Drug Groups

approved

Description

A phenyl-piperidinyl-butyrophenone that is used primarily to treat schizophrenia and other psychoses. It is also used in schizoaffective disorder, delusional disorders, ballism, and tourette syndrome (a drug of choice) and occasionally as adjunctive therapy in mental retardation and the chorea of huntington disease. It is a potent antiemetic and is used in the treatment of intractable hiccups. (From AMA Drug Evaluations Annual, 1994, p279)

Indication

For the management of psychotic disorders (eg. schizophrenia) and delirium, as well as to control tics and vocal utterances of Tourette's syndrome (Gilles de la Tourette's syndrome). Also used for the treatment of severe behavioural problems in children with disrubtive behaviour disorder or ADHD (attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder). Haloperidol has been used in the prevention and control of severe nausea and vomiting.

Pharmacology

Haloperidol is a psychotropic agent indicated for the treatment of schizophrenia. It also exerts sedative and antiemetic activity. Haloperidol principal pharmacological effects are similar to those of piperazine-derivative phenothiazines. The drug has action at all levels of the central nervous system-primarily at subcortical levels-as well as on multiple organ systems. Haloperidol has strong antiadrenergic and weaker peripheral anticholinergic activity; ganglionic blocking action is relatively slight. It also possesses slight antihistaminic and antiserotonin activity.

Toxicity

LD₅₀=165 mg/kg (rats, oral)

Affected Organisms

Biotransformation

Hepatic

Absorption

Oral-60%

Half Life

3 weeks

Protein Binding

92%

References

External Links