Haloperidol
FGA • Last reviewed 2025-09-23
Brands: Haldol
Sources updated 2025 • 1 references
General Information
Indicated for: Schizophrenia; severe behavior disorders; Tourette’s syndrome (tics/vocal utterances). First‑generation antipsychotic (FGA) Also available as a long‑acting injectable (see LAI section below).
Dosage & Administration
Typical dose range: 5–20 mg/day
Indications (label)
Schizophrenia; severe behavior disorders; Tourette’s syndrome (tics/vocal utterances).
View labelExact
Mechanism (brief)
Potent dopamine D2 receptor antagonism; minimal anticholinergic.
Metabolism & Half‑life
- Metabolism: Hepatic (CYP3A4/2D6).
- Half‑life: ~21 h (oral); decanoate depot longer.
Therapeutic Drug Monitoring (TDM)
Recommended: No
Long‑acting injectable (LAI)
Haloperidol decanoate
- Interval
- q4wk
- Oral overlap
- Consider short overlap during conversion
- Site
- Gluteal
References
- Haloperidol labelExact (2025)
- Haloperidol decanoate dosing and conversion: review — Review (2018)
- Establishing a dose–response relationship for haloperidol decanoate — Psychiatric Bulletin (2005)
- Haloperidol serum concentrations and D2 receptor occupancy during low‑dose treatment with haloperidol decanoate — International Clinical Psychopharmacology (1997)
- Haloperidol and reduced haloperidol plasma concentrations after a loading dose regimen with haloperidol decanoate — Progress in Neuro‑Psychopharmacology and Biological Psychiatry (1996)
- D2 dopamine receptor occupancy during low‑dose treatment with haloperidol decanoate — American Journal of Psychiatry (1995)
- Disposition of haloperidol and reduced haloperidol plasma levels after single‑dose haloperidol decanoate administration — Human Psychopharmacology: Clinical and Experimental (1995)
- Clinical pharmacokinetics of haloperidol decanoate. Comparison with other prolonged-action neuroleptics. — L'Encephale (1987)