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Why is this drug prescribed?

This drug contains the active ingredient haloperidol, which is a type of drug known as an antipsychotic. It belongs to the butyrophenone group of the older 'typical' antipsychotics. It is sometimes described as a neuroleptic or a 'major tranquilliser', though this last term is fairly misleading, as this type of drug is not just a tranquilliser, but has many actions in a variety of mental illnesses. Haloperidol works by blocking a variety of receptors in the brain, particularly dopamine receptors. Dopamine is a natural compound called a neurotransmitter, and is involved in transmitting messages between brain cells. Psychotic illness, and particularly schizophrenia, is considered to be caused by overactivity of dopamine in the brain. Haloperidol blocks the receptors that dopamine acts on, and this prevents the overactivity of dopamine in the brain. This helps to control psychotic illness. Haloperidol improves disturbed thoughts, feelings and behaviour in various mental conditions, including schizophrenia, mania, and behavioural disorders that involve aggression or severe agitation or excitement. It produces a calming effect and controls aggression, delusions and hallucinations. Haloperidol is also used to treat Tourette's syndrome, which is a condition involving involuntary muscle twitching and obscene speech. Haloperidol also affects receptors in an area of the brain that controls nausea and vomiting. For this reason, it is sometimes used to provide relief from nausea and vomiting, though this is uncommon these days as there are other drugs available. Haloperidol is also effective in treating persistant hiccups, though how it works in this case is unclear.

Treatments

* Agitation and restlessness in the elderly * Childhood behavioural disorders, especially when associated with aggression and hyperactivity * Mental or behavioural problems, eg aggression, hyperactivity, self-mutilation, in people with brain damage or mental retardation * Moderate to severe agitation, excitement, violent or dangerously impulsive behaviour * Nausea and vomiting * Persistant hiccups * Psychotic illness * Schizophrenia * Severe involuntary muscle twitches * Syndrome characterised by involuntary repetition of speech, particularly obscene or vulgar words * Treatment of mania and hypomania

What side effects can this drug cause?

* Headache * Blurred vision * Faster than normal heart beat * Dry mouth * Difficulty in sleeping * Drowsiness * Confusion * Blood disorders * Abnormal heart beats * Low blood pressure * Seizures * Difficulty in passing urine * Abnormal movements of the hands, legs, face, neck and tongue, eg tremor, twitching, rigidity * Increased salivation * High blood prolactin level. Sometimes this can lead to symptoms such as breast enlargement, production of milk and stopping of menstrual periods. * Rhythmical involuntary movement of the tongue, face, mouth and jaw, which may sometimes be accompanied by involuntary movements of the arms and legs * Uncontrolled rolling of the eyes and neck. Requires immediate treatment. * High temperature combined with falling levels of consciousness, paleness, sweating and a fast heart beat. Requires stopping the drug and immediate medical treatment. * Anxiety, restlessness and agitation * Disturbances of the gut such as constipation, indigestion, nausea, vomiting or abdominal pain