Haloperidol
Pronunciation: hal-oh-PER-i-dole.
- Generic name
- haloperidol
- Drug class
- Conventional antipsychotic
- Form
- Tablet, oral liquid, short-acting injection, long-acting decanoate injection
- Route
- Oral; short-acting injection or long-acting decanoate injection administered by trained clinicians
- Legal status
- Prescription-only; supply and product forms vary by country
Prescription medicine; confirm the exact Australian product
Trade names by country: United States · United Kingdom · Canada · Australia · New Zealand
Australia: HALOPERIDOL MEDICIANZ (6) · Full directory
What haloperidol is and how it works
Haloperidol is a prescription conventional antipsychotic. Product labels and approved uses differ by country and formulation. It is not suitable for self-treatment, and oral, short-acting injection, and long-acting decanoate products must be kept distinct. (1) (2) (3)
Take oral haloperidol exactly as prescribed and do not stop it suddenly. Injections are administered by healthcare professionals; long-acting decanoate treatment requires product-specific clinical planning and follow-up. Tell the prescriber about all medicines, heart problems, movement symptoms, and Parkinson disease before treatment.
Mechanism of action: how haloperidol works
Haloperidol is a conventional antipsychotic. Its clinical effects and adverse effects require formulation-specific prescribing and monitoring; the public page does not substitute for specialist assessment. (2) (3) (8)
What haloperidol is used for
Psychotic disorders
US tablet labeling includes use in psychotic disorders. Exact approved uses, ages, and product choices are country- and formulation-specific. (2) (1)
Tourette syndrome context
US oral information includes a Tourette tic-use context. This does not mean every haloperidol product is approved for this use in every country. (1) (2)
Clinician-administered injection
Injection and extended-release injection are administered by a healthcare provider. The specific indication, route, interval, and monitoring plan depend on the product and local label. (3) (8)
Before taking haloperidol
Do not take / not appropriate for
- Do not use haloperidol if you have had a hypersensitivity reaction to it or its ingredients. (all countries) (2)
- Do not use it in coma or severe central-nervous-system depression unless a specialist using the applicable product information directs otherwise. (United States tablet label) (2)
- The US tablet label lists Parkinson disease as a contraindication. Ask the prescribing clinician before use if you have Parkinson disease or another movement disorder. (United States tablet label) (2) (1)
Tell your clinician about
- Any heart disease, fainting, slow heartbeat, known long-QT syndrome, or a history of abnormal heart rhythm.
- Low potassium or magnesium, vomiting/diarrhoea, or medicines that can affect heart rhythm.
- Parkinson disease, previous involuntary movements, stiffness, tremor, or a past reaction to an antipsychotic.
- All prescription medicines, over-the-counter products, alcohol use, and recreational drugs; interactions may be clinically important.
- Pregnancy, plans for pregnancy, breastfeeding, or a child or older adult receiving treatment; individual specialist advice is required.
- Any history of dementia-related psychosis in an older adult. Haloperidol is not approved for this use in the United States and carries an increased mortality warning.
How to take haloperidol
- Use haloperidol exactly as prescribed; do not change the dose or schedule yourself.
- For oral medicine, follow the label and use the measuring device supplied or recommended for liquid products.
- Do not stop oral haloperidol suddenly; the clinician should advise how to change or stop treatment.
- Short-acting injection and long-acting decanoate injection are given by trained healthcare professionals, not self-administered.
- Keep follow-up appointments, especially for injection or depot treatment.
- Avoid alcohol and ask about driving or machinery because haloperidol can impair alertness.
Before procedures or hospital care
Tell every clinician, dentist, pharmacist, and anaesthetist that you take haloperidol. The exact product and timing of the last oral or injection dose matter for interaction and heart-rhythm assessment. (1) (4)
Missed dose
Do not take an extra dose to make up for a missed oral dose. Ask the prescriber or pharmacist for instructions specific to your product and schedule. If an injection appointment is missed, contact the clinic promptly rather than trying to rearrange the dose yourself.
United States
Follow the instructions from the prescribing clinician and the product information. Extended-release injections are given by a healthcare professional and appointments should be kept. (1) (3)
United Kingdom
Follow the leaflet supplied with the exact product and ask a pharmacist or prescriber if unsure. (4) (5)
Other countries
Use the local product leaflet and clinic instructions because formulations and dose schedules vary. (7) (8)
Overdose
If too much haloperidol has been taken or injected, or someone is very drowsy, fainting, has a seizure, severe stiffness, breathing difficulty, or an irregular heartbeat, seek emergency medical help or contact a poison service immediately. Take the medicine package or injection details with you. (1) (2) (5)
Side effects
Haloperidol can cause effects on alertness and movement. New or worsening movement symptoms, fever with rigidity, fainting, or palpitations need prompt clinical assessment.
Drowsiness or reduced alertness
What to notice: Sleepiness, dizziness, or impaired concentration may occur.
