Antipsychotic
CCP: Emergency sedation of severely agitated or delirious patients
CCP: Emergency sedation of severely agitated or delirious patients
The safety and efficacy of haloperidol has not been established in children.
Haloperidol blocks post-synaptic mesolimbic dopaminergic receptors in the brain, depressing the release of hypothalamic and hypophyseal hormones, which is believed to depress the reticular activating system and thus basal metabolism, body temperature, wakefulness, vasomotor tones, and emesis sites.
Onset of action:
Extrapyramidal reactions, such as Parkinson-like symptoms, akathisia, or dystonia, can occur with haloperidol use. These reactions are reported to occur more frequently when haloperidol is given intravenously. Manage dystonic reactions with diphenhydramine (25-50 mg IV).
Haloperidol is associated with increased mortality in geriatric patients with dementia-related psychosis. Higher doses, as well as intravenous administration, have been associated with an increased risk of QT interval prolongation and the development of torsades de pointes.