Haloperidol (Haldol)

This article details comprehensive information about haloperidol, including what it’s used for, as well as its side effects, interactions, precautions, and other important treatment information.

Key Takeaways:

• Haloperidol is a first-generation (or typical) antipsychotic that helps control excessive brain activity. It is used for psychosis, schizophrenia, Tourette syndrome, and other conditions.
• Haloperidol is commonly associated with extrapyramidal side effects, which are a group of movement-related symptoms. There are many other possible side effects, some of which are severe and even life-threatening (e.g. heart rhythm abnormalities, seizures, low white blood cell count)
• Haloperidol may interact with many medications, and it also carries increased risks for individuals with dementia, pregnant women, and individuals with a variety of mental and physical conditions. Your doctor will determine if haloperidol is right for you.

Haloperidol Overview

Haloperidol is a prescription medication that belongs to the class of first-generation antipsychotics (also known as typical antipsychotics). It offers unique effects in the brain that help calm down overactivity, which can help with a variety of symptoms, such as psychosis, motor tics, and behavioral disturbances, such as aggression and agitation. ^[1]

Haloperidol is only available as a prescription. It comes as tablets, a liquid, and an injectable form.

Brand Names

In the United States, the most common brand name for haloperidol is Haldol®. Other brand names for haloperidol include: ^[2]

• Haldol Decanoate®
• Serenace®

How Does Haloperidol Work?

Haloperidol works by blocking certain dopamine receptors in the brain, which leads to a reduction in dopamine activity. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter important for mood, arousal, motivation, and other important functions. However, excessive dopamine levels are linked to symptoms of psychosis and other mood and behavioral disturbances. Therefore, reducing dopamine may help to control symptoms of psychosis, as well as agitation, aggression, and motor tics. ^[1]

In addition to its effects on dopamine, haloperidol also blocks the effects of noradrenaline, histamine, and acetylcholine, which may also contribute to its calming actions in the brain and body. ^[1]

When is it prescribed?

There are several haloperidol uses. Haloperidol is officially approved to help treat the following conditions: ^{[1] [3]}

• Schizophrenia:
• Particularly positive symptoms, such as hallucinations and delusions
• Tourette syndrome:
• Helps manage motor tics and vocal expressions in both children and adults
• Severe behavioral disorders in children:
• Primarily used for aggressive and explosive hyperexcitability and behavior
• Hyperactivity in children, including the following symptoms:
• Impulsivity
• Attention difficulties
• Aggression
• Mood swings
• Low frustration tolerance

Haloperidol is sometimes used off-label for the following symptoms and conditions: ^[1]

• Agitation within psychiatric disorders
• Acute mania
• Nausea and vomiting from chemotherapy
• Management of uncontrollable hiccups

Haloperidol is also one of the most common drugs used during the end-of-life treatment (palliative care). It may help with confusion, aggression, and feeling sick during this time. ^[2]

What to Know Before Taking Haloperidol

There are several important things to know before taking haloperidol. Firstly, haloperidol is associated with an increased risk of death when taken by elderly individuals with dementia. It shouldn’t be used to treat psychosis in dementia patients. ^[4]

Do not take haloperidol if you are allergic to haloperidol.

Haloperidol may interact with a variety of medications and other substances. Some of these may be dangerous. A detailed list of possible haloperidol interactions is discussed in a later section titled “Drug Interactions with Haloperidol”.

Haloperidol may not be safe for individuals with certain mental or physical conditions. The following conditions or symptoms require careful monitoring, and in some cases, may not allow for the use of haloperidol: ^{[3] [4] [5]}

• Parkinson’s disease
• Prolonged QT syndrome
• Breast cancer
• Bipolar disorder
• Citrullinemia
• Seizures
• Irregular heartbeat
• Abnormal EEG activity
• Low levels of calcium or magnesium in your blood
• Trouble with balance
• Heart or thyroid disease
• Family history of diabetes or heart disease

