Haloperidol tablets
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What are haloperidol tablets?
HALOPERIDOL (Haldol®) helps to treat schizophrenia. Haloperidol can help you to keep in touch with reality and reduce your mental problems. Haloperidol can help to control tics and vocal outbursts in patients with Tourette's syndrome and treat behavioral problems in children with severe conduct disorders (hyperactivity, mood swings, aggressive behavior, or difficulty maintaining attention). Generic haloperidol tablets are available.
What should I tell my health care provider before I take this medicine?
They need to know if you have any of these conditions:
• blood disease
• breast cancer
• difficulty passing urine
• glaucoma
• head injury
• heart disease
• low blood calcium
• lung disease
• over-active thyroid
• Parkinson's disease
• prostate trouble
• seizures (convulsions)
• tobacco smoker
• an unusual or allergic reaction to haloperidol, tartrazine, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives
• pregnant or trying to get pregnant
• breast-feeding
How should I take this medicine?
Take haloperidol tablets by mouth. Follow the directions on the prescription label. Swallow the tablets with a drink of water. If haloperidol upsets your stomach you can take it with food. Take your doses at regular intervals. Do not take your medicine more often than directed. Do not stop taking except on your prescriber's advice.
Contact your pediatrician or health care professional regarding the use of this medicine in children. Special care may be needed.
Elderly patients over age 65 years may have a stronger reaction to this medicine and need smaller doses.
What drug(s) may interact with haloperidol?
• alcohol
• atropine
• barbiturate medicines for inducing sleep or treating seizures (convulsions)
• benztropine
• cabergoline
• carbamazepine
• dicyclomine
• dopamine
• doxercalciferol
• epinephrine
• levodopa or other medicines for Parkinson's disease
• lithium
• medicines for hay fever and other allergies
• medicines for fungal infections
• medicines for high blood pressure
• medicines for pain
• medicines to control heart rate
• other medicines for mental problems, like mental depression
• rifampin
• water pills
Tell your prescriber or health care professional about all other medicines you are taking, including non-prescription medicines, nutritional supplements, or herbal products. Also tell your prescriber or health care professional if you are a frequent user of drinks with caffeine or alcohol, if you smoke, or if you use illegal drugs. These may affect the way your medicine works. Check with your health care professional before stopping or starting any of your medicines.
What should I watch for while taking haloperidol?
Visit your prescriber or health care professional for regular checks on your progress. It may be several weeks before you see the full effects of haloperidol. Do not suddenly stop taking haloperidol. You may need to gradually reduce the dose. Only stop taking haloperidol on your prescriber's advice.
You may get dizzy or drowsy. Do not drive, use machinery, or do anything that needs mental alertness until you know how haloperidol affects you. Do not stand or sit up quickly, especially if you are an older patient. This reduces the risk of dizzy or fainting spells. Alcohol can increase dizziness and drowsiness. Avoid alcoholic drinks. You can get a hangover effect the morning after a bedtime dose.
Do not treat yourself for colds, diarrhea or allergies. Ask your prescriber or health care professional for advice, some nonprescription medicines may increase possible side effects.
Your mouth may get dry. Chewing sugarless gum or sucking hard candy, and drinking plenty of water will help. Be careful when brushing and flossing your teeth to avoid mouth infections or damage to your gums. See your dentist regularly.
If you are going to have surgery tell your prescriber or health care professional that you are taking haloperidol.
Avoid extreme heat or cold. Haloperidol can stop you sweating and increase your body temperature. It can also make your body unable to stand extreme cold. Avoid hot baths and saunas. Be careful about exercising especially in hot weather. Dress warmly in cold weather and do not stay out long in the cold.
Haloperidol may make you more sensitive to sun or ultraviolet light. Keep out of the sun, or wear protective clothing outdoors and use a sunscreen (at least SPF 15). Do not use sun lamps, or sun tanning beds or booths. To protect your eyes wear sunglasses even on cloudy days.
What side effects may I notice from taking haloperidol?
Side effects that you should report to your prescriber or health care professional as soon as possible:
• confusion
• difficulty breathing
• difficulty in speaking or swallowing
• difficulty passing urine, or sudden loss of bladder control
• dizziness or lightheadedness
• fast or irregular heartbeat (palpitations)
• fever, chills, or sore throat
• hot, dry skin or lack of sweating
• loss of balance or difficulty walking
• seizures (convulsions)
• stiffness, spasms, trembling
• uncontrollable tongue or chewing movements, smacking lips or puffing cheeks
• uncontrollable muscle spasms, in the face hands, arms, or legs, twisting body movements
• unusual weakness or tiredness
Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your prescriber or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):
• anxiety or agitation
• blurred vision
• breast pain or swelling
• constipation
• decreased sexual ability
• drowsiness
• dry mouth
• increased sensitivity to the sun (severe sunburn)
• menstrual changes
• nausea or vomiting
• skin rash
• unusual production of breast milk
• weight gain
Where can I keep my medicine?
Keep out of the reach of children in a container that small children cannot open.
Store at room temperature between 15 and 30 degrees C (59 and 86 degrees F). Protect from light. Keep container tightly closed. Throw away any unused medicine after the expiration date.
Important Disclaimer: The drug information provided here is for educational purposes only. It is intended to supplement, not substitute for, the diagnosis, treatment and advice of a medical professional. This drug information does not cover all possible uses, precautions, side effects and interactions. It should not be construed to indicate that this or any drug is safe for you. Consult your medical professional for guidance before using any prescription or over the counter drugs.
