. I didn't know I'd been given it, but my heart started racing and concerned the nursing staff, and their concern made me anxious. I was so scared and paranoid about what was happening to me, which I later found out was all because of this drug. They ended up flushing it out of my system."

• 777...
• August 19, 2017

Haloperidol for Nausea/Vomiting "Still felt nauseous after being given this drug after surgery. I woke up extremely sick and vomiting. This was the third drug given to help combat these effects. I didn't know I'd been given it, but my heart started racing and concerned the nursing staff, and their concern made me anxious. I was so scared and paranoid about what was happening to me, which I later found out was all because of this drug. They ended up flushing it out of my system."

• Eri...
• March 27, 2022

Haloperidol for Nausea/Vomiting "Given an injection of this for nausea/vomiting. Caused pure terror. Wanted to crawl out of my skin. One of the worst feelings I’ve ever had. Felt like I was truly losing my mind. Would not recommend under any circumstance."

• Eri...
• March 27, 2022

Haloperidol for Nausea/Vomiting "Given an injection of this for nausea/vomiting. Caused pure terror. Wanted to crawl out of my skin. One of the worst feelings I’ve ever had. Felt like I was truly losing my mind. Would not recommend under any circumstance."

• Lau...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 22, 2020

For Psychosis "Okay, I’m 24 years old, and I’m usually on Zoloft, Depakote, and Ativan (as needed), but in July, I had a psychotic episode where I had to get sent to the hospital for about a week. Before I left, they injected me with this, and I immediately felt unusually calm and relaxed, but the next day I started slobbering, drooling all over my shirt, stuttering, which I never do, not talking clearly, SLEEPING ALL DAY. I felt restless, anxious, hopeless, and depressed, and these side effects lasted for about 23 days. It felt like heaven when it wore off, and I felt like my normal self again. My mom wants me to get put on Haldol again, but I refused and told the doctor I’d rather be put on something else, and they agreed. Never again will I use this medication. Sure, being sleepy and slobbering is “better” than having a psychotic episode, but this medication sucks. 1/10"

• Ano...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• November 22, 2015

For Psychosis "Was on this med for about 30 years. This medication is supposed to only be a temporary fix for anger, paranoia, etc. I took it long term and have permanent damage to my brain and nervous system! It is an old drug first used in 1958! There are so many other options out there now. Don't get started on this drug. You will become dependent on it and will not be able to stop taking it. When I take it, I get really paranoid and have anxiety attacks. I can't sit still and pace all day. The worst thing about it is my mom remembers me taking it when I was 16, and it used to work well for me. Now I am 51 and don't need it anymore. I smoked some weed when I was 16 that was laced with PCP. The doctor said the PCP gets in your brain and could take decades."

• mmm...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 15, 2023

Haloperidol for Nausea/Vomiting "Was given for nausea that didn’t respond to Zofran. Almost immediately after the IM injection, I became drowsy and agitated and had such bad anxiety I felt like I needed to leave the hospital. I was up all night with muscle twitches and anxiety, I couldn’t stop pacing. Ended up going back to the hospital for Ativan and Benadryl, and I was told my reaction was a common reaction to Haldol. It took me days to feel back to normal. I’d rather be sick than take this ever again!"

• Roc...
• January 6, 2021

Haloperidol for Nausea/Vomiting "Was in for laparoscopy procedure and was very nauseous after the surgery. Initial treatment with Zofran wasn’t helpful, so they then injected Haldol to relieve the emesis and nausea. It made me feel drowsy and restless at the same time. I can’t tell if I’m thankful it helped as an antiemetic or if I absolutely hate it because of the restless legs, anxious, crawling out of my skin feelings. It made resting and sleep very difficult after a really long day at the hospital. My advice: see if the doctor has exhausted all other medications/solutions first! The side effects may make you regret taking it."

