Haloperidol
HaldolPubChem CID 3559 · 3D model
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Calms psychotic symptoms by strongly blocking one brain signal, dopamine, far more than it blocks serotonin — the opposite balance from newer antipsychotics like quetiapine, which is why it's more likely to cause stiff or restless movement side effects.
How it works
Haloperidol calms psychotic symptoms mainly by blocking one specific brain signal called dopamine, much more strongly than it blocks a different signal called serotonin. That's the opposite balance from newer antipsychotics like quetiapine, also on this site, which lean more on blocking serotonin. Haloperidol's strong, narrow dopamine-blocking action makes it very effective, but it's also why it's more likely to cause stiff, jerky, or restless movement side effects than newer drugs.
What it’s used for
Doctors prescribe haloperidol for schizophrenia and other conditions involving hallucinations, delusions, or severe agitation. It comes as a pill or as a long-acting monthly injection, with the injection used once someone's dose has already been worked out on the daily pill.
- Mechanism
- D2 dopamine receptor antagonist (typical antipsychotic)
- Drug class
- Small molecule
- Therapeutic area
- CNS / Psychiatric