Haloperidol may cause drowsiness and affect your thinking or motor skills. Do not drive, operate heavy machinery, or perform complex mental or physical tasks until you know how haloperidol affects you and you receive your doctor’s approval to do so. ^[5]

Haloperidol may also cause lightheadedness, dizziness, or fainting if you stand up too quickly after lying or sitting down. To reduce this risk, get up slowly and rest your feet on the ground for a few minutes before standing up. ^[5]

Dosage

Haloperidol is available as oral tablets, an oral concentrate, and an injectable solution. The injectable solution is typically only administered within a hospital setting. ^{[1] [2]}

The exact haloperidol dosage depends on the intended treatment and other factors. Listed below are the recommended dosages of haloperidol for its approved indications: ^[1]

• Psychosis:
• Moderate symptoms: Oral dose of 0.5 to 2 mg, 2 to 3 times per day
• Resistant cases: Up to 30 mg per day
• Acute agitation: 2 to 5 mg of intramuscular injections every 4 to 8 hours
• Schizophrenia:
• Moderate symptoms: 0.5 to 2 mg orally, 2 to 3 times per day
• Severe symptoms: 3 to 5 mg orally, 2 to 3 times per day
• Maximum dosage of 100 mg per day
• Acute agitation within schizophrenia: 2 to 5 mg of intramuscular injections every 4 to 8 hours
• Tourette syndrome:
• Starting dosage: 0.25 to 0.5 mg daily (oral)
• Maintenance: 1 to 4 mg daily (oral)

In most cases, you start with a low dosage. The dosage is then increased gradually over several weeks until the ideal dose is reached.

Precautions

Haloperidol is contraindicated in individuals with any of the following: ^[4]

• Parkinson’s disease
• Dementia with Lewy bodies
• Hypersensitivity to haloperidol
• Severe toxic central nervous system (CNS) depression or comatose (any cause)

Haloperidol requires very careful and cautious use in the following populations: ^{[1] [4]}

• Hepatic (liver) impairments
• Children
• Elderly:
• The lowest possible effective dose is used
• Pregnant women:
• Used only if benefits strongly outweigh the risks
• Breastfeeding women:
• Use is generally not recommended

Haloperidol also requires careful use and monitoring for individuals with any of the physical or mental conditions and symptoms mentioned in the above section.

Side Effects

There are several possible side effects of haloperidol, which can occur in many areas of the body. Some side effects may diminish or stop as your body adjusts to the medication, while other side effects may not get better over time. It’s important to contact your doctor if you notice any side effects after starting haloperidol.

Common Side Effects

Haloperidol is commonly associated with extrapyramidal side effects, which are a group of movement-related symptoms, such as:

• Hypertonia: Stiff and rigid muscles
• Dystonia: Involuntary muscle contractions (this can cause twisting or repetitive movements)
• Tremor: Uncontrollable shaking in parts of the body
• Hyperkinesia: Excessive or abnormal muscular movements

Other common haloperidol side effects include: ^{[1] [3] [5]}

• Sleepiness
• Increased body temperature
• Dry mouth
• Sedation
• Constipation
• Urinary retention
• Erectile dysfunction in men
• Rapid heart rate
• Orthostatic hypotension (drop in blood pressure when standing up)
• Restlessness

Haloperidol may also cause: ^{[4] [5]}

• Breast enlargement
• Dizziness
• Trouble with balance
• Breast milk production
• Missed periods
• Trouble sleeping
• Vomiting
• Loss of appetite
• Agitation
• Depression
• Confusion

This list may not contain all possible side effects.