• hal...
• July 5, 2016

For Psychosis "I am doing good while on Haldol, still a bit of anxiety, but I can cope. It is way more controlled now. Not sure I will ever be not sick. I am taking 20 drops in the morning and 10 in the midday, 5 mg pill before night. My sleep is very good, no dreams. That is a huge step with controlling my PTSD. I feel good during the day and can function. Only downside, I'm a bit of a hermit, do not really want to leave my house. In all, I think a good drug for those who need it."

• Cor...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 18, 2020

For Aggressive Behavior "I’m 22, and in July, I went to the hospital for extreme destructive and aggressive behavior due to my bipolar and schizophrenia. I stayed in the mental health unit for 8 days, and before I left, they injected me with Haldol, which I started feeling very calm, which is perfectly fine for me because Ativan makes me calm, and I thought Haldol was the same. But I had the WORST month of my life! I was insanely sleepy, I slept up to 9 times a day, was very anxious, very restless. I had extreme slurred speech where people couldn’t make out what I was saying, I was slobbering and drooling. Then one night, I had a panic attack so bad that I was hyperventilating, sweating, screaming, vomiting, hitting my head, so I went to the hospital again, and they gave me a shot of Benadryl and Ativan, and the side effects of Haldol slowly went away. When I got discharged in the morning, I felt like me again. I'm on Zyprexa, Zoloft, and Depakote now."

• Ano...
• July 10, 2018

For Nausea/Vomiting "Used for stomach pain in ER. It's been almost 24 hours since I've had the medication through an IV for severe stomach cramping, which sent me to the ER in the first place. I'm debating on whether or not to go back tonight since it's made me so restless and anxious. Awful medication, would not recommend this to anyone."

• Tjt...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 28, 2017

For Psychosis "I was prescribed handily in the psych ward, and after receiving a shot, I felt very relaxed. Unfortunately, the oral pill form isn't the same. I immediately get stiff and anxious to the point that my neck and shoulders were in complete spasms. The doctor had to order another shot to counteract that and also gave me a muscle relaxer. All in all, I felt like my heart was beating out of my chest, and I couldn't relax at all."

• Jc2...
• May 2, 2018

For Psychosis "I was extremely irritable, anxious, and delusional. I still have delusions but have only been taking it for 1 day. I feel better, much less obsessive about the odd thoughts I was having. My sleep is also back on track, as it was all over the place. Hopefully, the longer I take it, the better it gets, but so far, I'm feeling much better overnight."

• Hal...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 28, 2021

For Psychosis "I went to the ER to be seen for severe stomach pain and nausea. That's when I was sent back to my room and was given a shot of haldol in my arm. The first 10 minutes were fine except I felt very sleepy. Then I felt suddenly anxious and restless. I wanted to get out of the hospital immediately, and I mentally felt different. I didn't feel like myself and had a very short attention span (almost none). I was generally uncomfortable and felt like it was torture. DO NOT TAKE THIS! I don't know what is in it, but it made me feel horrible, and I wouldn't wish it upon anyone."

• Ter...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 27, 2021

"I was given 5 mg through an IV of Haldol for panic attacks on a Saturday night around 4 pm. Immediately felt like I needed to crawl out of my skin. I came home after the hospital let me leave, and I could not stay still. I felt so agitated and uncomfortable. I literally felt crazy. I finally fell asleep. I was out from 7 pm till 7 am the next morning. When I woke up, I wasn't able to open my eyes, and I had a dying desire to pace back and forth later that night, Sunday. I was able to open my eyes again, but all day Monday, I paced back and forth nonstop. Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday, I had TERRIBLE anxiety, waking up at 4 am unable to sleep at all, and could not sit still. My mind was racing 100 miles an hour. It's now Wednesday, and the side effects are finally starting to wear off. I've been drinking a lot of water, taking vitamins B6, C, and D, hoping it leaves my system soon. This drug should literally be illegal. It is absolutely terrible and should not be given to anyone."