haloperidol (Haldol)  

Class:

  Amtipsychotic and Neuroleptic

Description:

  A frequently  used major tranquilizer.

Mechanism of Action:

  Haloperidol is a major tranqilizer of the butyrophenone class that is effective in managing acute psychotic episodes.  It appears to work by blocking the dopamine receptors responsible for mood and behavior.  It is not clearly understood how haloperidol acctually works.  This drug also has anit-cholinergic properties.

Pharmacokinetics:

  Onset: 30-45 minutes

  Peak Effects: 10-20 minutes

  Duration:  Varies

  Half-Life:  3-35 hours

Indication:

  Haloperidol is used to treat acute psychotic episodes.

Contraindications:

  Haloperidol should not be used in cases where other drug, especially sedatives are present.  It should not be used to treat dysphoria caused from taking Talwin (Talwin Nx is used to treat moderate to severe pain and is available for oral routes only).

Precautions:

  Haloperidol may impair mental and physical abilities.  Orthostatic hypotension may been seen in conjunction with this med, for this reason care should be given when administering this med to patient's taking anticoagulants.  Extraptramidal or dystonic reaction may have been know to occure folling administration of the med, especially in childeren.  Benadryl should be readily available.

  This medicine has had some cases where adverse cardiovascular effects have occured, most notably prolonged QT/QTc and torsades.  These have most commonly occured in much higher doses than those used in prehospital medicine.

Side Effects:

• Insomnia
• Restlessness
• Drowsiness
• Seizures
• Respiratory Depression
• Dry Mouth
• Constipation
• Hypotentsion
• Tachycardia
• Extrapyramidal symptoms

Interactions:

  Antihypertensive medications may increase  the likelihood of patient's developing hypotension.  Haloperidol should not be used with patient's taking lithium as the two meds have been know to cause irreversible brain damage.

Dosage:

  2 to 5mg is the standard dose for haloperidol administration.  Haloperidol should only be given IM.