Drug Dosage, Mechanism of Action Indications Contraindication Side Effects Nursing Intervention

Frequency. Route
Generic Name: Psychosis adult: • Alters the effects • Acute psychotic • Previous history CNS: Extrapyramidal 1. Assess mental
Haloperidol, of dopamine in symptoms of acute stroke reactions: Parkinsonian status prior to and
PO 0.2–5 mg
Haloperidol the CNS • Relieve or coma symptoms, dystonia, periodically during
b.i.d. or t.i.d.
Decanoate hallucinations, akathisia, tardive dyskinesia therapy.
IM 2–5 mg • Also has • Severe
delusions, (after long-term use);
repeated q4h anticholinergic and intoxication with
Brand Name: disorganized insomnia, restlessness, 2. Monitor BP
prn; Ddecanoate alpha-adrenergic alcohol or any
Haldol, Peridol, thinking, severe anxiety, euphoria, agitation, and pulse prior to
50–100 mg q4wk blocking activity. other drug that
anxiety, seizures drowsiness, mental and frequently
child: acts as a central
Classifications: • Diminished signs and • Treating depression, lethargy, fatigue, during the period of
PO 0.5 mg/d in nervous system
central nervous symptoms of schizophrenia. It is weakness, tremor, ataxia, dosage adjustment.
2–3 divided depressant
system agent; psychoses also used to control headache, confusion, vertigo; May cause QT
psychotherapeutic; doses, may be symptoms • Allergy to neuroleptic malignant interval changes
antipsychotic; increased by 0.5 associated with haloperidol or syndrome, hyperthermia, on ECG.
butyrophenone mg q5–7d to Tourette disorder. It other drugs of grand mal seizures,
0.05–0.15 may also be used for the butyrophene exacerbation of psychotic 3. Observe patient
Pregnancy mg/kg/d other conditions as class symptoms. carefully when
Category: C Severe Psychosis determined by your • Heart disease administering
doctor. CV: Tachycardia, ECG changes, medication, to ensure
that medication is
adult: • Haloperidol is an hypotension, hypertension
actually taken and not
antipsychotic agent. (with overdosage).
PO 3–5 mg b.i.d. hoarded.
Exactly how it works Endocrine: Menstrual
or t.i.d., may irregularities, galactorrhea,
is not known, but it 4. Monitor I&O ratios
need up to 100 lactation, gynecomastia,
may work by and daily eight. Assess
mg/d impotence, increased libido,
blocking certain patient
IM 2–5 mg, may hyponatremia, hyperglycemia,
chemicals in the for signs and symptoms
repeat q.h. prn, hypoglycemia.
brain. of dehydration
Decanoate: 50–
100 mg q4wk
child: Senses: Blurred vision.

PO 0.05–0.15
Hematologic: Mild transient
mg/kg/d in 2–3 leukopenia, agranulocytosis
divided doses (rare).
Dementia
geriatric: GI:Dry mouth, anorexia,
nausea, vomiting,
PO 0.25–0.5 mg
constipation, diarrhea, hyper-
1–2 times daily,
salivation.
may increase
every 4–7 d (max: Urogenital: Urinary retention,
4 mg/d in 2–3 priapism.
divided doses)
Tourette’s Respiratory: Laryngospasm,
Disorder bronchospasm, increased
adult: depth of respiration,
bronchopneumonia,
PO 0.2–5 mg
respiratory depression.
b.i.d. or t.i.d.
child:
Skin: Diaphoresis,
PO 0.05–0.075
maculopapular and acneiform
mg/kg/d in 2–3
rash, photosensitivity.
divided doses

Other: Cholestatic jaundice,

variations in liver function
tests, decreased serum
cholesterol