Can Haldol Be Taken For Insomnia?

Posted on Fri, 10 Oct 2014

Question: I have really problematic insomnia that is affecting my daily life. I have tried several medications including geodan. this med make me extremely irritale and make the insomnia worse. I would like to try haldol if possible Thanks

Answered by Dr. Suresh Heijebu (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Long acting benzodiazepines will help

Detailed Answer:
Hi,Madam,
I have carefully read your query and understand your concern.

Sleep disturbances are quite common in the Bipolar affective disorders/BPD and are quite tough to respond to therapy.

You are currently placed on short acting non benzodiazepine drugs like Lunesta,
Sonata,and Ambien.

These short acting drugs can cause insomia,even though they are prescribed for treating sleep deficiency.

I recommend long acting benzodiazepine drugs like Lorazepam and Clonazepam for the treatment of insomnia associated with maniac phase of BPD.

These drugs have excellent activity in normalizing the sleep pattern.

NOTE:These drugs have to be taken only under strict medical supervision.

Haldol can worsen the sleep pattern and can cause insomnia and other side effects since its a first generation drug.

As you are on second gen drugs like Seroquel and Geodan which are much safer and more effective,introducing Haldol will not be a wise option.

Instead LIthium can be a relatively a better option.

NOTE.This drug should be used on under strict medical supervision .

I hope this info is helpful to you
Thank you

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj

Follow up: Dr. Suresh Heijebu (2 hours later)

Could you give me a prescription for linesman and phenergan. I can try them if its okay. I had even thought about thorazine?

Maybe thorazine cause it helps with anxiety. Sorry for spelling lunesta incorrectly. Thank you for you're time

I also wanted to inquire about versed or valium

Answered by Dr. Suresh Heijebu (7 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Clonazepam is safe over valium

Detailed Answer:
HI, Madam
Yes you can certainly use phenergan,its a first generation antihistaminic.It can be used in doses of 12.5/25mg once or twice a day.Consult your treating doctor with regards to its prescription.

It can cause dry mouth,urine retention and constipation.

Thorazine is associated with high degree of adverse reactions like motor imbalances.

Anxiety can better be controlled by long acting benzodiazepines like Lorazepam and clonazepam.

These are the first choice drugs in the management of insomnia and anxiety together.
Discuss all about this your treating doctor.

Valium even though a benzodiazepine is relatively a a very long acting drug that can cause prolonged daytime sleepiness

I hope this info is helpful to you.
Thank you

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Bhagyalaxmi Nalaparaju