Haloperidol

Excerpt

Haloperidol, a first-generation typical antipsychotic, is commonly used worldwide to block dopamine D2 receptors in the brain and exert its antipsychotic action. The medication is used to manage the positive symptoms of schizophrenia, including hallucinations and delusions. Haloperidol has received approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for a wide array of clinical applications, while also exhibiting off-label uses. The FDA-approved indications for haloperidol include schizophrenia, Tourette syndrome, and severe behavioral disorders in children, characterized by combative and explosive hyperexcitability, as well as hyperactivity in children, characterized by impulsivity, attention difficulties, aggressiveness, mood fluctuations, and low frustration tolerance. This activity highlights the mechanism of action, administration, adverse event profile, toxicity, monitoring, and pertinent interactions relevant to interprofessional healthcare team members when using haloperidol effectively to manage diverse indications.