Drug Study

Name

General
Considerations

Indication

Mechanism of
action

Chemical
classes

Generic
name:
Haloperidol

The tablet and

liquid forms of
Haldol are
usually taken by
mouth two or
three times a
day.

Acute and
chronic
psychotic
disorders
including:
Schizophrenia
, manic states,
drug induced
psychoses.
Schizophrenic
patients who
are require
long term
parenteral (IM)
antipsychotic
therapy. Also
useful in
managing
aggressive or
agitated
patients.

Alters the
effects of
dopamine in
the CNS. Also
has
anticholinergic
and alphaandrogenic
blocking
activity.

Therapeutic:
Antipsychotics

Brand name:
ApoHaloperidol
Haldol
Haldol
Decanoate
Haldol LA
Peridol

You can take

Haldol with or
without food. If
the medication
bothers your
stomach, try
taking it with
food.
The liquid
form may be
better for those
who have
difficulty
swallowing
tablets.

Unlabeled
Use:
Nausea and

Therapeutic
effects:
Diminished
signs and
symptoms of
psychoses.
Improved
behavioral
problems.

Pharmacologic
:
butyphenones

Administration
/ Dosage/
Relief of
symptoms
Patient Dosage:
10 mg, OD
IV: Haloperidol
decanoate
should not be
administered IV.
Direct IV:
Diluent: may be
administered
undiluted for
rapid control of
acute psychosis
or delirium.
Concentration:
5 mg/ml. Rate:
Administer at a
rate of 5mh/min.
Intermittent
Infusion:
Diluent: May be
diluted in 3050ml of D5W.

Contraindication
s

Side effects

Contraindicated in:
Hypersensitivity,
Angle-closure
glaucoma; bone
marrow
depression; Sever
liver or
cardiovascular
disease (QT
interval prolonging
conditions); some
products contain
tartazine, sesame
oil, or benzyl
alcohol and should
be avoided in
patients with
known intolerance
or hypersensitivity.

CNS: seizures,
extrapyramidal
reactions,
confusions,
drowsiness,
restlessness, tardive
dyskinesia

Use cautiously in:

Debilitated
patients (dose
decrease
required); cardiac

EENT: blurred vision,

dry eyes
Respiratory:
Respiratory
depression
CV:
Hypotension,
tachycardia
GI:
Constipation, dry
mouth anoxeria,
drug induced
hepatitis, ileus,
weight gain

Haldol is also
vomiting from
available in
surgery or
injectable forms, chemotherapy.
including a
short-acting
form (given
several times
per day) and a
long-acting form
(given just once
a month).
Haldol should
be taken at the
same time(s)
each day to
maintain an
even level in
your blood.
For the
medication to
work properly, it
must be taken
as prescribed.
Haldol will not
work if you stop
taking it.

Rate: Infuse
over 30min.

disease, Diabetes,
Respiratory
insufficiency;
Prostatic
hyperplasia, CNS
tumors; intestinal
obstruction,
seizures.

GU:
Impotence, urinary
retention
Derm:
Diaphoresis,
photosensitivity,
rashes
Endo:
Amenorrhea,
galactorrhea,
gynecomastia
Hemat:
agranulocystosis,
anemia, leukemia,
neutropenia
Metab:
Hyperplaxia
Nursing
interventions
1. Assess mental
status (orientation,
mood, behavior)
prior to and
periodically during
therapy.

2. Assess positive
(hallucination,
delusions) and
negative (social
isolation) symptoms
of schizophrenia.
3. Monitor blood
pressure and pulse
prior to and
frequently during the
period of adjustment.
May cause QT
interval changes on
ECG.
4. Observe patient
carefully when
administering
medication, to
ensure medication is
actually taken and
not hoarded.