Haloperidol

The Basics

What is Haloperidol?

Used to treat severe behavioral problems in children who cannot be treated with psychotherapy or with other medications.

Brand names for Haloperidol

Haldol

How Haloperidol is classified

Antipsychotic Agents, Butyrophenones

Haloperidol During Pregnancy

Haloperidol pregnancy category

Category N/ANote that the FDA has deprecated the use of pregnancy categories, so for some medications, this information isn’t available. We still think it’s useful to list historical info, however, given what a common proxy this has been in the past.

What we know about taking Haloperidol while pregnant

Rodents given 2 to 20 times the usual maximum human dose of haloperidol by oral or parenteral routes showed an increase in incidence of resorption, reduced fertility, delayed delivery and pup mortality. No teratogenic effect has been reported in rats, rabbits or dogs at dosages within this range, but cleft palate has been observed in mice given 15 times the usual maximum human dose. Cleft palate in mice appears to be a nonspecific response to stress or nutritional imbalance as well as to a variety of drugs, and there is no evidence to relate this phenomenon to predictable human risk for most of these agents. There are no well controlled studies with HALDOL (haloperidol) in pregnant women. There are reports, however, of cases of limb malformations observed following maternal use of HALDOL along with other drugs which have suspected teratogenic potential during the first trimester of pregnancy. Causal relationships were not established in these cases. Since such experience does not exclude the possibility of fetal damage due to HALDOL, this drug should be used during pregnancy or in women likely to become pregnant only if the benefit clearly justifies a potential risk to the fetus. Infants should not be nursed during drug treatment. Non-Teratogenic Effects Neonates exposed to antipsychotic drugs (including haloperidol) during the third trimester of pregnancy are at risk for extrapyramidal and/or withdrawal symptoms following delivery. There have been reports of agitation, hypertonia, hypotonia, tremor, somnolence, respiratory distress, and feeding disorder in these neonates. These complications have varied in severity; while in some cases symptoms have been selflimited, in other cases neonates have required intensive care unit support and prolonged hospitalization. HALDOL should be used during pregnancy only if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the fetus.

Taking Haloperidol While Breastfeeding

What are recommendations for lactation if you're taking Haloperidol?

Limited information indicates that maternal doses of haloperidol up to 10 mg daily produce low levels in milk and usually do not affect the breastfed infant. Very limited long-term follow-up data indicate no adverse developmental effects when haloperidol is used alone. However, use with other antipsychotic drugs occasionally might negatively affect the infant. Monitor the infant for drowsiness and developmental milestones, especially if other antipsychotics are used concurrently.

Maternal / infant drug levels

Limited information indicates that maternal doses of haloperidol up to 10 mg daily produce low levels in milk and usually do not affect the breastfed infant. Very limited long-term follow-up data indicate no adverse developmental effects when haloperidol is used alone. However, use with other antipsychotic drugs occasionally might negatively affect the infant. Monitor the infant for drowsiness and developmental milestones, especially if other antipsychotics are used concurrently.

Possible effects of Haloperidol on milk supply

Galactorrhea has been reported with haloperidol.[11] Hyperprolactinemia appears to be the cause of the galactorrhea.[11][12][13][14][15][16] The hyperprolactinemia is caused by the drug’s dopamine-blocking action in the tuberoinfundibular pathway.[17] The maternal prolactin level in a mother with established lactation may not affect her ability to breastfeed.

Possible alternatives to Haloperidol

Olanzapine, Risperidone.