Haloperidol Decanoate (ha-loe-PER-i-dole de-KAN-oh-ate)

Treats mental disorders such as schizophrenia.

Brand Name(s):

Haldol Decanoate

When This Medicine Should Not Be Used:

How to Use This Medicine:

Injectable

• Your doctor will prescribe your exact dose and tell you how often it should be given. This medicine is given as a shot into one of your muscles.
• A nurse or other trained health professional will give you this medicine.

If a dose is missed:

• Call your doctor or pharmacist for instructions.

How to Store and Dispose of This Medicine:

• Throw away used needles in a hard, closed container that the needles cannot poke through. Keep this container away from children and pets.
• If you store this medicine at home, keep it at room temperature, away from heat and direct light.
• Ask your pharmacist, doctor, or health caregiver about the best way to dispose of any leftover medicine, containers, and other supplies. You will also need to throw away old medicine after the expiration date has passed.

Drugs and Foods to Avoid:

Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.

• Make sure your doctor knows if you are also using lithium, a blood thinner such as warfarin (Coumadin®), or medicine for seizures.
• Do not drink alcohol while you are using this medicine.
• Tell your doctor if you are using any medicines that make you sleepy. These include sleeping pills, cold and allergy medicine, narcotic pain relievers, and sedatives.

Warnings While Using This Medicine:

• Make sure your doctor knows if you are pregnant or breast feeding.
• This medicine may make you drowsy or dizzy. Avoid driving, using machines, or doing anything else that could be dangerous if you are not alert.
• Let your doctor know if you develop jerky muscle movements you cannot control (often in your face, tongue, or jaw).

Possible Side Effects While Using This Medicine:

Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:

• Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing.
• Blood in your urine.
• Decreased thirst.
• Fast or uneven heartbeat.
• Fatigue
• Fever, sweating, or confusion.
• Light-headedness or fainting.
• Muscle stiffness.
• Problems with balance or walking.
• Seizures (convulsions).
• Tremors or movements that you cannot control in the tongue, face, neck, jaw, or eyes
• Trouble breathing, blurred vision.
• Yellowing of skin or eyes.

If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:

• Decrease in how much or how often you urinate.
• Dry mouth, cough or headache.
• Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea
• Pain in the breast, irregular menstrual periods.
• Skin rash, sunburn or pain at the injection site.
• Trouble having sex, or increased development of your breasts (in men).