Haldol (Haloperidol) for Alzheimer's

Overview
Haldol is a prescription drug approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of schizophrenia and Tourette’s Disorder. Haldol is also known by its drug name, Haloperidol. Haldol is sometimes prescribed to treat sleep disorders, hallucinations, agitation, aggression, lack of cooperativeness, delusions, and hostility in people with Alzheimer’s disease. Haldol may be considered in cases where non-drug approaches have failed to address these symptoms. Since the FDA has not approved Haldol specifically for this usage, it is considered “off-label.”

Haldol is an antipsychotic, a drug that is used to manage psychiatric problems such as delusions and disordered thoughts. Haldol is believed to work by blocking dopamine in certain pathways of the brain.

How do I take it?
Haldol is generally taken two or three times a day.

Haldol is available in tablet, concentrated liquid, and injectable solution forms.

Side effects
The FDA-approved label for Haldol lists common side effects including dizziness, nausea, vomiting, dry mouth, headache, restlessness, anxiety, rash, abnormal eye movements, movement disorders, difficulty urinating, urinating less frequently, spinning sensation, and lack of interest in sex.

Rare but serious side effects listed for Haldol can include increased risk of death in older adults with dementia.