Bipolar Disorder Treatment Medications Potential Side Effects of Haldol (Haloperidol) By Marcia Purse Marcia Purse is a mental health writer and bipolar disorder advocate who brings strong research skills and personal experiences to her writing. Learn about our editorial process Marcia Purse Medically reviewed by Medically reviewed by Steven Gans, MD on January 31, 2020 Steven Gans, MD is board-certified in psychiatry and is an active supervisor, teacher, and mentor at Massachusetts General Hospital. Learn about our Review Board Steven Gans, MD Updated on February 13, 2021 Print moodboard Collection / Brand X Pictures / Getty Images Haldol (haloperidol) is a typical antipsychotic drug effectively used in the management of mania, agitation, and psychosis in various mental illnesses, including bipolar disorder. While Haldol can be an effective treatment, it also carries the risk of significant side effects. A person who is taking Haldol and their loved one should be aware of the potential side effects, some of which are medical emergencies. Haldol is not approved for the treatment of dementia-related psychosis in older adults. The FDA issued a black box warning on all antipsychotic drugs due to the increased risk of death in this population. Most deaths were caused by either a cardiovascular event (heart failure, sudden death) or an infection (pneumonia). Haloperidol Side Effects Unfortunately, all of the drugs used to treat psychosis carry some risk for side effects. Choosing a medication to treat psychosis is often a process of choosing which side effects you are most able to tolerate. Haldol side effects may range from mild to severe, with some side effects requiring immediate medical attention. It's essential that you let your doctor know if you have any physical changes that concern you while taking the medication. Less Serious Side Effects There are several less serious side effects that people may experience while using Haldol. Though these side effects are not an emergency and don't usually mean that you need to stop the medication, talk to your doctor if you find them bothersome. There are sometimes measures you can take to manage these side effects. More common mild side effects include: Blurred vision Breast swelling or pain in women Changes in menstrual period Constipation Mouth dryness Unusual secretion of milk from breasts Weight gain Less common mild side effects include: Decreased sexual ability Drowsiness Increased sun sensitivity (involving skin rash, itching, redness or other skin discoloration, or severe sunburn) Nausea or vomiting Potentially Serious Side Effects Some of the following side effects may be less serious, but should prompt you to call your doctor as soon as possible. More common serious side effects include: Difficulty in speaking or swallowing Inability to move eyes Loss of balance control Mask-like face Muscle spasms, especially in the neck and back Severe restlessness or need to keep moving Shuffling walk Stiffness of arms and legs Trembling and shaking of fingers and hands Twisting body movements Weakness of arms and legs Less common serious side effects include: Decreased thirst Difficulty urinating Dizziness, lightheadedness, or fainting Hallucinations Lip-smacking or puckering Puffing of cheeks Rapid or worm-like tongue movements Skin rash Uncontrolled arm and leg movements Uncontrolled chewing movements Rare but serious side effects: Confusion Hot, dry skin, or lack of sweating Increased blinking or eyelid spasms Muscle weakness Sore throat and fever Uncontrolled twisting movements of neck, trunk, arms, or legs Unusual bleeding or bruising Unusual facial expressions or body positions Yellow eyes or skin (jaundice) Emergency Side Effects There are some side effects of Haldol that while uncommon, are potentially extremely serious. If you note any of these side effects, stop taking Haldol and seek help immediately. In the case of some of these side effects, such as seizures, you may be unable to call yourself. Make sure that your friends and loved ones know about these possible side effects and to call for help if they should see you experiencing any of them. Potential emergency side effects include: Convulsions (seizures from neuroleptic malignant syndrome) Difficult or fast breathing Fast heartbeat or irregular pulse High fever Increased sweating Low blood pressure Severe muscle stiffness Unusually pale skin Tardive Dyskinesia With Haldol Haldol can cause a movement disorder called tardive dyskinesia. This disorder is thought to occur due to an increased brain sensitivity to the neurotransmitter dopamine. Signs of tardive dyskinesia include fine, worm-like movements of the tongue, or other uncontrolled movements of the mouth, tongue, cheeks, jaw, or arms and legs. These symptoms may not go away after you stop taking the drug. Unfortunately, this side effect common with long-term use. Approximately 24% to 32% of people taking this medication might develop some degree of tardive dyskinesia. Research shows that other drugs for bipolar disorder may not have as great a risk of tardive dyskinesia as Haldol. However, they do carry their own risks. If you're concerned about your risk, talk to your doctor about your medication options. You may wish to go over the alternative medications that are available and determine which ones have a side effect profile that you find would be more tolerable for you. For those who need to take Haldol, research is in progress looking at methods of decreasing the risk of tardive dyskinesia. Many of the studies, such as those looking at antioxidants such as Ginkgo biloba or alpha-tocopherol (a type of vitamin E), have only been done on animals in the lab. Before starting the medication, talk to your doctor about any options she feels may decrease your risk. Overdose and Discontinuation When you're discontinuing Haldol, you may experience trembling in your fingers and hands, along with uncontrolled movements of your mouth, tongue, and jaw. If you do have these side effects, notify your doctor as soon as possible. Symptoms of a Haldol overdose include: Jerking Severe breathing difficulty Severe dizziness Severe drowsiness Severe muscle trembling Severe, unusual tiredness, or weakness Stiffness or uncontrolled movements If you experience these symptoms, seek emergency medical assistance. Using Atypical Antipsychotics for Bipolar Treatments Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Dealing with racing thoughts? Always feeling tired? Our guide offers strategies to help you or your loved one live better with bipolar disorder. Sign up for our newsletter and get it free. Sign Up You're in! Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. There was an error. Please try again. What are your concerns? Other Inaccurate Hard to Understand Submit Article Sources Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Meeks TW, Jeste DV. Beyond the black box: What is the role for antipsychotics in dementia?. Curr Psychiatr. 2008;7(6):50-65. PMID: 19221607 U.S. Food & Drug Administration. Haldol. Updated December 2017. Seigneurie AS, Sauvanaud F, Limosin F. Prevention and treatment of tardive dyskinesia caused by antipsychotic drugs. Encephale. 2016;42(3):248-254. doi:10.1016/j.encep.2015.12.021 Shi J, Tan YL, Wang ZR, et al. Ginkgo biloba and vitamin E ameliorate haloperidol-induced vacuous chewingmovement and brain-derived neurotrophic factor expression in a rat tardive dyskinesia model. Pharmacol Biochem Behav. 2016;148:53-58. doi:10.1016/j.pbb.2016.06.003 Additional Reading Lister J, Nobrega J, Remington G. Oxidative stress and the antipsychotic-Induced vacuous chewing movement model of tardive dyskinesia: evidence for antioxidant-based prevention strategies. Psychopharmacology. 2014. 231(11):2237-49. doi:10.1007/s00213-014-3582-6 Speak to a Therapist Online Advertiser Disclosure × The offers that appear in this table are from partnerships from which Verywell Mind receives compensation.