haloperidol

Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you have

• liver disease or other problems with your liver;

• kidney disease;

• heart disease or other heart problems such as high blood pressure, a history of a heart attack, or irregular heartbeats;

• seizures or epilepsy;

• an enlarged prostate or difficulty urinating; or

• glaucoma.

You may not be able to take haloperidol, or you may require a lower dose or special monitoring during treatment if you have any of the conditions listed above.

It is not known whether haloperidol will harm an unborn baby. Do not take haloperidol without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant.

Haloperidol passes into breast milk. It is not known whether haloperidol will affect a nursing baby. Do not take this medication without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

Take haloperidol exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do not understand these directions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you

Take each dose with a full glass of water.

Haloperidol can be taken with or without food.

Do not stop taking haloperidol without the approval of your doctor. It may be several weeks before you begin to feel better, and you may require continuous treatment for quite some time. Talk to your doctor before you stop taking this medication.

If you are injecting haloperidol at home, your healthcare provider will give you detailed instructions on how and where to inject the medication. If you do not understand these directions, do not attempt to inject the medication. Contact your healthcare provider for further instructions.

Store oral and injectable haloperidol at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take only your next regularly scheduled dose. Do not take a double dose of this medication.

If you experience any of the following serious side effects, stop taking haloperidol and seek emergency medical attention:

• an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of your throat; swelling of your lips, tongue, or face; or hives);

• uncontrollable movements of the mouth, tongue, cheeks, jaw, arms or legs; or

• yellowing of your skin or eyes.

Other, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur. Continue to take haloperidol and talk to your doctor if you experience

• dizziness or drowsiness,

• headache,

• weakness or tremor (shaking),

• agitation,

• an increased heart rate,

• constipation,

• dry mouth, or

• weight gain.

Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.

Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardous activities. Haloperidol may cause dizziness or drowsiness. If you experience dizziness or drowsiness, avoid these activities.

Dizziness may be more likely to occur when you rise from a sitting or lying position. Rise slowly to prevent dizziness and a possible fall.

Use alcohol cautiously. Alcohol may increase drowsiness and dizziness while you are taking haloperidol.

Avoid becoming overheated during haloperidol therapy. It is easier to become dangerously dehydrated while you are taking haloperidol. Use caution in hot weather and during exercise.

Before taking haloperidol, tell your doctor if you are taking any of the following medicines:

• a barbiturate such as phenobarbital (Luminal, Solfoton), pentobarbital (Nembutal), amobarbital (Amytal), or secobarbital (Seconal);

• carbamazepine (Tegretol);

• fluoxetine (Prozac);

• lithium (Eskalith, Lithobid, others);

• methyldopa (Aldomet);

• phenytoin (Dilantin);

• guanethidine (Ismelin); or

• a tricyclic antidepressant such as amitriptyline (Elavil, Endep), doxepin (Sinequan), imipramine (Tofranil), nortriptyline (Pamelor), and others.

You may require special monitoring or a dosage adjustment if you are taking any of the medicines listed above.

Haloperidol may increase the side effects of other drugs that cause drowsiness, including antidepressants, alcohol, antihistamines, sedatives (medicines that treat insomnia), pain relievers, anxiety medicines, muscle relaxants, and any other drug that makes you feel sleepy or relaxed. Tell your doctor about all medicines that you are taking and do not take any medicine unless your doctor approves.

Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with haloperidol. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking any prescription or over-the-counter medicines.

Seek emergency medical attention.

Symptoms of a haloperidol overdose include drowsiness, slurred speech, agitation, restlessness, convulsions, fever, an irregular heartbeat, coma, and death.