What is the use of Haloperidol (antipsychotic medication)?

From the Guidelines

Haloperidol is used as an antipsychotic medication to treat schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders.

Key Points

• Haloperidol can be used as a first-line treatment for schizophrenia, especially in low- and middle-income countries where availability and cost are concerns 1.
• The medication is effective in reducing psychotic symptoms, such as hallucinations and delusions, and can be used in combination with other antipsychotics in cases of treatment resistance 1.
• The typical dose of haloperidol for schizophrenia is 4-6 mg per day, although this may vary depending on the individual patient and their response to treatment 1.
• Haloperidol can cause extrapyramidal side effects, such as tremors and rigidity, especially at high doses, and anticholinergics may be used to prevent these side effects in some cases 1.
• Long-term use of haloperidol requires regular monitoring for side effects and consideration of alternative treatments, such as atypical antipsychotics, which may have a more favorable side effect profile 1.

Clinical Considerations

• Haloperidol should be used with caution in patients with a history of seizures, as it may lower the seizure threshold 1.
• The medication should also be used with caution in patients with cardiovascular disease, as it may cause orthostatic hypotension and other cardiovascular side effects 1.
• Haloperidol can interact with other medications, such as benzodiazepines and anticonvulsants, and these interactions should be carefully monitored in patients receiving combination therapy 1.

From the FDA Drug Label

Haloperidol tablets are indicated for use in the management of manifestations of psychotic disorders. Haloperidol tablets are indicated for the control of tics and vocal utterances of Tourette’s Disorder in children and adults Haloperidol tablets are effective for the treatment of severe behavior problems in children of combative, explosive hyperexcitability Haloperidol tablets are also effective in the short-term treatment of hyperactive children who show excessive motor activity with accompanying conduct disorders

The use of Haloperidol is for the management of:

• Psychotic disorders
• Tourette’s Disorder in children and adults
• Severe behavior problems in children
• Hyperactive children with conduct disorders 2

From the Research

Use of Haloperidol

• Haloperidol is a widely used antipsychotic medication for the treatment of schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders 3.
• It is used to alleviate positive symptoms of schizophrenia, such as hallucinations and delusions, and is also used to manage agitation and psychosis in patients with delirium 4, 5.
• Haloperidol can be administered orally or intravenously, and its efficacy and safety have been compared to other antipsychotic medications, including atypical antipsychotics such as risperidone, olanzapine, and quetiapine 6, 5.

Efficacy of Haloperidol

• Studies have shown that haloperidol is effective in reducing symptoms of schizophrenia and delirium, with similar efficacy to other antipsychotic medications 3, 5.
• Haloperidol has been shown to be more effective than chlorpromazine in reducing symptoms of schizophrenia, but may cause more movement disorders 6.
• The efficacy of haloperidol may be influenced by patient age, with older patients potentially responding poorly to treatment 5.

Safety of Haloperidol

• Haloperidol can cause side effects such as extrapyramidal symptoms, catatonia, and neuroleptic malignant syndrome, but these are relatively rare 4.
• Haloperidol may also cause QT prolongation and torsades de pointes, but the risk is considered low 4.
• The safety profile of haloperidol is similar to that of other antipsychotic medications, and it is considered a safe and effective treatment option for schizophrenia and delirium 3, 5.

Pharmacokinetics of Haloperidol

• Haloperidol is metabolized by the liver and is a substrate of cytochrome P450 3A4 7.
• Haloperidol can interact with other medications, such as carbamazepine and phenytoin, which can affect its pharmacokinetics and increase the risk of side effects 7.
• The pharmacokinetics of haloperidol may be influenced by genetic factors, such as polymorphic cytochrome P450 2D6 activity 7.