Haloperidol is an anti-psychotic that can be used to help treat certain kinds of mental disorders as well as help control symptoms of Tourette syndrome. More specifically, it can help with psychosis, schizophrenia, and bipolar disorder. Haloperidol works by lowering the levels of the chemical dopamine in the brain, which helps treat psychosis.

A prescription is needed for this medication, and it is commonly known as Haldol Decanoate. Also, it can be given in different forms: as an oral tablet, an oral solution, or an injection. For this article we will be examining the oral tablet form of haloperidol. Also, we will observe how this medication is connected to helping fibromyalgia patients.

Please note that I am not a doctor. This article has undergone extensive research, but it should not replace your doctor’s expertise and advice. Contact your doctor for any other questions you may have.

Warnings

As with other medications, haloperidol has some warnings. If you have any questions or concerns, reach out to your doctor. Here is a list of warnings:

• Allergies: Let your doctor know if you have had any allergic reactions to this or other medications. Stop taking haloperidol immediately if you experience any severe reactions, such as difficulty breathing, swelling of the tongue or mouth, or hives. If you believe you are experiencing a severe allergic reaction to haloperidol, call 911 immediately.
• Pregnancy: There may be possible risks associated with this medication while pregnant. However, your doctor may recommend haloperidol depending on if the potential benefit outweighs the potential risk to the fetus. Contact your doctor for the best option for your condition. Let your doctor know if you are pregnant or become pregnant. Also, please note that you should avoid breastfeeding to your child while using this medication.
• Alcohol: Do not drink alcohol while using this medication. Consuming alcohol while taking haloperidol can cause serious side effects and cause your blood pressure to decrease.
• Children: Keep this medication out of children’s reach. It is not approved for children under the age of 3 years old.
• Seniors: If you are 65 years or older, the effects of haloperidol may be stronger. It is possible to be more at risk for side effects, including movement disorders, such as tardive dyskinesia.
• Other conditions: There are certain conditions that may negatively interact with this medication. If you have Parkinson’s disease, low white blood cell counts, or thyrotoxicosis, do not take haloperidol as it could lead to more serious symptoms. Let your doctor know of any other medical conditions you have in order to discern more accurately what treatment options are best for you.

Side Effects

There are several side effects of haloperidol. Here is a list of more common symptoms:

• drowsiness
• anxiety
• agitation
• difficulty sleeping
• nausea
• constipation
• diarrhea
• weight gain
• dry mouth
• decreased sexual activity
• change in menstrual cycle

There are certain side effects that are more serious than the ones listed above. Also, if you experience serious side effects, contact your doctor immediately. More serious side effects include:

• jaundice
• tardive dyskinesia
• dystonia
• blurred vision
• low blood pressure
• irregular heart beat
• heart problems
• seizures
• stiffness
• swelling
• trembling

If you have side effects that persist over a long period of time or become severe, stop taking haloperidol and call your doctor. However, if your side effects appear to be life threatening call 911 immediately. For a full list of side effects, visit Medicine Net.

Uses of Haloperidol: Fibromyalgia

As mentioned earlier, haloperidol can help treat certain conditions, including disruptive disorders and behavior problems. However, it can also help treat fibromyalgia. In fact, studies have found that Haldol that has active ingredients of haloperidol that can help patients with Fibromyalgia.

How does it treat Fibromyalgia?

Not only does haloperidol help treat some mental health conditions, it can also treat chronic pain as well. This relates directly to fibromyalgia because of the related symptoms including mental health problems, such as anxiety or depression, as well as chronic pain. There are some studies that have been conducted involving the effects of anti-psychotics and how they can help treat both acute and chronic pain in adults.

Additionally, there are different online discussion spaces that offer a way for patients and individuals to talk about their experience of fibromyalgia and haloperidol. Individuals with fibromyalgia who have experienced using this medicine discuss their different reactions on ProHealth and Treato. If you are looking to see what other people think of haloperidol, you can always participate in other online conversations as well.

Talk to your doctor about other methods or treatment options to find out if this medication is right for you. Also, please note there have been some cases in which haloperidol has had negative effects or severe side effects. Haloperidol may not be right for everyone.

 

The preceding article is from RedOrbit.com and posted here for sharing purposes only. No copyright infringement is intended.