Haloperidol decanoate (Injection)
Haloperidol Decanoate (hal-oh-PER-i-dol dek-a-NOE-ate)
Treats mental illness such as schizophrenia.
There may be other brand names for this medicine.
When This Medicine Should Not Be Used
You should not receive this medicine if you have had an allergic reaction to haloperidol decanoate, or if you have Parkinson's disease. This medicine should not be given to patients with severe brain disease.
How to Use This Medicine
- Your doctor will prescribe your exact dose and tell you how often it should be given. This medicine is given as a shot into one of your muscles.
- A nurse or other trained health professional will give you this medicine.
Drugs and Foods to Avoid
Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.
- Make sure your doctor knows if you are also using lithium (Eskalith®, Lithane®, Lithobid®), rifampin (Rifadin®, Rimactane®), a blood thinner (such as phenindione), or medicine for Parkinson's disease (such as carbidopa, levodopa, or Sinemet®).
- Make sure your doctor knows if you are also using medicine for heart rhythm problems (such as amiodarone, disopyramide, dofetilide, procainamide, quinidine, sotalol, Betapace®, Cordarone®, Norpace®, Quinaglute®, or Tikosyn®) or medicine for seizures (such as carbamazepine, phenobarbital, phenytoin, Dilantin®, Luminal®, or Tegretol®).
- Do not drink alcohol while you are using this medicine.
- Tell your doctor if you are using any medicines that make you sleepy. These include sleeping pills, cold and allergy medicine, narcotic pain relievers, and sedatives.
Warnings While Using This Medicine
- Make sure your doctor knows if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you have kidney disease, liver disease, lung disease, mania, thyroid problems, or a history of prolactin-dependent breast cancer, seizures, or neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS). Your doctor needs to know if you have any kind of heart or blood vessel problems, including blood pressure problems, heart rhythm problems (such as QT prolongation), or a mineral imbalance (such as low potassium or magnesium in the blood).
- Older adults may be more sensitive to the side effects of this medicine, including heart failure or pneumonia. This medicine is not used to treat behavioral problems in older adults with dementia.
- Tardive dyskinesia (a movement disorder) may occur and may not go away after you stop using the medicine. Check with your doctor right away if you have any of the following symptoms while receiving this medicine: lip smacking or puckering, puffing of the cheeks, rapid or worm-like movements of the tongue, uncontrolled chewing movements, or uncontrolled movements of the arms and legs.
- Check with your doctor right away if you have any of the following symptoms while using this medicine: convulsions (seizures), difficulty with breathing, a fast heartbeat, a high fever, high or low blood pressure, increased sweating, loss of bladder control, severe muscle stiffness, unusually pale skin, or tiredness. These could be symptoms of a serious condition called neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS).
- This medicine will make you sweat less, causing your body temperature to increase. Use extra care not to become overheated during exercise or hot weather while you are using this medicine, since overheating may result in heat stroke. Also, hot baths or saunas may make you feel dizzy or faint while you are using this medicine.
- This medicine may make you drowsy or dizzy. Avoid driving, using machines, or doing anything else that could be dangerous if you are not alert. You may also feel lightheaded when getting up suddenly from a lying or sitting position, so stand up slowly.
- This medicine lowers the number of some types of blood cells in your body. Because of this, you may bleed or get infections more easily. To help with these problems, avoid being near people who are sick or have infections. Wash your hands often. Stay away from rough sports or other situations where you could be bruised, cut, or injured. Brush and floss your teeth gently. Be careful when using sharp objects, including razors and fingernail clippers.
- Your doctor will need to check your progress at regular visits while you are using this medicine. Be sure to keep all appointments. Blood tests may be needed to check for unwanted effects.
Possible Side Effects While Using This Medicine
Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:
- Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing
- Blood in your urine.
- Chills, sore throat, and body aches.
- Decreased thirst.
- Fast or uneven heartbeat.
- Feeling very thirsty or hungry.
- Fever, sweating, confusion, or muscle stiffness.
- Lightheadedness or fainting.
- Problems with vision, speech, balance, or walking.
- Seeing or hearing things which are not there.
- Seizures (convulsions).
- Tremors or movements that you cannot control in the tongue, face, neck, jaw, or eyes
- Trouble breathing or swallowing.
- Trouble with swallowing or talking, sticking out of the tongue, or spasm of the neck muscles.
- Unusual bleeding, bruising, or weakness.
- Unusual facial expressions.
- Yellowing of your skin or the whites of your eyes.
If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:
- Anxiety, drowsiness, or depression.
- Decrease in how much or how often you urinate.
- Dry mouth, cough, or headache.
- Hair loss.
- Loss of appetite.
- Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or stomach upset.
- Pain in the breast, irregular menstrual periods.
- Skin rash, soreness, or pain at the injection site.
- Trouble having sex or increased development of breasts (in men).
- Trouble sleeping or restlessness.
If you notice other side effects that you think are caused by this medicine, tell your doctor
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088
- Last Reviewed on 06/12/2013
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