Haloperidol long-acting injection (haldol decanoate)

Haloperidol long-acting injection (Haldol
Decanoate)
Your doctor or nurse will inject haloperidol into a muscle in your buttocks. Each injection willlast for four weeks.
It is important you keep your regular appointments with your doctor or nurse.
There are a number of side-effects which you may experience from this treatment. If you areconcerned about any of these, you should discuss them with your doctor.
Type of medicine
Easing the symptoms of schizophrenia and other similar mental health problems Also called
Haloperidol decanoate; Haldol Decanoate® Available as
is a serious mental health condition that causes disordered ideas, beliefs and experiences.
Haloperidol is used to relieve the symptoms of schizophrenia and other similar mental health problems. Suchsymptoms can include hearing, seeing, or sensing things that are not real, having mistaken beliefs, and feelingunusually suspicious.
Haloperidol works on the balance of chemical substances which act on the nervous system in your brain.
Long-acting, or 'depot', injections are used once your symptoms have been eased by taking tablets or capsules.
The injection slowly releases haloperidol into your body and is given every four weeks. The main advantage of adepot injection is that you do not have to remember to take tablets every day.
Before having haloperidol long-acting injections Some medicines are not suitable for people with certain conditions, and sometimes a medicine may only be usedif extra care is taken. For these reasons, before you start having haloperidol injections it is important that yourdoctor or pharmacist knows: If you are pregnant, trying for a baby or breast-feeding.
If you have a heart condition or blood vessel disease.
If you have liver, kidney, or prostate problems.
If you have a breathing problems.
If you have any of the following: epilepsy, Parkinson's disease, depression, glaucoma (increasedpressure in your eyes), or myasthenia gravis (this is a condition causing muscle weakness).
If you have ever had jaundice (yellowing of your skin and the whites of your eyes) or a blood disorder.
If you have a condition called phaeochromocytoma (a tumour on your adrenal gland).
If you have ever had an allergic reaction to any medicine.
If you are taking or using any other medicines. This includes any medicines you are taking which areavailable to buy without a prescription, such as herbal and complementary medicines.
How to use haloperidol long-acting injection Before you start this treatment, read the manufacturer's printed information leaflet from inside yourpack. The leaflet will give you more information about haloperidol and a full list of side-effects whichyou may experience from having it.
Haloperidol long-acting injection will be given to you by your doctor or nurse. It is given by injection intoa muscle of your buttocks.
If you haven't received an injection like haloperidol before, a small dose is usually given as a testbefore you have a normal dose. This is to see how well you tolerate the injection.
You may be asked to continue taking your current tablets or capsules for a short while after you havehad your first injection. This is because it can take a few weeks before you feel the full effect from theinjection.
If you miss an appointment for an injection, you should contact your doctor's surgery to make anotherappointment as soon as possible. This is because the injection should be given to you without furtherdelay.
Your treatment will require careful monitoring to make sure that you get the best possible benefit fromhaloperidol. Keep your regular doctor's appointments so your progress can be checked. You will needto have some tests from time to time.
If you are having any dental treatment or an operation, tell the person carrying out the treatment whichmedicines you are taking. This is important because haloperidol may interfere with any anaestheticyou receive.
If you buy or take any 'over-the-counter' medicines, check with a pharmacist that they are suitable foryou to take with haloperidol.
If you drink alcohol, ask your doctor for advice about drinking while you are on haloperidol. Alcohol mayincrease the chance that you experience side-effects and may not be recommended for you.
Smoking may affect the amount of haloperidol in your body. Let your doctor know if you start or stopsmoking while you are having haloperidol.
Haloperidol may cause your skin to become more sensitive to sunlight than normal. Use a sunscreenthat protects against UVA light and has a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 15, especially in strongsunlight or until you know how your skin reacts. Do not use sunbeds.
If you have diabetes you may need to check your blood glucose more frequently, as haloperidol mayaffect the levels of sugar in your blood. Your doctor will be able to advise you about this.
Can haloperidol long-acting injection cause problems? Along with their useful effects, most medicines can cause unwanted side-effects although not everyoneexperiences them. These usually improve as your body adjusts to the new medicine, but speak with your doctoror pharmacist if any of the following side-effects continue or become troublesome.
Common haloperidol side-effects
What can I do if I experience this?
Pain and redness at the site of the injection This should quickly pass. If the areabecomes swollen or 'lumpy', let yourdoctor or nurse know If this happens, do not drive or use toolsor machines. Do not drink alcohol Try chewing sugar-free gum or suckingsugar-free sweets Stick to simple meals - avoid rich orspicy food Drink plenty of water and eat a well-balanced diet Ask your pharmacist to recommend asuitable painkiller. If the headachecontinues, speak with your doctor Feeling shaky or restless, unusual or uncontrollable muscle movements, increased possible about any of these. Yourtreatment may need adjusting Changes in your weight, difficulty sleeping, mood changes, stuffy nose, changes in sexual ability, breast enlargement, production of breast milk, menstrual problems, fast heartbeats, constipation, difficulty passing urine, rash Important: if you experience any 'flu-like' symptoms including any muscle stiffness, a very high temperature,
feeling confused or sweaty, and a fast heartbeat, you must contact your doctor immediately. These may be signs
of a rare but serious condition known as neuroleptic malignant syndrome.
If you experience any other symptoms which you think may be due to this medicine, speak with your doctor orpharmacist.
How to store haloperidol long-acting injection Keep all medicines out of the reach and sight of children.
Store in a cool, dry place, away from direct heat and light.
Important information about all medicines Never take more than the prescribed dose. If you suspect that you or someone else might have taken an overdose of thismedicine, go to the accident and emergency department of your local hospital. Take the container with you, even if it isempty.
This medicine is for you. Never give it to other people even if their condition appears to be the same as yours.
Do not keep out-of-date or unwanted medicines. Take them to your local pharmacy which will dispose of them for you.
If you have any questions about this medicine ask your pharmacist.
; Janssen-Cilag Ltd, The electronic Medicines Compendium. Dated November2011.
British National Formulary; 65th Edition (Mar 2013) British Medical Association and Royal Pharmaceutical Society of GreatBritain, London Disclaimer: This article is for information only and should not be used for the diagnosis or treatment of medical
conditions. EMIS has used all reasonable care in compiling the information but make no warranty as to its
accuracy. Consult a doctor or other health care professional for diagnosis and treatment of medical conditions.
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