Overview
Haloperidol is often used to treat schizophrenia. It is a strong tranquilizer and antipsychotic drug, a type of drug also known as a neuroleptic or major tranquilizer. This drug is used to:

1. help a patient keep in touch with reality and reduce mental problems associated with acute schizophrenia.
2. control tics and outbursts in patients with Tourette’s syndrome.
3. treat mood swings, hyperactivity, aggressive behavior, and improve attention span in children with sever conduct disorders.
4. treat acute psychosis
5. control manic phases, outbursts of aggression, agitation, disorganized, and psychotic thinking.
6. help treat false perceptions. (e.g. hallucinations or delusions, delirium in LSD flashback.)
7. treat psychosis associated with dementia, depressions, or mania.

Why is this drug prescribed?
Haloperidol is used primarily to treat schizophrenia, but it used for several other diagnoses as well. It is prescribed for the following symptoms:

Schizophrenia -

1. disturbances in form and content of thought (loosening of associations, delusions and hallucinations)
2. autistic withdrawal
3. blunted, flattened or inappropriate mood
4. sense of self and relationship to the external world such as loss of ego boundaries, dereistic thinking and autistic withdrawal
5. bizarre behavior, apparently purposeless and stereotyped activity or inactivity
6. deterioration from a previous level of functioning for more than six months

Other symptoms that Haloperidol is used to treat include:

1. tics
2. aggressive outbursts
3. agitation
4. depression
5. mania, hyperactivity
6. mood swings
7. hallucinations and/or delusions not associated with schizophrenia

Warnings and Precautions
Haloperidol should only be used in children and adolescents under 18 who are under the care of a child psychiatrist.

Haloperidol may cause dizziness and/or drowsiness. Patients taking it should not drive or operate heavy machinery until the full effects on alertness are known.

Patients can be more sensitive to UV light while taking Haloperidol and should always wear a sunscreen SPF 15 or more and wear sunglasses when outdoors or in direct sunlight. Patients should not be exposed to artificial sunlight such as tanning booths or sun lamps.

This drug can reduce a patient’s ability to withstand extreme heat or cold. Patients should be cautious when exercising in hot weather, and should dress appropriately for cold weather and avoid excessive exposure to cold.

For Nursing Mothers: Do not take if you are breast-feeding.

Contraindications
Haloperidol should Not be used for people with the following medical conditions:

1. an allergic reaction to this Haloperidol or tartrazine
2. Parkinson's disease
3. taking lithium

Adverse Reactions
Haloperidol may cause the following reactions:

1. restlessness, inability to sit still
2. hangover effect (morning after a bedtime dose)
3. absence of movements
4. lethargy / sleepiness
5. raised or lowered blood pressure
6. dry mouth
7. blurred vision
8. constipation
9. weight gain
10. difficulty urinating
11. stiffness
12. dizziness
13. racing heartbeat / palpitations
14. weakness
15. sexual problems (decreased libido, impotence)
16. restlessness
17. skin rash
18. seizures
19. low white blood cell count
20. tremors
21. involuntary facial / tongue movements
22. jaundice
23. seizures
24. liver toxicity

Interactions with Drugs and Other Substances
Drugs or substances that may interact with Haloperidol are:

1. central nervous system depressants like antihistamines
2. hay fever medicines
3. sedatives
4. narcotics or other tranquilizers
5. anesthetics
6. barbiturates
7. muscle relaxants
8. vasodilators (drugs that dilate blood vessels)
9. sleeping pills, alcohol, or any other drug with a depressive effect
10. anticholinergic drugs may reduce the effectiveness of Haloperidol and increase the incidence of side effects
11. lithium with Haloperidol may lead to disorientation or loss of consciousness, and may cause uncontrolled muscle movements
12. propranolol and Haloperidol taken together may lead to abnormally low blood pressure

http://www.psyweb.com/Drughtm/halope.html

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