Drug reference
haloperidol
For healthcare professionals — reference only. This page is a brief summary, not medical advice and not a substitute for official labeling or clinical judgement. Always verify before prescribing or dispensing.
Drug class
Central Nervous System (Anti Psychotic)
Mechanism of action
Phenylbutylpiperadine; antagonizes dopamine D1 and D2 receptors in brain; depresses reticular activating system and inhibits release of hypothalamic and hypophyseal hormones
Common side effects
- Anticholinergic effects
- Erectile dysfunction
- Sedation
- Akathisia
- Weight gain
- Dystonia
- Muscle stiffness
Boxed warnings
- Patients with dementia-related psychosis who are treated with antipsychotic drugs are at an increased risk for death, as shown in short-term controlled trials; deaths in trials appeared to be either cardiovascular (eg, heart failure, sudden death) or infectious (eg, pneumonia) in nature Not approved for treatment of patients with dementia-related psychosis
Contraindications
- Severe toxic central nervous system depression or comatose states from any cause
- Parkinson disease
- Dementia with Lewy bodies
Known interactions (13)
- haloperidol + pimozide Contraindicated
- amisulpride + haloperidol Major
- cabergoline + haloperidol Major
- haloperidol + methadone Major
- haloperidol + pramipexole Major
- haloperidol + quinidine Major
- haloperidol + ropinirole Major
- haloperidol + sotalol Major
- dopamine + haloperidol Moderate
- flibanserin + haloperidol Moderate
- haloperidol + indapamide Moderate
- haloperidol + methyldopa Moderate
- haloperidol + posaconazole Moderate
Related conditions
Frequently asked questions
What drug class is haloperidol?
haloperidol belongs to: Central Nervous System.
How does haloperidol work?
Phenylbutylpiperadine; antagonizes dopamine D1 and D2 receptors in brain; depresses reticular activating system and inhibits release of hypothalamic and hypophyseal hormones
What are the common side effects of haloperidol?
Anticholinergic effects, Erectile dysfunction, Sedation, Akathisia, Weight gain, Dystonia, Muscle stiffness
Which drugs interact with haloperidol?
pimozide, amisulpride, cabergoline, methadone, pramipexole, quinidine, ropinirole, sotalol, dopamine, flibanserin, indapamide, methyldopa, posaconazole
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