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What Are The Possible Side Effects Of Haloperidol?
Question: My daughter 42yrs, suffering from psychoses ( feels people are spying on her: Says I've put cameras to expose her life: ) has been put on the following medication: Haloperidol ( Olanzapine was stopped as she put on too much weight) the dosage is 1.5 ml at night. She also smokes 10 cig/day. What are the side effects?
How long she has to take these drugs?
Is it safe for her to travel alone?
Will she be normal again?
How long she has to take these drugs?
Is it safe for her to travel alone?
Will she be normal again?
Brief Answer:
Little risk of side effects at this dose
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for using Healthcaremagic.
I read your query and understand your concerns.
The side effect of haloperidol include dystonia, tremor, dizziness, hypotension, nausea, vomiting, restlessness, headache, dry mouth, constiptation, urinary retention, tariff dyskinesia (on long term use) and many others.
I would say there is long list of side effects but for the 1.5 mg dose the chance of side effects occurring is almost nil or minimal.
Regarding duration of intake it depends on the multiple factors including diagnosis, symptoms, response to treatment, ongoing stressors. Typically a patient need to take medication for at least 9-12 months after the first episode of psychosis. In case it recurs the person need to take treatment for atleast two years and in case there is third episode she may need to take treatment for five years or more.
Regarding your question about travel as per my knowledge many patients come alone for treatment but it varies from person to person. In case she have ongoing symptoms it is not safe to travel alone.
With the current available treatment options more than two third of the patients live a near normal life which includes symptom free and independently. In addition late onset of psychosis (after 30 years) and female sex are indicator of better outcome in future. Considering her age and sex I feel there is good possibility of becoming alright.
I hope this helps you.
If you have more questions feel free to write back to me.
If not, you may close the discussion and if possible you may rate the answer for my future patients.
In future if you wish to contact me directly, you can use the below mentioned link:
http://doctor.healthcaremagic.com/doctors/dr-ashok-kumar/67386
Thanks and regards.
Little risk of side effects at this dose
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for using Healthcaremagic.
I read your query and understand your concerns.
The side effect of haloperidol include dystonia, tremor, dizziness, hypotension, nausea, vomiting, restlessness, headache, dry mouth, constiptation, urinary retention, tariff dyskinesia (on long term use) and many others.
I would say there is long list of side effects but for the 1.5 mg dose the chance of side effects occurring is almost nil or minimal.
Regarding duration of intake it depends on the multiple factors including diagnosis, symptoms, response to treatment, ongoing stressors. Typically a patient need to take medication for at least 9-12 months after the first episode of psychosis. In case it recurs the person need to take treatment for atleast two years and in case there is third episode she may need to take treatment for five years or more.
Regarding your question about travel as per my knowledge many patients come alone for treatment but it varies from person to person. In case she have ongoing symptoms it is not safe to travel alone.
With the current available treatment options more than two third of the patients live a near normal life which includes symptom free and independently. In addition late onset of psychosis (after 30 years) and female sex are indicator of better outcome in future. Considering her age and sex I feel there is good possibility of becoming alright.
I hope this helps you.
If you have more questions feel free to write back to me.
If not, you may close the discussion and if possible you may rate the answer for my future patients.
In future if you wish to contact me directly, you can use the below mentioned link:
http://doctor.healthcaremagic.com/doctors/dr-ashok-kumar/67386
Thanks and regards.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Raju A.T
Is this medication enough? Does the person suffer "episodes" and something triggers it? Can we control that? When do they need admission? Please clarify and let me know how to make life normal for her and people around her.
Thanx
Thanx
Brief Answer:
Please read below
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for reverting back tome.
The dose of haloperidol in psychosis ranges from 1.5 mg to 20 mg per day and every patient responds differently. In case she is asymptomatic the dose can be considered adequate. If she still have symptoms probably the dose need to be increased.
Around 40-60% of patients with psychosis have episodes and others may have continuous illness. Although the triggers are not identified well it is often said that any kind of stressor could lead to relapse.
I thin life situations are not under control and they occur in everyones life irrespective of illness.
