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 03, 2020 Print moodboard Collection/Brand X Pictures/Getty Images Table of Contents View All Side Effects Tardive Dyskinesia Overdose and Discontinuation Haldol—generic name 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 patient taking Haldol or haloperidol should be aware of the potential side effects, some of which are medical emergencies. 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 which concern you while taking the medication. Mild Side Effects There are several less serious side effects that people may experience while using Haldol. Though these are not an emergency or 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 either cope with these side effects or help them to go away, for example, by using sunscreen when you are out of doors. More common mild side effects include: Blurred visionBreast swelling or pain in womenChanges in menstrual periodConstipationMouth drynessUnusual secretion of milk from breastsWeight gain Less common mild side effects include: Decreased sexual abilityDrowsinessIncreased 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 swallowingInability to move eyesLoss of balance controlMask-like faceMuscle spasms, especially in the neck and backSevere restlessness or need to keep movingShuffling walkStiffness of arms and legsTrembling and shaking of fingers and handsTwisting body movementsWeakness of arms and legs Less common serious side effects include: Decreased thirstDifficulty urinatingDizziness, lightheadedness or faintingHallucinationsLip-smacking or puckeringPuffing of cheeksRapid or worm-like tongue movementsSkin rashUncontrolled arm and leg movementsUncontrolled chewing movements Rare but serious side effects: ConfusionHot, dry skin or lack of sweatingIncreased blinking or eyelid spasmsMuscle weaknessSore throat and feverUncontrolled twisting movements of neck, trunk, arms or legsUnusual bleeding or bruisingUnusual facial expressions or body positionsYellow 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 your 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 if they should see you experiencing any of them. Potential emergency side effects include: Convulsions (seizures from neuroleptic malignant syndrome)Difficult or fast breathingFast heartbeat or irregular pulseHigh feverIncreased sweatingLow blood pressureSevere muscle stiffnessUnusually 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 is far too 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 severe breathing difficulty; severe dizziness; severe drowsiness; severe muscle trembling, jerking, stiffness or uncontrolled movements; and severe, unusual tiredness or weakness. If you experience these symptoms, seek emergency medical assistance. Antipsychotics Used to for Bipolar Disorder 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. 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., Fletcher, P., and G. Remington. 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.