Haloperidol

About haloperidol

Haloperidol is used to relieve the symptoms of schizofrenia and other problems which affect the way you think, feel or behave. These problems may make you hear, see or sense things that are not there, or believe things that are not true, or feel unusually suspicious. If you are taking haloperidol for these reasons, you may be prescribed tablets or capsules to take for a short while to get your symptoms under control, and then a long-acting, or 'depot', injection may be recommended for you. There is a separate medicine leaflet called Iniezione a lunga durata di aloperidolo which gives more information about this.

Haloperidol is also used for tics (movements which can't be controlled), sickness associated with advanced or terminal illnesses, and to treat persistent hiccups.

Before taking haloperidol

Some medicines are not suitable for people with certain conditions, and sometimes a medicine may only be used if extra care is taken. For these reasons, before you start taking haloperidol it is important that your doctor or pharmacist knows:

• Se sei incinta, stai cercando di avere un bambino o stai allattando.

• If you have a heart condition or blood vessel problems.

• Se hai problemi al fegato, ai reni o alla prostata.

• Se hai problemi respiratori.

• If you have any of the following: epilepsy, Parkinson's disease, depression, increased pressure in your eyes (glaucoma), or a condition causing muscle weakness, called myasthenia gravis.

• If you have ever had yellowing of your skin or the whites of the eyes (jaundice), or a blood disorder.

• If you have a tumour on your adrenal gland (phaeochromocytoma).

• If you have been told you have low levels of salts (electrolytes) in your blood.

• Se hai mai avuto una reazione allergica a qualsiasi medicinale.

• Se stai assumendo o utilizzando altri medicinali. Questo include qualsiasi medicinale che stai assumendo e che è disponibile per l'acquisto senza prescrizione, così come i medicinali a base di erbe e complementari.

How to take haloperidol

• Before you start this treatment, read the manufacturer's printed information leaflet from inside your pack. The leaflet will give you more information about haloperidol and a full list of possible side-effects from taking it.

• Take haloperidol exactly as your doctor has told you to. You will be told what dose to take and when to take it, as this will depend upon the reason why you are taking haloperidol.

• When you first start taking haloperidol your doctor may give you a small dose and then gradually increase it. This will make sure that you have the dose that helps your condition and avoids any unwanted symptoms.

• You can take haloperidol before or after your meals. Swallow the dose with a drink of water.

• Try to take your doses at the same time of day each day, as this will help you to remember to take them.

• Se dimentichi di prendere una dose, assumerla appena te ne ricordi. Tuttavia, se quando te ne ricordi è quasi ora della tua prossima dose, salta quella dimenticata. Non assumere due dosi insieme per compensare una dose mancante.

Ottenere il massimo dal tuo trattamento

• Your treatment will require careful monitoring to make sure that you get the best possible benefit from haloperidol. Keep your regular doctor's appointments so your progress can be checked. You will need to have some tests from time to time.

• Treatment with haloperidol for schizophrenia is usually long-term unless you experience an adverse effect. Keep taking it until your doctor tells you otherwise. Stopping suddenly can cause problems and your doctor may want you to reduce your dose gradually if this is necessary. If you have been given haloperidol to relieve severe agitation or anxiety, it will be given to you for a short time only until your symptoms have eased.

• Haloperidol may cause your skin to become more sensitive to sunlight than normal. Use a sunscreen that protects against UVA light and has a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 15, especially in strong sunlight or until you know how your skin reacts. Do not use sunbeds.

• If you are having an operation or any dental treatment, tell the person carrying out the treatment which medicines you are taking. This is important because haloperidol may interfere with any anaesthetic you receive.

• If you buy or take any 'over-the-counter' medicines, check with a pharmacist that they are suitable to take with haloperidol.

• If you drink alcohol, ask your doctor for advice about drinking while you are on haloperidol. Alcohol may increase the chance that you experience side-effects and may not be recommended for you.

• Smoking may affect the amount of haloperidol in your body. Let your doctor know if you start or stop smoking while you are taking haloperidol.

• If you have diabetes check your blood glucose levels regularly, as haloperidol may affect the levels of sugar in your blood.

Can haloperidol cause problems?

Oltre ai loro effetti benefici, la maggior parte dei farmaci può causare effetti collaterali indesiderati, anche se non tutti li sperimentano. Questi di solito migliorano man mano che il tuo corpo si adatta al nuovo farmaco, ma parla con il tuo medico o farmacista se uno dei seguenti effetti collaterali persiste o diventa fastidioso.

Importante: if you experience any 'flu-like' symptoms including muscle stiffness, a very high temperature, confusion, a fast heartbeat, and sweating, you must contact your doctor immediately. These may be signs of a rare but serious condition known as neuroleptic malignant syndrome.

Se si verificano altri sintomi che ritieni possano essere dovuti a questo medicinale, parla con il tuo medico o farmacista.

How to store haloperidol

• Tenere tutti i medicinali fuori dalla vista e dalla portata dei bambini.

• Conservare in un luogo fresco e asciutto, lontano da fonti di calore e luce diretta.
  

Informazioni importanti su tutti i medicinali