Haldol Decanoate IM

Haloperidol decanoate is used for long-term treatment of a certain mental/mood disorder (schizophrenia). It may be used in people who have trouble remembering to take medication every day. This medicine helps you to think more clearly, feel less nervous, and take part in everyday life. It can also prevent suicide in people who are likely to harm themselves. It also reduces aggression and the desire to hurt others. It can decrease negative thoughts and hallucinations.
Haloperidol decanoate is a long-acting form of psychiatric medication (antipsychotic-type) that works by helping to restore the balance of certain natural substances (neurotransmitters) in the brain.
OTHER USES: This section contains uses of this drug that are not listed in the approved professional labeling for the drug but that may be prescribed by your health care professional. Use this drug for a condition that is listed in this section only if it has been so prescribed by your health care professional.
Haloperidol is also used for severe behavior problems in hyperactive children when other treatments or medications have not worked.

How to use Haldol Decanoate IM
Most likely, you have used the form of haloperidol that is taken by mouth. Your doctor is using this form of haloperidol so that you won\'t have to remember to take this medication every day.
This medication is the long-acting form of haloperidol. It is injected deep into a muscle (usually the buttocks) by a healthcare professional. Your first dose may be divided and given in separate injections given 3-7 days apart. After your doctor has found the best dose for you, this medication is usually given once every 3-4 weeks. Your dosage is based on your condition and response to therapy.
This medication takes a while to start working, so you will need to continue to take your other medication by mouth until your doctor tells you to stop.
This medication must be used as prescribed. Do not suddenly stop using this drug without consulting your doctor. Some conditions may worsen if the medication is suddenly stopped.
Inform your doctor if your symptoms do not improve or if they worsen.

Dizziness, drowsiness, difficulty urinating, trouble sleeping, headache, anxiety, and pain at the injection site may occur. If these effects persist or worsen, notify your doctor or pharmacist promptly.
Tell your doctor promptly if any of these side effects occur: muscle spasm/stiffness, shaking (tremor), restlessness, mask-like facial expression, drooling. Your doctor may prescribe another medication for you to take with haloperidol to decrease these side effects.
Remember that your doctor has prescribed this medication because he or she has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects.
In rare cases, haloperidol may increase your level of a certain chemical made by the body (prolactin). For females, this increase in prolactin may result in unwanted breast milk, missed/stopped periods, or difficulty becoming pregnant. For males, it may result in decreased sexual ability, inability to produce sperm, or enlarged breasts. If you develop any of these symptoms, tell your doctor immediately.
For males, in the unlikely event you have a painful or prolonged erection (lasting more than 4 hours), stop using this drug and seek immediate medical attention, or permanent problems may occur.
This medication may rarely cause a condition known as tardive dyskinesia. In some cases, this condition may be permanent. Tell your doctor immediately if you develop any facial/muscle twitching such as tongue thrusting, chewing movements, puffing or puckering of your mouth, or uncontrollable shaking.
This medication may rarely cause a serious condition called neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS). Seek immediate medical attention if you develop any of the following symptoms: fever, muscle stiffness, severe confusion, increased sweating, fast/irregular heartbeat.
Tell your doctor immediately if any of these rare but very serious side effects occur: dark urine, persistent nausea/vomiting, stomach/abdominal pain, yellowing of eyes/skin, seizures, signs of infection (such as fever, persistent sore throat).
Seek immediate medical attention if any of these rare but very serious side effects occur: slow/fast/irregular heartbeat, severe dizziness, chest pain, fainting.
A very severe allergic reaction to this drug is unlikely, but seek immediate medical attention if it occurs. Symptoms of an allergic reaction include: rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, trouble breathing.
This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.
In the US -
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
In Canada - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to Health Canada at 1-866-234-2345.

