Generic Haldol

Common use

Haldol is an antipsychotic medication. Its action considers in changing the actions of chemicals in your brain. Haldol is used to treat schizophrenia, to control motor and speech tics in the patients with Tourette's syndrome. Haldol may also be used for others purposes.



Dosage and direction

Take the doses exactly as I have been prescribed by your doctor. In any way do not take in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than I have been recommended. You should follow the directions on your prescription schedule. Your doctor may occasionally change your dose to make sure you get the best results. Take Haldol with a full glass of water with or without food. It may pass several weeks before your symptoms improve. Keep using the medication as directed and tell your doctor if your symptoms do not improve. Do not stop using Haldol suddenly without allow of your doctor, or you could have unpleasant withdrawal symptoms. You should ask your doctor how to avoid withdrawal symptoms when you stop using haloperidol.



Precautions

Haldol is not used in cases of psychotic conditions related to dementia. For older adults with dementia-related conditions Haldol may cause heart failure, sudden death, or pneumonia. You should not use this medication if you are allergic to haloperidol. Be sure your doctor knows if you have Parkinson's disease. Haldol may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be alert. Avoid getting up too fast from a sitting or lying position, or you may feel dizzy you should get up slowly and steady yourself to prevent a fall.



Contraindications

You should not use this medication if you are allergic to haloperidol. Be sure your doctor knows if you have Parkinson's disease.

If you want to be sure you can safely take haloperidol, tell your doctor if you have any of these diseases: liver, kidney or heart disease, angina (chest pain), a thyroid disorder, epilepsy or other seizure disorder, a personal or family history of "Long QT syndrome", an electrolyte imbalance such as low potassium or magnesium levels in your blood.

It is not known whether haloperidol is harmful to an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment. Haldol can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.



Possible side effects

Call your doctor at once if you have tremor (uncontrolled shaking) or restless muscle movements in your eyes, tongue, jaw, or neck. Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. Call your doctor at once if you have a serious side effect such as dizziness, fast or pounding heartbeat, seizure (convulsions) and so on. There are less serious side effects that may include headache, dizziness, sleep problems (insomnia), etc.



Drug interactions

Tell your doctor if you regularly use other medicines that make you sleepy (such as cold or allergy medicine, narcotic pain medicine, sleeping pills, muscle relaxers, and medicine for depression or anxiety), lithium (Eskalith, Lithobid, others), seizure medication, a blood thinner such as warfarin (Coumadin) or rifampin (Rifadin, Rifamate, Rimactane) . They can add to sleepiness caused by Haldol.



Missed dose

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.



Overdose

Seek emergency medical attention. An overdose of Haldol can be fatal. Overdose symptoms may include extreme drowsiness, feeling like you might pass out, tremors, and uncontrolled muscle movements in your eyes, tongue, jaw, or neck.



Storage

Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat.



Disclaimer

We provide only general information about medications which does not cover all directions, possible drug integrations, or precautions. Information at the site cannot be used for self-treatment and self-diagnosis. Any specific instructions for a particular patient should be agreed with your health care adviser or doctor in charge of the case. We disclaim reliability of this information and mistakes it could contain. We are not responsible for any direct, indirect, special or other indirect damage as a result of any use of the information on this site and also for consequences of self-treatment.

Clinical Verification

Last Clinically Updated: August 15, 2026

Written By

Dr. Elena Vance, PharmD

Clinical Specialist in Neuropharmacology

Fact Checked By

Marcus Thorne, MS

Biomedical Data & FDA Label Verification

Medically Reviewed By

Dr. Arthur Campbell, MD

Board-Certified Psychiatrist (ABPN)