Is Haloperidol a Safe Drug? Is It The Drug For You?

Family and friends are with you in sickness and good health, but sickness does not associate with only the body it is also of the mind. A sickness that is not visible to others, but the patient undergoes a lot of trouble. 

The psychotic disorder is such a type of sickness, which makes the patient severely ill mentally. The patient is unable to make judgments, think clearly or even communicate properly. Many times, the patient is unable to understand reality or respond emotionally. The patient tends to behave differently. The patient finds it difficult to separate real things from imaginary ones. A sad condition!

With these severe symptoms, it becomes increasingly difficult for the patient and the caregiver to handle routine, daily life. These disorders do not always have a cure but can be treated with therapy and medicines. A doctor can use any one method or both to treat the patient and restore balance in daily life. Haloperidol is one such drug, which is useful to treat psychotic disorders.

Let us understand Haloperidol

Antipsychotic drugs are used to treat psychotic disorders. Haloperidol belongs to this class of  medicines. it acts on the brain and blocks certain chemicals in the brain. This helps to decrease dopamine and reduce abnormal excitement.

Haloperidol is used to control motor and verbal tics (a condition when the patient repeats actions and words without control) in adults and a similar condition in children known as Tourette’s disorder.
It is beneficial to treat the following,

•    Psychotic disorders
•    Impulsiveness
•    Combativeness
•    Over-excitability
•    Excessive movement
•    Mood swings
•    Aggression
•    Severe behavioural problems in children

How is Haloperidol available?

Haloperidol is available as a solution, an injectable and a tablet to be taken orally. The strengths of the oral tablet are 0.5 mg, 1 mg, 10 mg, 2 mg, 20 mg, and 5 mg.

The popular brand names for Haloperidol are listed below:

•    Benzydol-P by La Pharmaceuticals
•    Brain-Rest by Ind- Swift
•    Cizoren by Stadmed
•    Cizoren Plus by Stadmed
•    Combidol by Intas
•    Depidol by Torrent Pharmaceuticals
•    Dolcin by Cinerea
•    Gendol by Gentech
•    Halidace by Baroda Pharma Pvt Ltd
•    Opedol by Swiss Pharma Pvt Ltd

How to take Haloperidol?

Before starting with Haloperidol, discuss all your allergies and medical history with your doctor. It is crucial to make sure that the medicine you take is safe for you and would give the desired results. 

The injectable form is given under some circumstances and it is given by a trained professional. The oral tablet or the concentrated liquid has to be taken by mouth, orally.
The recommended dose is mostly twice or thrice a day.
It is advised to take the medicine at a fixed time every day.
Haloperidol is a prescription medicine and needs to be taken with extreme caution. Take it as told by your doctor. Follow the instructions and never change or alter the doses without the doctor’s consultation.
For oral dosage forms, for both solution and tablets:
For nervous, emotional, or mental conditions:

•    In adults and children older than 13 years of age, the initial dose is 0.5 to 5 milligrams (mg) two or three times per day. The doctor can titrate the dose as per the need. The maximum dose is never more than 100 milligrams (mg) per day.

•    In older adults, the initial dose is 0.5 to 2 mg twice or thrice a day. The doctor can titrate the dose as per the need. The maximum dose is never more than 100 milligrams (mg) per day.

•    In children of age 3 to 12 years with a body weight of 15 to 40 kilograms (kg), the dose is based on the weight and needs to be decided by your doctor.

•    In Children younger than 3 years of age, the doctor decides the dose as per the requirement.

Your doctor will initially give you a low dose and then as per your response may alter the dose. 
You need to regularly tell your doctor about your experiences with the medicine once you start the therapy. 
Make sure you have regular appointments and discuss any issues with your doctor.
Haloperidol helps control your condition, it is not a cure, hence take the doses as scheduled and directed even if you start feeling better.
Never stop taking haloperidol suddenly, without talking to your doctor. Your doctor needs to decrease your dose gradually. A sudden stop in the intake of Haloperidol may result in uncontrollable movements.
If you miss a dose, discuss the further course of action with your doctor.

Side effects of Haloperidol

A high dose or long-time use of Haloperidol may cause some irreversible effects. discuss this with your doctor. Haloperidol may cause side effects. Although the benefits outweigh the side effects, it is important to monitor the side effects too. Discuss with your doctor and take his opinion on any side effects, you may encounter.
Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away.

Some common side effects

•    Dry mouth or increased saliva
•    Blurred vision
•    Loss of appetite
•    Constipation or diarrhoea
•    Heartburn and nausea
•    Difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep
•    Blank facial expression
•    Uncontrollable eye movements
•    Unusual or uncontrollable body movements
•    A feeling of dizziness or unsteadiness 
•    Losing your body balance

Some severe side effects:

•    Fever
•    Muscle stiffness
•    Falling
•    Confusion
•    Fast or irregular heartbeat
•    Sweating
•    Cramps in the neck
•    A situation where the tongue sticks out of the mouth
•    Finding it difficult to breathe or swallow
•    Seizures
•    Discolouration of the eye
•    Decreased vision mainly at night
•    Pain in the eyes
•    Vision problem of seeing things in brown colour
•    A rash
•    The skin or eyes turn yellow

If you experience any of these symptoms, please seek emergency medical advice and contact your doctor immediately. Each patient responds to Haloperidol differently, so monitor your side effects and be on the lookout for any anomalies. 

So, how do you know if Haloperidol suits you?

With the unique set of genes, each individual will have different efficacy for the same drug. These unique genes are what set you apart and are also responsible for any reaction your body has to the drugs you consume. What may suit someone may not necessarily suit you. 

The tried and tested MEDNAwise pharmacogenetic test is the best diagnostic tool to tell you which medicine will suit you. It allows you to know your body and its mechanism better.  MEDNAwise test foresees your body's response to 70+ drugs including Haloperidol depending on your genes.  Psychotic disorders can be stressful for both the patient and the caregiver, it is therefore crucial to provide the most effective treatment. The most important part is the correct medication for the patient to lead a routine life, hence MEDNAwise is helpful to your doctor in finding the correct medicine and dose to give maximum benefits and the least side effects. 

MEDNAwise is beneficial to the doctor in selecting the correct dose, initiating the proper treatment, and altering the doses as required. It is the perfect tool for personalized treatment options. The treatment is faster and more effective with better patient outcomes. 

Did you know? MEDNAwise is a one-time-only test, the results of this test can be used multiple times whenever required. The results serve as a ready reckoner to the doctor in all your future medical problems and emergencies. 

MEDNAwise is a simple, direct-to-consumer test. It is easy to administer. It is a quick saliva test. You can take the test from anywhere, even your house. Detailed results are sent to you. The added benefit is that the counsellors give a free consultation after the test results and suggest further diet plans and health check-up routines.

When science has advanced and is offering so many benefits, you must make use of and help be on the path to good health. Precision healthcare is a reality now, do not wait any longer, make health your priority.  Book your MEDNAwise pharmacogenetic test today! Call Indus Health Plus for bookings.