Before using haloperidol, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients (such as sesame oil), which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details.
This medication should not be used if you have certain medical conditions. Before using this medicine, consult your doctor or pharmacist if you have: a certain severe nervous system problem (severe CNS depression), Parkinson\'s disease.
This medication should not be given to a patient who is unconscious.
Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: bipolar disorder, difficulty urinating (e.g., due to prostate problems), glaucoma, heart problems (e.g., angina), overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism), seizures, low white blood cell count.
Haloperidol decanoate may cause a condition that affects the heart rhythm (QT prolongation). QT prolongation can infrequently result in serious (rarely fatal) fast/irregular heartbeat and other symptoms (such as severe dizziness, fainting) that require immediate medical attention. The risk of QT prolongation may be increased if you have certain medical conditions or are taking other drugs that may affect the heart rhythm (see also Drug Interactions section). Before using haloperidol decanoate, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any of the following conditions: certain heart problems (heart failure, slow heartbeat, QT prolongation in the EKG), family history of certain heart problems (QT prolongation in the EKG, sudden cardiac death).
Low levels of potassium or magnesium in the blood may also increase your risk of QT prolongation. This risk may increase if you use certain drugs (such as diuretics/\"water pills\") or if you have conditions such as severe sweating, diarrhea, or vomiting. Talk to your doctor about using haloperidol decanoate safely.
This drug may make you dizzy or drowsy. Do not drive, use machinery, or do any activity that requires alertness until you are sure you can perform such activities safely. Limit alcoholic beverages.
Before having surgery, be sure to tell your doctor or dentist that you are using haloperidol.
This medication can reduce sweating, making you more likely to get heatstroke. Avoid hard work and exercise in hot weather.
Caution is advised when using this drug in elderly people because they may be more sensitive to the effects of the drug, especially drowsiness, difficulty urinating, and the effects on the heart.
During pregnancy, this medication should be used only when clearly needed. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor. Do not stop taking this medication unless directed by your doctor. Babies born to mothers who have used this drug during the last 3 months of pregnancy may infrequently develop symptoms including muscle stiffness or shakiness, drowsiness, feeding/breathing difficulties, or constant crying. If you notice any of these symptoms in your newborn anytime during their first month, tell the doctor right away.
This drug passes into breast milk and could have undesirable effects on a nursing infant. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.

Your healthcare professionals (e.g., doctor or pharmacist) may already be aware of any possible drug interactions and may be monitoring you for it. Do not start, stop or change the dosage of any medicine before checking with them first.
This drug should not be used with the following medications because very serious interactions may occur: cabergoline, pergolide, sibutramine.
Many drugs besides haloperidol decanoate may affect the heart rhythm (QT prolongation), including amiodarone, dofetilide, pimozide, quinidine, sotalol, procainamide, and macrolide antibiotics (such as erythromycin), among others. Therefore, before using haloperidol, report all medications you are currently using to your doctor or pharmacist.
If you are currently using any of these medications listed above, tell your doctor or pharmacist before starting haloperidol.
Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all prescription and nonprescription/herbal products you may use, especially of: anticholinergic medications (e.g., antispasmodics such as belladonna alkaloids, scopolamine), \"blood thinners\" (e.g., anticoagulants such as warfarin and heparin), carbamazepine, ketoconazole, lithium, methyldopa, drugs for Parkinson\'s disease (e.g., levodopa and carbidopa, selegiline), paroxetine, quinupristin-dalfopristin, rifampin.
Also report the use of drugs which might increase seizure risk (decrease seizure threshold) when combined with haloperidol such as: bupropion, isoniazid (INH), phenothiazines (e.g., chlorpromazine, fluphenazine, thioridazine), theophylline, tramadol, or tricyclic antidepressants (e.g., amitriptyline, nortriptyline), among others. Consult your pharmacist or doctor for more information.
Tell your doctor of pharmacist if you also take drugs that cause drowsiness such as: certain antihistamines (e.g., diphenhydramine), anti-seizure medications (e.g., phenytoin, valproic acid), medicine for sleep or anxiety (alprazolam, clonazepam, zolpidem), muscle relaxants, narcotic pain relievers (e.g., codeine), psychiatric medications (e.g., risperidone, trazodone).
Check the labels on all your medicines (e.g., allergy, cough-and-cold products) because they may contain drowsiness-causing ingredients. Ask your pharmacist about the safe use of those products.
This document does not contain all possible interactions. Therefore, before using this product, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all the products you use. Keep a list of all your medications with you, and share the list with your doctor and pharmacist.

If overdose is suspected, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately. US residents can call the US national poison hotline at 1-800-222-1222. Canadian residents should call their local poison control center directly.

NOTES:
Not applicable.

MISSED DOSE:
If you miss an appointment, call your doctor as soon as possible to set up an appointment. It is important that you stay on schedule with this medication.

STORAGE:
Not applicable. This medication is given in a doctor\'s office and will not be stored at home.
Information last revised October 2012. Copyright(c) 2012 First Databank, Inc.