What to do: Avoid driving, operating machinery, alcohol, or risky activity until you know how the medicine affects you. (5) (4)
Movement-related effects
What to notice: Restlessness, tremor, stiffness, slowed movement, or muscle spasms may occur.
What to do: Contact the prescriber promptly; do not adjust or stop treatment on your own. (5) (1)
New involuntary movements
What to notice: Movements of the face, tongue, jaw, arms, or legs that you cannot control.
What to do: Contact the prescriber promptly. Tardive dyskinesia can occur and may persist. (2) (1)
Heart-rhythm symptoms
What to notice: Palpitations, dizziness, near-fainting, or fainting.
What to do: Seek urgent medical assessment, particularly if symptoms are sudden or severe. (2) (5)
Serious warnings
Older adults with dementia-related psychosis — high caution
Symptoms: This is a treatment-context warning rather than a symptom list.
Action: Haloperidol is not approved for dementia-related psychosis in the United States and antipsychotics carry an increased mortality warning in this group. Discuss alternatives and goals of care with the treating clinician. (1) (2)
Dangerous heart-rhythm problem — emergency
Symptoms: Fainting, collapse, severe dizziness, palpitations, chest symptoms, or seizure.
Action: Seek emergency help. Haloperidol labeling warns about QT prolongation, torsades de pointes, and sudden death risk. (2) (5)
Neuroleptic malignant syndrome — emergency
Symptoms: High fever, severe muscle stiffness, confusion, sweating, fast or irregular heartbeat, or major changes in blood pressure.
Action: Seek emergency medical help immediately. This can be life-threatening. (5) (1)
Tardive dyskinesia or severe movement reaction — urgent
Symptoms: Uncontrolled movements, severe stiffness, painful spasms, or inability to sit still.
Action: Contact the prescriber urgently; do not take an extra dose or make a sudden unsupervised change. (2) (1) (5)
Serious allergic reaction or blood-clot symptoms — emergency
Symptoms: Swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat; breathing difficulty; sudden chest pain; coughing blood; or one-sided leg swelling/pain.
Action: Seek emergency medical help. (5)
Interactions
| Medicine or test | Effect | Action |
|---|---|---|
| Alcohol and other central-nervous-system depressants | May increase sedation and impair alertness. | Avoid alcohol and ask the prescriber or pharmacist before combining with sedating medicines. (4) (5) |
| Medicines that affect heart rhythm or electrolytes | May increase the risk of QT prolongation or a serious abnormal rhythm. | Provide a complete medicine list and report fainting, palpitations, or severe dizziness urgently. (2) (5) |
| Dopamine agonists | The intended effects of dopamine-agonist medicines and haloperidol may oppose one another. | Do not start, stop, or change either medicine without specialist advice. (4) |
| Any prescription, non-prescription, or recreational medicine | Haloperidol has clinically important interaction potential and the relevance depends on the exact product and person. | Have a pharmacist or prescriber review all medicines before starting and whenever anything changes. (1) (4) |
Pregnancy, breastfeeding, kidney/liver function, age
Pregnancy
This evidence dossier does not support a general pregnancy recommendation. Tell the prescriber promptly if you are pregnant or planning pregnancy so that country-specific product information and specialist advice can be used. (1)
Breastfeeding
This evidence dossier does not support a general breastfeeding recommendation. Discuss the exact product and infant circumstances with the prescriber before treatment or before changing treatment. (1)
Older adults
Older adults, especially those with dementia-related psychosis, need careful specialist review because of the increased mortality warning and other risks. (1) (2)
Parkinson disease and movement disorders
Tell the prescriber about Parkinson disease or past abnormal movements. The US tablet label lists Parkinson disease as a contraindication, and movement-related adverse effects require careful assessment. (2) (1)
Monitoring
Before starting
- Confirm the exact formulation: oral, short-acting injection, or long-acting decanoate injection.
- Review heart history, fainting, rhythm risk, electrolytes, and all current medicines.
- Record baseline movement symptoms and any history of tardive dyskinesia or other antipsychotic reactions.
- Confirm the plan for follow-up and, for injections, where and when treatment will be administered.
During treatment
- Keep scheduled clinical and injection appointments.
- Report new involuntary movements, stiffness, tremor, restlessness, sedation, dizziness, palpitations, or fainting.
- Seek urgent care for fever with severe stiffness or confusion, or for collapse, seizure, or severe breathing difficulty.
- Do not stop or alter the dose without the prescribing clinician's plan.
Storage
Store oral products in their original container and follow the exact product label. Keep all medicines out of reach of children. Injection products are generally handled and stored by healthcare services.
United States: Follow the storage instructions on the exact tablet or liquid label. (2) (1)
New Zealand: Follow the data sheet and instructions for the exact oral or injection product. (7) (8)
Study the drug class: Typical antipsychotics
Professional information
Clinician-facing context only. This section does not replace the current local product information, formulary, ECG/electrolyte assessment, specialist psychiatry advice, or injection-administration protocols.
