Haloperidol

ATC CodeN05AD01
CAS number52-86-8
PUB number3559
Drugbank IDDB00502
Empirical formulaC21H23ClFNO2
Molar mass (g·mol−1)375,864
Physical statesolid
Density (g·cm−3)1,2
Melting point (°C)148-152
Boiling point (°C)529
PKS value8,66
Solubility0.00446 mg/mL

Basics

Haloperidol is an active substance that is used to treat psychotic illnesses as well as chronic pain and movement disorders. It belongs to the group of neuroleptics and has antipsychotic and antidopaminergic effects. Haloperidol is a pethidine derivative and is structurally very similar to loperamide. It is usually available as a white powder that is insoluble in water.

Graphic structural formula of the active substance haloperidol

Effect

Haloperidol works by binding to the dopamine receptors, mainly D2. It inhibits the effects caused by dopamine. The exact mechanism of action has not yet been fully researched, but it is assumed that haloperidol binds to the postsynaptic dopamine 2 receptors, thereby displacing dopamine from the receptors and causing hallucinations or delusions to disappear. Haloperidol also has an influence on the 5-HT2 and alpha-1 receptors, but these are negligible for the effect of haloperidol.

Haloperidol is broken down in the liver, mainly by the enzymes CYP2D6 and CYP3A4. The bioavailability, i.e. the percentage of the active substance available in the blood, is 40-75%. The half-life of haloperidol, i.e. the time the body needs to excrete half of the active substance, is approx. 14.5-36.7 hours. The maximum plasma concentration (Cmax), i.e. the maximum concentration of the active substance in the blood plasma (liquid cell-free part of the blood), is reached after 1.7-6.1 hours.

Dosage

Always take haloperidol exactly as described in the package leaflet or as advised by your doctor.

The usual recommended dose for adults and children aged 13 years and over is 0.5-2 mg 2-3 times a day for moderate symptoms and 3-5 mg 2-3 times a day for severe symptoms.

The maximum dose is 20 mg per day.

The recommended dose for children aged 6 to 12 years is 0.5 mg daily. This should be divided into 2-3 doses per day.

Side effects

The following side effects may occur:

Very common:

Common:

  • Delusions
  • Hallucinations
  • depression
  • Abnormal muscle tension
  • dizziness
  • drowsiness
  • uncontrollable eye movements
  • visual disturbances
  • low blood pressure
  • nausea and vomiting
  • constipation
  • dry mouth
  • skin rash
  • urinary retention
  • erectile dysfunction
  • Weight gain or weight loss
  • Altered blood liver values

Occasionally:

  • Decrease in all blood cells
  • Confusion
  • Altered sexual desire
  • seizures
  • Muscle and joint stiffness
  • muscle cramps
  • gait disturbances
  • shortness of breath
  • Liver inflammation
  • liver dysfunction
  • Increased sensitivity of the skin to light
  • itching
  • sweating
  • change in the menstrual cycle
  • heavy and painful bleeding
  • unexpected milk secretion
  • breast pain
  • high body temperature
  • oedema

Rarely:

  • high prolactin levels in the blood
  • constricted airways in the lungs
  • The mouth can only be opened to a limited extent or not at all
  • Problems during sexual intercourse

Frequency unknown:

  • Cardiac arrhythmia
  • palpitations
  • heart stumbling
  • malignant neuroleptic syndrome
  • tardive dyskinesia
  • restlessness
  • muscle tremor
  • muscle stiffness
  • shuffling gait
  • Inability to move
  • Loss of normal facial expressions
  • Severe allergic reactions
  • blood clot formation
  • high ADH levels in the blood
  • low blood sugar levels
  • Swelling in the larynx inflammation
  • liver failure
  • reduced bile flow
  • peeling of the skin
  • inflamed small blood vessels
  • breakdown of muscle tissue
  • painful permanent erection
  • swelling of the breast in men
  • low body temperature

Interactions

Interactions may occur if the following medicines are taken at the same time:

Contraindications

Haloperidol must NOT be taken in the following cases

Age restriction

Haloperidol can be used from the age of 6.

Pregnancy & breastfeeding

Pregnancy

Haloperidol can be used during pregnancy after consultation with your doctor and if no alternative is possible.

No increased risk of malformations has been found in the 1st trimester of pregnancy.

In the 2nd and 3rd trimester of pregnancy, the newborn may experience adjustment disorders, which disappear again. This can lead to impaired breathing, gastrointestinal tract and brain function (affecting the nervous system). In addition to the adaptation disorders, extrapyramidal motor disorders may occur.

Lactation

Haloperidol should only be used during breastfeeding after consultation with your doctor and with reservations.

Babies whose mothers take unusually high doses may suffer from psychomotor developmental disorders. If therapy has to be continued, it is advisable to have the infant's plasma levels determined after 2-3 weeks in order to see to what extent the infant is absorbing the active substance through breast milk.

History of the active ingredient

Haloperidol was developed and subsequently marketed by Paul Janssen, the founder of the pharmaceutical company Janssen Pharmaceutica. It was first approved in Belgium in 1957.

Thomas Hofko

Thomas Hofko



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