Haldol (Haloperidol) Possible Side Effects

Haldol (Haloperidol) Possible Side Effects Bipolar Disorder Treatment Medications Print Potential Side Effects of Haldol (Haloperidol) By Marcia Purse Marcia Purse is a mental health writer and bipolar disorder advocate who brings strong research skills and personal experiences to her writing. Learn about our editorial policy Marcia Purse Medically reviewed by Medically reviewed by Steven Gans, MD on January 31, 2020 Steven Gans, MD is board-certified in psychiatry and is an active supervisor, teacher, and mentor at Massachusetts General Hospital. Learn about our Medical Review Board Steven Gans, MD Updated on February 03, 2020 moodboard Collection/Brand X Pictures/Getty Images More in Bipolar Disorder Treatment Medications Symptoms Diagnosis In This Article Table of Contents Expand Emergencies Serious Side Effects Mild Side Effects Tardive Dyskinesia Overdose and Discontinuation View All Back To Top Haldolâ€"generic name haloperidolâ€"is a typical antipsychotic drug effectively used in the management of mania, agitation, and psychosis in various mental illnesses, including bipolar disorder. While Haldol can be an effective treatment, it also carries the risk of significant side effects. A patient taking Haldol or haloperidol should be aware of the potential side effects of this medication, some of which are medical emergencies. Its important to be aware of the possible effects listed below, but also to let your doctor know if you have any physical changes which concern you. Unfortunately, all of the drugs used to treat psychosis carry some risk for side effects. Choosing a medication to treat psychosis is often a process of choosing which side effects you are most able to tolerate. Emergency Haldol Side Effects There are some side effects of Haldol, that while uncommon, are potentially extremely serious. If you note any of these side effects, stop taking your Haldol and seek help immediately. In the case of some of these side effects, such as seizures, you may be unable to call yourself. Make sure that your friends and loved ones know about these possible side effects and to call if they should see you experiencing any of them. Potential effects include: Convulsions (seizures from neuroleptic malignant syndrome)Difficult or fast breathingFast heartbeat or irregular pulseHigh feverLow blood pressureIncreased sweatingSevere muscle stiffnessUnusually pale skin Potentially Serious Side Effects Some of the following side effects may be less serious, but should prompt you to call your doctor as soon as possible. More common serious side effects include:?? Difficulty in speaking or swallowingInability to move eyesLoss of balance controlMask-like faceMuscle spasms, especially in the neck and backSevere restlessness or need to keep movingShuffling walkStiffness of arms and legsTrembling and shaking of fingers and handsTwisting body movementsWeakness of arms and legs Less common serious side effects include: Decreased thirstDifficulty urinatingDizziness, lightheadedness or faintingHallucinationsLip-smacking or puckeringPuffing of cheeksRapid or worm-like tongue movementsSkin rashUncontrolled chewing movementsUncontrolled arm and leg movements Rare but serious side effects: ConfusionHot, dry skin or lack of sweatingIncreased blinking or eyelid spasmsMuscle weaknessSore throat and feverUncontrolled twisting movements of neck, trunk, arms or legsUnusual bleeding or bruisingUnusual facial expressions or body positionsYellow eyes or skin (jaundice) Less Serious (Mild) Haldol Side Effects There are several less serious side effects that people may experience while using Haldol. Though these are not an emergency or dont usually mean that you need to stop the medication, talk to your doctor if you find them bothersome. There are sometimes measures you can take to either cope with these side effects or help them to go away, for example, by using sunscreen when you are out of doors. More common mild side effects:?? Blurred visionChanges in menstrual periodConstipationMouth drynessBreast swelling or pain in womenUnusual secretion of milk from breastsWeight gain Less common mild side effects: Decreased sexual abilityDrowsinessIncreased sun sensitivity (involving skin rash, itching, redness or other skin discoloration, or severe sunburn)Nausea or vomiting Tardive Dyskinesia With Haldol Treatment with Haldol can cause a movement disorder called tardive dyskinesia. This disorder is thought to occur due to an increased brain sensitivity to the neurotransmitter dopamine. Signs of tardive dyskinesia include fine, worm-like movements of the tongue, or other uncontrolled movements of the mouth, tongue, cheeks, jaw, or arms and legs. These symptoms may not go away after you stop taking the drug. Unfortunately, this side effect is far too common with long-term use. Approximately 24% to 32% of people taking this medication might develop some degree of tardive dyskinesia.?? Research shows that other drugs for bipolar disorder may not have as great a risk of tardive dyskinesia as Haldol. However, they do carry their own risks. If youre concerned about your risk, talk to your doctor about your medication options. You may wish to go over the alternative medications that are available and determine which ones have a side effect profile that you find would be more tolerable for you. For those who need to take Haldol, research is in progress looking at methods of decreasing the risk of tardive dyskinesia. Many of the studies, such as those looking at antioxidants such as Ginkgo biloba or alpha-tocopherol (a type of vitamin E), have only been done on animals in the lab, but its likely we will soon learn more about how to protect people from these side effects.?? Before starting the medication, talk to your doctor about any options she feels may decrease your risk.? Overdose and Discontinuation of Haldol When youre discontinuing Haldol, you may experience trembling in your fingers and hands, along with uncontrolled movements of your mouth, tongue, and jaw. If you do have these side effects, notify your doctor as soon as possible. Symptoms of a Haldol overdose include severe breathing difficulty; severe dizziness; severe drowsiness; severe muscle trembling, jerking, stiffness or uncontrolled movements; and severe, unusual tiredness or weakness.?? If you experience these symptoms, seek emergency medical assistance. Antipsychotics Used to for Bipolar Disorder