Haloperidol (Haldol)
About Haloperidol
Haloperidol (brand name Haldol) is an antipsychotic medication used to treat schizophrenia. It is also used to control certain symptoms associated with Tourette’s disorder.
Haloperidol is a butyropherone derivative with antipsychotic properties that has been considered particularly effective in the management of hyperactivity, agitation, and mania. Haloperidol is an effective neuroleptic and also possesses antiemetic properties; it has a marked tendency to provoke extrapyramidal effects and has relatively weak alpha-adrenolytic properties. It may also exhibit hypothermic and anorexiant effects and potentiate the action of barbiturates, general anesthetics, and other CNS depressant drugs
Haloperidol is a butyrophenone antipsychotic which blocks postsynaptic mesolimbic dopaminergic D1 and D2 receptors in the brain; depresses the release of hypothalamic and hypophyseal hormones; believed to depress the reticular activating system thus affecting basal metabolism, body temperature, wakefulness, vasomotor tone, and emesis.
This medication acts on the part of the brain called the hypothalamus. It affects the areas of the hypothalamus that control metabolism, body temperature, alertness, muscle tone, hormone balance, and vomiting.
Haldol is a high potency antipsychotic medication (also called neuroleptics or major tranquilizers) used to alleviate agitation and psychosis, usually in schizophrenia. Antipsychotic medications work by blocking the neurotransmitter dopamine in the brain. By changing the flow of dopamine, medications can reverse some of the symptoms of schizophrenia.
Usual Side Effects
- Drowsiness
- Blurred vision
- Dry mouth
- Dizziness
- Constipation
- Raised or lowered blood pressure
- Weight gain
- Diarrhea
- Fatigue
Rare Side Effects
- Jaundice
- Tardive dyskinesia
- Skin rash
- Vomiting
- Drooling
- Irregular heartbeat
- Trouble breathing
- headache
- Sweating
Dosages
The recommended dosage for controlling symptoms of Tourette’s syndrome and other non-psychotic disorders is between 0.075 and 0.05 mg for every 2.2 lbs of body weight per day. The total dosage is usually divided into two or three administrations per day. The goal of therapy is to use the smallest amount of haloperidol that will control symptoms. Children under age three should not take this drug.
Haloperidol and Tourette Syndrome
Haldol is known as the last resort for Tourette. It is effective for up to 80% of people who use it for the treatment of tics, but if you follow up on these people, only 12% continue on the medication because of its very high side-effect profile. From reading the forums there are some success stories with Haldol but they are very rare.
Personal expierence
None
If you have any experience with Haloperidol (Haldol) please register (its free), Login and add to this blog by posting a comment below. You must login to post a comment