This is an automatically translated article.
Haloperidol is a neuroleptic drug belonging to the butyrophenone group, which is used to treat anxiety disorders of patients. The drug comes in the form of tablets which are very easy to use. However, the drug causes many unwanted effects, so patients should only use the drug when prescribed by the doctor.1. What is Haloperidol?
What is Haloperidol? Haloperidol has the main ingredient Haloperidol in the base form and has a strength of 1.5mg. Haloperidol is available in tablet form. Haloperidol acts on the central nervous system, by antagonizing dopamine receptors, mainly dopamine D2 in the postsynaptic membrane. In addition, the drug also has a strong antiemetic effect, because the drug affects the CTZ receptor active region in the floor of the ventricles. Therapeutic doses of Haloperidol have no effect on adrenergic activity, no antihistamine effects, and little effect on the sympathetic nervous system.
2. Indications for the use of Haloperidol
Haloperidol drugs are used in psychiatric specialties for patients with the following manifestations:
Patients have nerves in a state of agitation - movement stemming from different causes such as: delusions, loss of emotional control, alcohol-induced tremor,... Patients in psychotic state: These are patients with schizophrenia, showing confusion and emotional agitation leading to unprovoked aggressive behavior attacking unusual targets such as trees, loved ones, brightly colored objects,... In addition, there are signs of paranoia, delirium, paranoia, syndrome paraphrenia. Patients with anxiety disorders such as excessive anxiety, patients with weak nerves are easily intimidated, always think they have a disease,... In addition, Haloperidol is also used in anesthesia, reducing the symptoms. symptoms of nausea and vomiting caused by the use of radiotherapy and chemotherapy in cancer treatment due to the strong antiemetic effect of the drug.
3. Dosage and contraindications to using Haloperidol
Depending on the condition of each patient, the dose of the drug is different. Start with the lowest dose, then use the maintenance dose and gradually increase the dose. The use of such drugs will limit the side effects and drug resistance in the patient's body because Haloperidol is often used for a long time. Dosage is as follows:
For adults: use 1 tablet/day, the maximum dose is 100mg/day. For children from 3 to 12 years old: dose from 0.025 to 0.05mg/kg body weight. Patients should divide the drug dose into 2-3 doses in a day, strictly follow the doctor's instructions and periodically re-examine. Patients should use the drug during meals with a full glass of water, should not take Haloperidol with drinks such as coffee, carbonated soft drinks, tea, ... Cases of contraindications to Haloperidol :
Patients with a history of hypersensitivity to the drug or any ingredient in Haloperidol. The patient is taking other drugs such as barbiturates, alcohol or opiates. Patients with Parkinson's disease, patients with porphyria metabolism should not use the drug. The patient had liver failure, renal failure, signs of depression, epilepsy, hyperthyroidism and extrapyramidal dyskinesia.
4. What side effects does Haloperidol cause and how to handle it?
During the use of Haloperidol, it is inevitable to encounter side effects caused by the drug. Accordingly, the drug often causes the following side effects:
Patients may experience headache, dizziness, depression and sedation. Besides, there are extrapyramidal symptoms with acute dystonia, parkinson's syndrome, restlessness. If the drug is treated for a long time, movement disorders may occur. Patients may have increased salivation and perspiration, loss of appetite, insomnia, and changes in their weight. Cardiovascular disorders, tachycardia and hypotension, lactation, irregular or amenorrhea, vomiting, constipation, dyspepsia, dry mouth. The drug causes skin reactions, hypersensitivity reactions, urticaria, anaphylaxis. May cause agranulocytosis and thrombocytopenia, ventricular arrhythmias, hypoglycemia, hepatitis and intrahepatic biliary obstruction. The drug causes extrapyramidal symptoms with motor excitability patterns, weakness, and muscle weakness. In addition, Haloperidol also causes large seizures, psychomotor agitation, confusion, urinary retention and blurred vision.
Management:
Extrapyramidal disorders are the main problem that needs to be managed clinically in patients receiving sedation, including Haloperidol. To manage this reaction, the patient should reduce the drug dose or use parasympathetic blocking agents, or replace Haloperidol with sedatives that cause less extrapyramidal disturbances. Extrapyramidal symptoms are dose dependent and should be considered before high doses of Haloperidol are used. Physicians should observe and recognize the risk of neuroleptic malignant syndrome with manifestations such as high fever, severe extrapyramidal symptoms, sympathetic dysfunction and delirium, and skeletal muscle damage. . When signs of this syndrome are detected, the drug should be stopped immediately and symptomatic and supportive treatment is indicated by intravenous infusion of salty and sweet plasma, antipyretic drugs and antibiotics. In some cases, cardiac arrhythmias and blood dyscrasias may occur. In this case, it is necessary to stop using the drug, conduct symptomatic and supportive treatment. Haloperidol is a sedative drug that is widely used in psychiatry, in addition to being used for antiemetics, anesthesia and to calm the reactions after cancer chemotherapy. Haloperidol drugs cause many side effects at different levels, patients need to absolutely follow the doctor's instructions to limit unfortunate things that can happen.
Follow Vinmec International General Hospital website to get more health, nutrition and beauty information to protect the health of yourself and your loved ones in your family.
Please dial HOTLINE for more information or register for an appointment HERE. Download MyVinmec app to make appointments faster and to manage your bookings easily.
