What it means
A typical (first-generation) antipsychotican-tee-sy-KOT-ikA drug used to treat psychosis, such as hallucinations and delusions, in conditions like schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.Full entry that blocks dopamine in the brain. It is used for schizophrenia, acute agitation, Tourette syndrome and sometimes delirium. A long-acting injection (haloperidol decanoate) is given about once a month. Common problems are movement side effects: acute dystoniadis-TOH-nee-uhMuscle contractions that a person cannot control, which twist part of the body into an unusual position.dys- abnormalton/o tone, tension-ia conditionFull entry , restlessness (akathisia), Parkinson-like stiffness and tremor, and later tardive dyskinesiaTAR-div dis-kih-NEE-zhuhA movement disorder with repeated movements a person cannot control, most often of the face, lips and tongue.dys- badkinesi/o movement-ia conditionFull entry . Rare but serious risks are neuroleptic malignant syndrome and an abnormal heart rhythm (QT prolongation).
For the nurse
Watch for movement side effects and report them; report high fever with severe muscle stiffness and confusion at once. Give long-acting injections deep IM by the Z-track method. Its boxed warning is a higher risk of death in older adults with dementia-related psychosis.
At a glance
| Drug class | antipsychotic (first-generation, typical) |
|---|---|
| Brand names | Haldol, Haldol Decanoate |
| Spanish | haloperidol |
| Also written | Haldol, Haldol Decanoate |
Related terms
antipsychotic
A drug used to treat psychosis, such as hallucinations and delusions, in conditions like schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.
tardive dyskinesia
A movement disorder with repeated movements a person cannot control, most often of the face, lips and tongue.
dystonia
Muscle contractions that a person cannot control, which twist part of the body into an unusual position.