Indications & formulation #
Adult psychotic disorders; not an injectable rapid-tranquillization protocol. This reference covers the selected formulation; other indications and products need their own evidence.
Dose reference #
Adult educational reference · Oral tablet · United States. The clinician selects treatment after assessment; this page does not calculate or change a prescription.
The selected oral label describes 0.5–2 mg two or three times daily for moderate symptoms. Severe illness requires specialist reassessment; no universal high-dose target is inferred.
Contraindications & important cautions #
Avoid in severe CNS depression/coma and Parkinson disease. Review QT prolongation, dystonia, akathisia and neuroleptic malignant syndrome.
Selected important cautions; consult the full product information for all contraindications and warnings.
Adverse effects #
Extrapyramidal symptoms, akathisia, prolactin effects, QT-related concerns and neuroleptic malignant syndrome require context.
Interactions #
Review QT-prolonging combinations, electrolyte disturbance and metabolic modifiers; route and product instructions matter.
Monitoring #
Assess movements, restlessness, cardiac context and target symptoms. Acute agitation requires examination and local protocols.
Special populations #
Use lower, cautious dosing in older/debilitated patients; dementia-related psychosis carries excess mortality risk.
Adult scope. Pregnancy, breastfeeding and pediatric use require the exact product’s population-specific guidance and individual assessment.
Discontinuation, restarting & counseling #
Plan a supervised reduction and monitor recurrence and withdrawal-emergent movements.
Condition-specific prescribing #
Additional indication-specific records retain their own formulation and source context.
Haloperidol
Short-term acute delirium symptoms after non-drug measures fail
Adults · Oral solution, 10 mg/5 mL; dose expressed in mg · Oral · UK product label and NICE; this is not an Indian label determination.
- Starting dose
- Lowest adult label dose is 1 mg/day; older adults start at half the lowest adult dose (0.5 mg/day).
- Titration
- Label permits adjustment at 2–4-hour intervals if agitation persists; use cautious smaller increments, especially in older adults.
- Treatment range / target
- Adult label: 1–10 mg/day, once daily or in 2–3 divided doses.
- Maximum / limits
- 10 mg/day for adult delirium; older-adult label maximum 5 mg/day, not a target.
- Trial & duration
- Shortest effective course; NICE usually 1 week or less.
- Monitoring
- ECG, electrolytes, orthostasis, alertness, rigidity, akathisia and swallowing.
- Population & organ-function adjustments
- Hepatic impairment: halve initial dose and titrate more slowly. Severe renal impairment may require a lower start and smaller increments.
- Important cautions
- Contraindicated with Parkinson disease, Lewy body dementia, known QT prolongation, uncorrected hypokalaemia or interacting QT-prolonging drugs. Not a withdrawal-delirium monotherapy.
Brands & products #
Historical catalogue observations. Prices and catalogue presence do not establish current availability or Indian approval.
Reference coverage #
Structured summary of selected adult uses, not an exhaustive monograph. Indian product authorization and local prescribing requirements have not been reconciled.
References · 4
- Haloperidol — Oral tablet — selected prescribing information · United States · Checked 2026-10-27 · Selected formulation: Oral tablet · Supports indications, dose, cautions, adverse effects, interactions, monitoring, special populations and stopping. Source sections: Indications and usage; Dosage and administration; Contraindications; warnings and precautions; Use in specific populations; patient counseling
- Haloperidol 10 mg/5 mL oral solution SmPC · United Kingdom · Checked 2026-10-26 · Supports: Haloperidol — Short-term acute delirium symptoms after non-drug measures fail (Oral solution, 10 mg/5 mL; dose expressed in mg)
- NICE CG103: delirium · United Kingdom · Checked 2026-10-26 · Supports: Haloperidol — Short-term acute delirium symptoms after non-drug measures fail (Oral solution, 10 mg/5 mL; dose expressed in mg)
- MHRA: haloperidol for delirium in older adults · United Kingdom · Checked 2026-10-26 · Supports: Haloperidol — Short-term acute delirium symptoms after non-drug measures fail (Oral solution, 10 mg/5 mL; dose expressed in mg)