They need admission when the things can not be controlled at home or specifically when there is risk to the patient or others. Infact it depends on the severity.
The most important thing to make her life normal is to follow doctors advice. Continue the treatment as delineated by your doctor. In addition never discriminate patient on basis of her illness. Third keep the expressed emotions under control and avoid criticizing patient for minor errors.
I hope this helps you further.
Thanks and regards
Please read below
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for reverting back tome.
The dose of haloperidol in psychosis ranges from 1.5 mg to 20 mg per day and every patient responds differently. In case she is asymptomatic the dose can be considered adequate. If she still have symptoms probably the dose need to be increased.
Around 40-60% of patients with psychosis have episodes and others may have continuous illness. Although the triggers are not identified well it is often said that any kind of stressor could lead to relapse.
I thin life situations are not under control and they occur in everyones life irrespective of illness.
They need admission when the things can not be controlled at home or specifically when there is risk to the patient or others. Infact it depends on the severity.
The most important thing to make her life normal is to follow doctors advice. Continue the treatment as delineated by your doctor. In addition never discriminate patient on basis of her illness. Third keep the expressed emotions under control and avoid criticizing patient for minor errors.
I hope this helps you further.
Thanks and regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Nagamani Ng
Do these persons remember what they say, do or write during these episodes? Are they donning another personality? Once again I ask if smoking slows down the treatment.
Is there any food they should avoid? Its odd that they come down on family members but are fine with friends and visitors.
Please respond to all.
Is there any food they should avoid? Its odd that they come down on family members but are fine with friends and visitors.
Please respond to all.
Brief Answer:
YES THEY REMEMBER
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for reverting back to me.
Since patients remain with perfect consciousness they remember it perfectly although out of shame they may deny in future.
Psychosis have nothing to do with change in personality and continue to have same personality. Having said this few of them have deterioration in personality due to ongoing illness.
Yes smoking interfares with the enzymes involved in the metabolism of medication and thus affects treatment.
Foods rich in fats and sugars to be avoided although it is not necessary.
Rehgarding your last question it is because they see threats in vicinity and family members are most close to patient.
I hope this helps you further.
Thanks again.
YES THEY REMEMBER
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for reverting back to me.
Since patients remain with perfect consciousness they remember it perfectly although out of shame they may deny in future.
Psychosis have nothing to do with change in personality and continue to have same personality. Having said this few of them have deterioration in personality due to ongoing illness.
Yes smoking interfares with the enzymes involved in the metabolism of medication and thus affects treatment.
Foods rich in fats and sugars to be avoided although it is not necessary.
Rehgarding your last question it is because they see threats in vicinity and family members are most close to patient.
I hope this helps you further.
Thanks again.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Remy Koshy
Thanx a lot Dr. Perhaps you should also tell me the dos and don'ts in handling the person. Sometimes it is quite aggravating as family members are blamed for the situation of the person!
Regards
Regards
Brief Answer:
Not to take her comments with face value
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for reverting back to me.
I am really glad to know that you are well concerned with well being of patient but I think every patient differs and need specific do and don'ts.
Having said this I will like to comment following on this.
Behave as human and never to discriminate
Ignore something which is annoying
Never blame patient
Regular medication
Extend supporting hand
Offer as companionship rather than opposite
Distract from disturbing situations
Respect patient
Communicate
I hope this helps you further.
In case you have more questions feel free to contact me using my url which is as follows.
http://doctor.healthcaremagic.com/doctors/dr-ashok-kumar/67386
Thanks and regards.
Not to take her comments with face value
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for reverting back to me.
I am really glad to know that you are well concerned with well being of patient but I think every patient differs and need specific do and don'ts.
Having said this I will like to comment following on this.
Behave as human and never to discriminate
Ignore something which is annoying
Never blame patient
Regular medication
Extend supporting hand
Offer as companionship rather than opposite
Distract from disturbing situations
Respect patient
Communicate
I hope this helps you further.
In case you have more questions feel free to contact me using my url which is as follows.
http://doctor.healthcaremagic.com/doctors/dr-ashok-kumar/67386
Thanks and regards.
Note: For further guidance on mental health, Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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