Haloperidol

Aliases: Haldol

Indications: Used to treat certain mental/mood disorders (e.g., schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorders) & Tourette’s disorder, Severe nausea/vomiting, Acute exacerbation of chronic abdominal pain 

Contraindications: Severe toxic central nervous system depression, Parkinson’s disease   

Concentrations: 

Injection: 5 mg/mL

Dosing

Adult:

Indication Dose Route Note 
-Agitation/Psychosis
-Severe nausea/vomiting
-Atraumatic headache
-Acute exacerbation of
chronic abdominal pain
5 mgIV/IMMay repeat once after 10 minutes 

Pediatric:

Indication Dose Route Note 
-Agitation/Psychosis
-Severe nausea/vomiting
-Atraumatic headache
-Acute exacerbation of
chronic abdominal pain
2 mgIV/IM-May repeat once after 10 minutes 
-Not for children under 3 y/o or
15 kg
Use Handtevy or Approved Pediatric Reference Guide for Amount to Administer

Precautions: Elderly Patients with Dementia-Related Psychosis Pregnancy Category C 

Adverse/Side Effects: Tachycardia, hypotension, and hypertension. QT prolongation and/or ventricular arrhythmias. Dystonia 

Class: Antipsychotic 

Mechanism of Action: Phenylbutylpiperadine; antagonizes dopamine D1 and D2 receptors in brain; depresses reticular activating system and inhibits release of hypothalamic and hypophyseal hormones 

Onset of ActionPeak EffectDuration of Action 
3 to 20 minutes (IV) 
20 to 30 minutes (IM) 		20 – 30 minutes 3 hours (IV) 
2 hours (IM)