Haloperidol decanoate Injectable

Generic Name: Haloperidol

Brand Names:

Availability: Available with Prescription

Drug Class: Antipsychotics

Therapeutic action

  • Long-acting antipsychotic

Indications

  • Chronic psychosis, maintenance therapy after stabilisation with oral haloperidol

Forms and strengths, route of administration

  • 50 mg in 1 ml ampoule (50 mg/ml) for IM injection DO NOT ADMINISTER BY IV INJECTION.

Dosage and duration

Adult: one injection every 3 to 4 weeks

The initial dose of haloperidol decanoate corresponds to approximately 10 times the daily dose of oral haloperidol.

Daily dose oral haloperidolMonthly dose haloperidol decanoate IM50 mg solution haloperidol decanoate IM
2.5 mg25mg½amp
5 mg50mg1amp
10 mg100 mg2amp
15 mg150 mg3amp

Contra-indications,adverse effects, precautions

  • Do not administer to patients with cardiac disorders (cardiac failure, recent myocardial infarction, conduction disorders, bradycardia, etc.), dementia (e.g. Alzheimer's disease), Parkinson's disease and history of neuroleptic malignant syndrome.
  • Administer with caution and carefully monitor use in older patients and patients with hypokalaemia, hypotension, hyperthyroidism, renal or hepatic impairment, history of seizures.
  • May cause: drowsiness (caution when driving/operating machinery), extrapyramidal syndrome, early or tardivedy skinesia, constipation, dry mouth, sexual dysfunction, QT-prolongation, ventricular arrhythmia, orthostatic hypotension.
  • In case of extrapyramidal symptoms, try reducing the dose of haloperidol decanoate or, if the extrapyramidal symptoms are severe, add biperiden or trihexyphenidyl.
  • Avoid or monitor combination with:
    • fluoxetine, paroxetine, sertraline, promethazine, ritonavir(increased plasma concentrations of haloperidol);
    • carbamazepine, rifampicin, phenobarbital, phenytoin (decreased plasma concentrations of haloperidol);
    • drugs that prolong the QT interval(amiodarone, chloroquine, erythromycin, fluconazole, mefloquine, pentamidine, quinine,etc.).
  • Avoid alcohol during treatment (increased risk of adverse effects). 
  • Avoid in women of childbearing age or offer effective contraception. 
  • Pregnancy and breastfeeding: avoid

Remarks

  • Change buttock for each injection.

Storage

– Below 25 °C