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HALOPERIDOL (Haldol)

 

Name: HALOPERIDOL (HaldolR)
Classification: antipsychotic, anxiolytic
Dose:
  • Intermittent Bolus Dose:
    • 2.5-5 mg as IV infusion q 30 min - q6h
  • Continuous Infusion:
    • 1-10 mg/hr, with additional 1-10 mg bolus prn up to every 30-60 minutes
Administration: IV Infusion:
100 mg in 100 ml of dextrose 5% (maximum concentration of 3 mg/ml)
Adverse Effects:
  • tachycardia
  • hypotension or hypertension
  • CNS:  ataxia, fixed stare, tardive dyskinesia, tardive dystonia, insomnia, restlessness, agitation, seizures
  • exacerbation of psychotic symptoms
  • dry mouth or hypersalivation
  • constipation
  • anemia, leukopenia
  • QT interval prolongation; Torsades de Pointes
  • elevated liver enzymes
Drug Interactions:
  • haloperidol + CNS depressants = increased sedation
  • haloperidol + anticholinergic agents = increased anticholinergic effects
Monitoring Therapy:
  • blood pressure
  • heart rate
  • QT interval
  • mental status
  • delirum screen
  • liver enzymes
  • muscular tone and signs of extrapyramidal symptoms
  • skin
Adult Critical Care Protocol:
  • May be administed IV direct or by IV infusion by a nurse in Adult Critical Care
  • Continuous infusions must be administered by infusion device with pump library enabled.


Lynne Kelly, Pharmacist, CCTC
Brenda Morgan, Clinical Nurse Specialist, CCTC
Last Update: September 20, 2018