Have you or someone you know been prescribed a medication called Haloperidol by a doctor? When that happens, it's normal for you to have a lot of questions about what this medication is, what it's for, and how to use it. Don't worry, today we'll talk about this medication in a very simple way that you can understand.
What is Haloperidol?
Simply put, haloperidol is a medication used to treat several mental health conditions. It usually comes in the form of a solution. Doctors mainly prescribe it for the following conditions:
- Treat mental illnesses like schizophrenia .
- Manage the symptoms of Tourette's disorder , a condition in which body parts move involuntarily and make sounds without control.
- For severe behavioral problems in young children . But this is only given if other treatments have not worked.
Now you might be wondering how this medicine controls these things. There is a chemical in our brain called dopamine . This helps a lot in regulating our mood, behavior and thoughts. In some mental illnesses, this dopamine level becomes unbalanced. Haloperidol works by rebalancing that dopamine level. This medicine belongs to a class of medicines called antipsychotics .
Things you need to tell your doctor before taking this medicine
Before starting this medication, it is extremely important to give your doctor a complete description of your health condition. Because, if you have certain medical conditions, you need to be very careful while using this medication. Therefore, if you have any of the conditions below, tell your doctor about it before prescribing the medication.
| Situation / Habit | What you need to inform |
|---|---|
| Medical conditions | Memory impairments such as dementia, diabetes, swallowing difficulties, muscle control difficulties, heart disease, a history of irregular heartbeat, liver disease, Parkinson's disease, seizures, thyroid disease, lung or respiratory disease (e.g. asthma). |
| Blood problems | Blood problems, such as low white blood cells, red blood cells, or platelets. Low potassium or magnesium levels in the blood. |
| Habits | If you are a frequent drinker, be sure to mention it. |
| Allergies | If you have an allergy to haloperidol or any other medicine, food, or dye. |
| Special occasions | If you are pregnant, trying to get pregnant, or breastfeeding. |
How should I use the medicine?
It is very important to follow the exact instructions for using this medicine.
- This is an oral medication. Take it exactly as prescribed by your doctor, at the right time.
- Shake the bottle well before use.
- You will be given a specially marked dropper to measure the medicine. Use only that. Do not use household teaspoons or syrup measuring cups , as they will not give you an accurate measurement.
- Do not suddenly stop taking the medicine without your doctor's advice.
- This medicine can be prescribed for some conditions even to children as young as 3 years old. However, only a doctor can make that decision.
Warning: If you have any suspicion that you have taken more than the prescribed dose, immediately call the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital . Otherwise, go to the Emergency Treatment Unit (ETU) of the nearest hospital without delay.
What to do if you miss a dose of medication?
If you forget to take a dose, take it as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose at the scheduled time. Do not take two doses at once to make up for a missed dose.
Other things that may interact with this medicine
Other medications you take may interact with haloperidol, so it is important to tell your doctor about all the medications you are taking (including vitamins and herbal remedies).
| Do not take this medicine with anything. | |
|---|---|
| Cisapride | Dronedarone |
| Metoclopramide | Pimozide |
| Thioridazine | |
| These things can also cause problems - ask the doctor | |
| |
Things to keep in mind when taking medication
- Drowsiness and dizziness: This medicine may make you feel drowsy, dizzy, or have blurred vision. Therefore, do not drive or operate machinery until you know how this medicine affects you.
- Avoid getting up too quickly: Don't get up from a sitting position or out of bed suddenly. Especially if you are elderly. Doing so can cause dizziness and you may fall. Get up slowly.
- Avoid alcohol: Drinking alcohol can make you feel more sleepy and dizzy. So avoid alcohol completely while taking the medication.
- Dry mouth: Dry mouth is a common side effect of this medication. This can be managed by chewing sugar-free gum, sucking on sugar-free candy, and drinking plenty of water.
- Body temperature: This medicine may affect the body's ability to regulate temperature. This means that the body's ability to tolerate extreme cold and extreme heat may be reduced. Therefore, wear warm clothes on very cold days. Avoid sunlight on very hot days, and drink plenty of water.
- Sun sensitivity: This medication may make your skin more sensitive to sunlight. So limit your exposure to the sun. If you do, wear clothing that covers your skin and use sunscreen.
Side effects that may occur due to medication
Like any medication, haloperidol can have side effects. Some are serious, some are common. It's important to be aware of these.
| Serious side effects that should be reported to the doctor immediately | |
|---|---|
| Allergies | Skin rash, itching, swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat. |
| Changes in heart rate | Fast or irregular heartbeat, dizziness, chest pain, difficulty breathing. |
| Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome (NMS) | Symptoms include high fever, muscle stiffness, excessive sweating, and confusion. This is a very serious condition. |
| Extrapyramidal Symptoms (EPS) | Uncontrolled movements of body parts (especially the face, mouth), muscle stiffness or tremors, restlessness, difficulty walking. |
| Other serious symptoms | Signs of infection (fever, sore throat), low blood pressure and dizziness, seizures, difficulty urinating. |
| If it persists or is bothersome, tell your doctor. | |
| |
How should I store the medicine?
- Keep out of reach of children.
- Store at room temperature (between 20-25 degrees Celsius). Do not store in the fridge.
- Protect from light. Keep the bottle cap tightly closed.
- Throw away expired medicine.
Take-Home Message
- Haloperidol is a medication that should only be used under the supervision of a doctor.
- Always use only the special dropper that comes with the medicine to measure it. Do not use household spoons.
- Tell your doctor about all other medications you take and any illnesses you have.
- Do not stop using the medicine suddenly without medical advice.
- Avoid driving until your body gets used to the medication, as drowsiness and dizziness may occur.
- If you notice anything that seems like a serious side effect, don't delay and call your doctor immediately.
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