[30 years experience with haloperidol]

Abstract

Haloperidol, a butyrophenone derivative, was first used 30 years ago and has since become one the most frequently prescribed neuroleptics, employed in the treatment of numerous psychiatric and neurological syndromes. It has a very good antipsychotic effect; its sedative effects are moderate compared against weakly potent neuroleptics, and its vegetative side effects are only slight. In a review of the literature, the data found during the past 30 years are commented upon, such as data on pharmacodynamics, pharmacokinetics, indications, undesirable effects, interactions, dosage, contraindications and precautionary measures - all of them having implications on research on neuroleptics as a whole.