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Haloperidol (Haldol® Decanoate): Basic Information

Haldol® Decanoate is a brand name of a depot formulation of haloperidol which is a first-generation (“typical”) antipsychotic. Here is basic information about this medication.


FDA-approved indications

Treatment of schizophrenic patients who require prolonged parenteral antipsychotic therapy


Dosage

A. Initial dosage (given by deep IM injection every month)

The switchover from oral dose to haloperidol decanoate can be achieved by using the initial dose that is 10 to 20 times the daily oral dose in haloperidol equivalents.

a) In elderly, debilitated, and patients stabilized on a low dose (up to 10 mg/day) of oral haloperidol

Administer 10 to 15 times the daily oral dose

b) In patients stabilized on high oral dose or who have become tolerant to the oral medication

Administer 20 times the daily oral dose

The maximum initial dosage can not exceed 100 mg. If the calculated dose after conversion exceeds 100 mg, then 100 mg may be administered immediately followed by the remaining dose in 3 to 7 days.

B. Maintenance dose

May be titrated upwards or downwards based upon therapeutic response. The usual maintenance dose is 10 to 15 times the daily oral dose.


Dosage forms and strengths

Injection (Haldol® Decanoate and generic): 50 mg/mL and 100 mg/mL

Please refer to Prescribing Information (see link below) for a complete discussion of dosage, administration, warnings and precautions, contraindications, etc.


Related Pages

Haloperidol (Haldol®): Basic Information

Long-acting injectable antipsychotics

Second-Generation (“Atypical”) Antipsychotics


References

Long-acting haloperidol (Haldol® Decanoate) Prescribing Information


Copyright 2016, Rajnish Mago, MD. All rights reserved. May not be reproduced in any form without express written permission.

Disclaimer: The content on this website is provided as general education for medical professionals. It is not intended or recommended for patients or other laypersons or as a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Patients must always consult a qualified health care professional regarding their diagnosis and treatment. Healthcare professionals should always check this website for the most recently updated information.

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