haloperidol
see TRANQUILLIZER .
Haloperidol is used to manage psychotic disorders (mental illness that cause disturbed or unusual thinking, loss of interest in life, and strong or inappropriate emotions). It is also used to control motor tics (uncontrollable need to repeat certain body movements) and verbal tics (uncontrollable need to repeat sounds or words) in people who have Tourette's disorder (condition characterized by motor or verbal tics). Haloperidol is in a group of medications called antipsychotics. It works by changing the activity of certain natural substances.
Full drug information on MedlinePlus →This is general information, not medical advice. Pregnancy and breastfeeding decisions should always be made with your healthcare provider.
Can taking haloperidol affect fertility or make it harder to get pregnant?
Haloperidol can raise blood levels of prolactin, a hormone involved in milk production. This condition, called hyperprolactinemia, may make it harder to become pregnant. If you have concerns about fertility while taking haloperidol, it is best to discuss them with your healthcare provider.
Does taking haloperidol increase the risk of miscarriage?
Miscarriage can happen in any pregnancy for many reasons. The source notes that no human studies have evaluated whether haloperidol increases the chance of miscarriage, and animal studies do not suggest an increased chance. Any individual questions about this should be discussed with your healthcare provider.
Does taking haloperidol increase the risk of birth defects?
Every pregnancy starts with a 3–5% background risk of birth defects. According to the reviewed studies in the source, haloperidol is not expected to raise the chance of birth defects above the background risk, although there are two case reports of limb defects in babies exposed to haloperidol along with other medications. It is not known whether haloperidol, other medications, or other factors were involved, and these questions are best discussed with your healthcare provider.
Can taking haloperidol during pregnancy cause other pregnancy-related complications?
The source reports that haloperidol is not generally expected to increase the chance of complications such as preterm birth or low birth weight, though one study did report higher rates of these outcomes. The study authors noted that other important factors were not accounted for, so it is unclear whether haloperidol, other medications, or other factors contributed. The source also notes reports of newborn withdrawal-type symptoms (such as low muscle tone, restlessness, tremors, feeding difficulties, or unusual sleep patterns) after exposure late in pregnancy, which is helpful to discuss with your healthcare provider.
Can taking haloperidol during pregnancy affect the child's brain development, learning, or behavior?
According to the source, it is not known whether haloperidol increases the chance of behavioral or learning problems in the child, as the available information is limited. Questions about long-term child development are best discussed with your healthcare provider.
Is it safe to breastfeed while taking haloperidol?
The source states that information on haloperidol use during breastfeeding is limited. Haloperidol does pass into breast milk, and most breastfed babies exposed do not show symptoms; however, one report described a breastfed infant with feeding difficulties, excessive sleepiness, and slowed movements after exposure to haloperidol combined with risperidone, with symptoms resolving after breastfeeding stopped. Decisions about breastfeeding while taking haloperidol should be made together with your healthcare provider, and any symptoms in the baby (such as drowsiness) should be reported to the baby's provider.
Source: National Library of Medicine
haloperidol