Oral products
Indication: Formulation- and country-specific approved indications
Dose summary: No public patient-specific dose is provided. Follow the current local label and individualise titration under clinical supervision.
Renal context: This public page provides no dosing calculator. Assess comorbidity, interacting medicines, cardiac risk, neurological status, and the exact product. (1) (2) (4)
Short-acting injection
Indication: Clinician-administered product; local label applies
Dose summary: Administered by a healthcare provider. The public page intentionally provides no administration regimen.
Renal context: Review current label, route, interaction risk, and monitoring requirements before use. (3)
Long-acting decanoate injection
Indication: Clinician-administered depot treatment; local label applies
Dose summary: Use only under product-specific specialist planning and follow-up. New Zealand data-sheet context specifies deep intramuscular administration and not intravenous administration.
Renal context: Do not infer a depot schedule from an oral regimen; use the current local product information. (3) (8)
Hepatic guidance
The recorded evidence dossier does not support a public hepatic dose recommendation. Use current local product information and clinical judgement for hepatic impairment or complex comorbidity.
Overdose note
Suspected overdose or severe toxicity requires urgent assessment. Obtain the exact product, dose, route, timing, co-exposures, symptoms, ECG/rhythm information where relevant, and follow local toxicology and emergency protocols. (2) (3) (8)
Frequently asked questions
Is haloperidol a prescription medicine?
Yes. Haloperidol is prescription-only, and product availability and supply rules vary by country. (2) (4)
Can I stop haloperidol suddenly?
Do not stop or change haloperidol on your own. Contact the prescribing clinician for an individual plan. (1)
Are tablets and injections interchangeable?
No. Oral products, short-acting injections, and long-acting decanoate injections are different formulations with different administration and follow-up requirements. (3) (8)
What symptoms need urgent help?
Seek urgent help for fainting, severe palpitations, seizure, breathing difficulty, high fever with severe stiffness or confusion, or a serious allergic reaction. (2) (5)
Can I drink alcohol while taking haloperidol?
Avoid alcohol unless the prescribing clinician says otherwise. Alcohol and other sedating medicines can increase impairment and need an interaction review. (4) (5)
Why do brand names differ by country?
Medicine names, strengths, formulations, and registrations differ by country. Use the active ingredient and the exact product information rather than assuming two similarly named products are interchangeable. (6) (7) (8)
References
- Haloperidol: MedlinePlus Drug InformationMedlinePlus, U.S. National Library of Medicine · United States · dated 2026-03-15 · accessed 2026-07-21 · source 1
- HALOPERIDOL (haloperidol) tablet — professional labelDailyMed, U.S. National Library of Medicine · United States · dated current label accessed 2026-07-21 · accessed 2026-07-21 · source 2
- Haloperidol Injection: MedlinePlus Drug InformationMedlinePlus, U.S. National Library of Medicine · United States · dated 2026-03-15 · accessed 2026-07-21 · source 3
- HALDOL 2 mg/ml oral solution — Summary of Product Characteristicselectronic Medicines Compendium (UK licensed medicine information) · United Kingdom · dated 2023-11-06 · accessed 2026-07-21 · source 4
- Haloperidol 1 mg/ml Oral Solution — Patient Information Leafletelectronic Medicines Compendium (UK licensed medicine information) · United Kingdom · dated 2022-07 · accessed 2026-07-21 · source 5
- HALOPERIDOL MEDICIANZ haloperidol 5 mg/1 mL solution for injection ampoule (ARTG 449665)Therapeutic Goods Administration · Australia · dated 2025-07-28 · accessed 2026-07-21 · source 6
- SERENACE haloperidol tablets, liquid and injection — New Zealand Data SheetMedsafe New Zealand · New Zealand · dated current data sheet accessed 2026-07-21 · accessed 2026-07-21 · source 7
- HALDOL haloperidol decanoate injection — New Zealand Data SheetMedsafe New Zealand · New Zealand · dated current data sheet accessed 2026-07-21 · accessed 2026-07-21 · source 8
Brand names by country
Single-ingredient haloperidol names are shown separately by country. Product availability, strengths, and supply rules can change; combination products are not included here.
Priority countries
United States
- Haldol Decanoate100 mg/mL, 50 mg/mL · janssen pharmaceuticals, inc.
United Kingdom
- HALDOL (4)current licensed product · 2 mg/ml oral solution product example · See the current UK electronic Medicines Compendium product information
Canada
- HALOPERIDOL LA
- HALOPERIDOL-LA OMEGA
- HALOPERIDOL INJ
- PMS-HALOPERIDOL-LA
- PMS-HALOPERIDOL SOLN
Australia
- HALOPERIDOL MEDICIANZ (6)current register product example · 5 mg/1 ml · See the current Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods entry