Drug Name

Generic name:

Mechanism of
Action

CLASSIFICATION

Haloperidol
Antipsychotics

Administration

Organic Psychoses

seizure disorder

-0.5mg/day,
1mg/day, 2mg/day,
5mg/day, 10mg/day

acute psychotic
symptoms

glaucoma
elderly clients

Relieve hallucinations,
delusions, disorganized
thinking

- Oral

Haldol

severe anxiety
ACTION:
Alters the effects
of dopamine in the
CNS
Also has
anticholinergic and
alpha-adrenergic
blocking activity.
Diminished signs
and symptoms of
psychoses

Nadela, Kenny John V.

Contraindication

Dosage:

Route:

Brand name:

Indication

Frequency:
-Once a day

seizures

Adverse Effect
CNS: extrapyramidal
symptom such as
muscle rigidity or
spasm, shuffling gait,
posture leaning
forward, drooling,
masklike facial
appearance,
dysphagia, akathisia,
tardive dyskinesia,
headache, seizures.
CV: tachycardia,
arrhythmias,
hypertension,
orthostatic
hypertension.
EENT: blurred vision,
glaucoma
GI: dry mouth,
anorexia, nausea,
vomiting, constipation,
diarrhea, weight gain.
GU: urinary frequency,
urine retention,
impotence, enuresis,
amenorrhea,
gynecomastia
Hematologic: anemia,
leucopenia,
agranulocytosis
Skin: rash, dermatitis

Nursing Responsibilities

Assess mental status prior to and

periodically during therapy.
Monitor BP and pulse prior to and
frequently during the period of dosage
adjustment.
Observe patient carefully when
administering medication, to ensure that
medication is actually taken and not
hoarded.
Monitor I&O ratios and daily eight. Asse
patient for signs and symptoms of
dehydration.

DRUG NAME
Generic Name:
Clozapine
Brand Name:
Clozaril

MECHANISM OF ACTION

ADMINISTRATION

Antipsychotic

Dose:
300 900 mg.

Interferes with dopamine

binding at D1, D2, D3 and
D5 receptors in CNS;
antagonizes adrenergic,
cholinergic, histaminergic,
and serotonergic
neurotransmission.

Route:
PO
Frequency:
OD

INDICATION

CONTRAINDICATION

ADVERSE EFFECT

NURSING RESPONSIBILITIES

Management of
severely and chronically
mentally ill
schizophrenic patients
who have not
responded to or cannot
tolerate standard
antipsychotic drug
treatment; to reduce
risk of recurrent suicidal
behavior in patients
with schizophrenia or
schizoaffective disorder
who are judged to be at
chronic risk for reexperiencing suicidal
behavior (except orally
disintegrating tablets).

History of clozapineinduced agranulocytosis or

severe granulocytopenia;
myeloproliferative
disorders; simultaneous
administration with other
agents known to cause
bone marrow suppression;
severe CNS depression or
comatose states;
uncontrolled epilepsy;
hypersensitivity to product.

CNS: neuroleptic
malignant
syndrome, seizures,
dizzinss, sedation.
CV: myocarditis,
hypotension,
tachycardia
GI: constipation
Hemat:
agranulocytosis,
leukopenia.

-Monitot patients mental status (delusions,

hallucinations, and behavior) before and
periodically during therapy.
-Monitor for signs of
myocarditis(unexplained fatigue, dyspnea,
tachypnea, fever, chest pain, palpitations,
other signs and symptoms of heart failure,
ECG changes, such as ST-T wave
abnormalities, arrhythmias, or tachycardia
during the first month of therapy). If these
occur, clozapine should be discontinued
and not restarted.
-clozapine lowers the seizure threshold.
Institute seizure precautions for patients
with history of seizure disorder.