Rare and Severe Side Effects

Rarely, haloperidol may cause severe or even life-threatening side effects. Contact your doctor as soon as possible if you notice symptoms of the following severe side effects: ^{[1] [3] [4] [5]}

• Heart rhythm abnormalities (e.g. prolonged QT interval)
• Cerebrovascular reactions, such as stroke
• Tardive dyskinesia: This involves potentially irreversible involuntary, uncontrollable muscle movements
• Cholestatic jaundice and other liver issues. These involve several symptoms, including:
• Yellowing of the skin or eyes
• Dark urine
• Light-colored stools
• Neuroleptic malignant syndrome. This is a potentially fatal condition, with many symptoms, including:
• Muscle rigidity
• Changes in mental status
• Rapid heart rate
• Irregular pulse or blood pressure
• Leukopenia, neutropenia, and/or agranulocytosis:
• These all involve low white blood cell counts
• Severe allergic reactions (anaphylaxis), which include the following symptoms:
• Swelling of the tongue, throat, eyes, lips, or other body parts
• Trouble swallowing or breathing
• Sudden dizziness or confusion
• Nausea or vomiting
• Seizures
• Prolonged, painful erections (priapism)

Drug Interactions with Haloperidol

Haloperidol may interact with a variety of drugs and other substances. This includes: ^{[1] [3] [4] [6]}

• Lithium
• Tricyclic antidepressants (e.g. imipramine, desipramine)
• Medications for Parkinson’s (e.g. levodopa, bromocriptine, ropinirole)
• Blood pressure medications (e.g. propranolol)
• Antipsychotics (e.g. thioridazine, quetiapine)
• Antiarrhythmics (e.g. procainamide, quinidine)
• Selective-serotonin reuptake inhibitors (e.g. fluoxetine, fluvoxamine, sertraline)
• Anti-seizure medications (e.g. carbamazepine, phenytoin)
• Barbiturates (e.g. phenobarbital)
• Anti-fungals (e.g. ketoconazole, itraconazole)
• St. John’s wort
• Alcohol

This list does not contain all possible drug interactions with haloperidol. Tell your doctor everything you currently take or have taken, including prescription and over-the-counter medications, herbs, and dietary supplements.

Cessation and Withdrawal

It’s important to only stop taking haloperidol under controlled medical supervision. Suddenly stopping haloperidol may cause withdrawal symptoms, especially after moderate to long-term use. You may experience the following symptoms when stopping haloperidol:

• Uncontrolled body movements
• Anxiety
• Diarrhea
• Feeling too hot or cold
• Trouble sleeping
• Agitation
• Depression
• Hyperactivity
• Sweating
• Indigestion

In most cases, your doctor will gradually lower the dose of haloperidol over time, which may reduce the chance of experiencing withdrawal symptoms. Short-term treatment with haloperidol may not require a gradual reduction. ^[4]

When to Stop Taking Haloperidol

When to stop taking haloperidol depends on your condition and how you respond to the medication. Individuals with temporary anxiety, agitation, or behavioral issues may only need to take haloperidol for a short period of time. On the other hand, individuals with schizophrenia, Tourette syndrome, or other chronic conditions may require long-term treatment with haloperidol. ^[7]

It’s important to take haloperidol for as long as your doctor tells you to. Only stop taking haloperidol once you’ve consulted with your doctor and received his or her approval to do so.

Haloperidol FAQs

Listed below are commonly asked questions regarding the use of haloperidol.

Is it safe while pregnant?

Haloperidol has certain risks during pregnancy based on limited data, and may potentially lead to birth defects. If your doctor determines that the benefits strongly outweigh any risks, you may be able to take haloperidol while pregnant.

Does haloperidol cause weight gain?

Haloperidol can cause modest weight gain in some individuals, though it generally has one of the lowest risks among antipsychotics (often less than atypicals).

How long does haloperidol take to work?

Generally, most people start to notice benefits around 1 to 2 weeks after starting haloperidol. The full benefits may take 2 to 3 months of consistent use. ^[3]

Author

Jack Cincotta

Jack Cincotta holds a M.S. degree in Psychology. He is also a board-certified holistic health practitioner through AADP and an AFPA-certified holistic health coach and nutritionist.

Activity History - Last updated: March 19, 2026, Published date: March 19, 2026

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Reviewer

David MilesPharmD

David is a seasoned Pharmacist, natural medicines expert, medical reviewer, and pastor.

Activity History - Medically reviewed on April 14, 2026 and last checked on March 19, 2026