Haloperidol

Trade Name(s)
Apo-Haloperidol, Haldol,
haloperidol LA, Novo peridol
Dosages and Routes:
Tablets0.5, 1, 2, 5, 10, 20 mg;
oral concentrate2 mg/mL;
injection50, 100 mg/mL as
decanoate, 5 mg/mL as lactate
Contraindications:
Contraindicated with
hypersensitivity to typical
antipsychotics, coma or severe
CNS depression, bone marrow
depression, blood dyscrasia,
circulatory collapse, subcortical
brain damage, Parkinsons
disease, liver damage, cerebral
arteriosclerosis, coronary disease,
severe hypotension or
hypertension, dementia related
psychosis.
Respiratory disorders (silent
pneumonia); glaucoma, prostatic
hypertrophy (anticholinergic
effects may exacerbate glaucoma
and urinary retention); epilepsy or
history of epilepsy (drug lowers
seizure threshold); tar- dive
dyskinesia; NMS; breast cancer
(elevations in prolactin may
stimulate a prolactin- dependent
tumor); thyrotoxicosis; peptic
ulcer
Nursing Implications:
Take this drug exactly as
prescribed. Avoid driving
or engaging in other
dangerous activities if
dizziness or drowsiness or
vision changes occur.Avoid
prolonged exposure to sun,
or use asunscreen or
covering garments.
Maintain fluid intake, and
use precautionsagainst
heatstroke in hot weather

Schnique Grant

Classification
Antipsychotic Dopaminergic
blocker
[Mechanism of action]
Mechanism not fully
understood; antipsychotics
block postsynaptic dopamine
receptors in the brain depress
the RAS, including those
parts of the brain involved
with wakefulness and emesis;
chemically resembles the
phenothiazine.

Routes of Admin
PO, IM
Adverse Reactions/Interventions/Assessment
Adverse Reactions
CNS: Drowsiness, insomnia, vertigo, headache, weakness,
tremor, ataxia, slurring, cerebral edema, seizures, exacerbation
of psychotic symptoms, extrapyramidal syn- dromes
pseudoparkinsonism; dystonias; akathisia, tardive dyskinesias,
potentially irreversible, extrapyramidal symptoms,
hyperthermia, autonomic disturbances.
CV: Hypotension, orthostatic hypotension, hypertension,
tachycardia, bradycardia, cardiac arrest, cardiomegaly,
refractory S arrhythmias, pulmonary edema
Endocrine: Lactation, breast engorgement T in females,
galactorrhea; SIADH; amenorrhea, menstrual irregularities;
gynecomastia in males; changes in libido; hyperglycemia
or hypoglycemia; glycosuria; hyponatremia; pituitary tumor
with hyperprolactinemia; inhibition of ovulation, infertility,
pseudo-pregnancy
Interventions
Gradually withdraw drug when patient has been on maintenance
therapy to avoid withdrawal emergent dyskinesias
Discontinue drug if serum creatinine or BUN become abnormal
or if WBC count is depressed.
Assessment:
History: Severe CNS depression; bone marrow depression;
blood dyscrasia; circulatory collapse; subcortical brain damage;
Parkinsons disease; liver damage; cerebral arteriosclerosis;
coronary disease; severe hypotension or hypertension;
respiratory dis- orders; glaucoma, prostatic hypertrophy;
epilepsy or history of epilepsy; breast cancer; thyrotoxicosis;
peptic ulcer, decreased renal function; myelography within
previous 24 hr or scheduled within 48 hr; exposure to heat or
phosphorus insecticides; children younger than 12 yr, especially
those with chickenpox, CNS infections; allergy to aspirin,
pregnancy, lactation
Physical: Weight, T; reflexes, orientation, IOP; P, BP, orthostatic
BP; R, adventitious sounds; bowel sounds and normal output,
liver evaluation; urinary output, prostate size, CBC, urinalysis,
thyroid, LFTs, renal function tests