Serenace

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Generic Name: Haloperidol
Product Name: Serenace

Indication of Serenace
Action of Serenace
Dose advice of Serenace
Schedule of Serenace
Common side effects of Serenace
Uncommon side effects of Serenace

Indication of Serenace:

Haloperidol is used in the management of psychotic symptoms due to diseases such as:

Schizophrenia

psychosis due to brain damage or mental deficiency

senile psychosis

manic phase of manic depressive illness

Tourette syndromeIt can also be used in the acute management of alcoholism to control:

delusions

hallucinations

confused states

tremulousness

aggressive behaviourHaloperidol can also be used to treat intractable nausea and vomiting associated with radiation or malignancy.When used in combination with a narcotic analgesia, Haloperidol may be used to achieve a state of neuroleptanalgesia.

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Action of Serenace:

Haloperidol is a drug that has the capability to affect the mental state. Its precise mechanism of action is unknown, but it acts on the neurotransmitter (chemical messenger) dopamine in the brain. It blocks dopamine receptors and causes an increased turnover of dopamine in the brain, which has a sedative effect. With medium-term administration, it causes decreased release of dopamine and this, combined with the dopamine receptor blockade, leads to the antipsychotic effect of Haloperidol.Haloperidol also blocks dopamine receptors in other areas of the brain, which may lead to certain physical side effects (tremor, slow movements, alteration in muscle tone) and altered release of some hormones.

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Dose advice of Serenace:

When large doses, IV doses, rapid control of an acutely disturbed patient or heavier than usual doses are required, the patient should be transferred as soon as possible to a place where resuscitation equipment and antiparkinsonian measures are available.There is considerable variation between patients. Careful dose titration according to clinical response is required and will be different for every patient. Parenteral administration:Agitation and aggressiveness associated with acute psychosis:

2-10mg IM or IV initially

dose depends on age, weight and severity of symptoms

initial dose may be given slowly or as a bolus

subsequent doses should be given half hourly (IV) or hourly (IM) according to response

the maximum daily dose is 100mgTotal daily maintenance dose:

once symptoms have been controlled, a maintenance dose should be calculated.

the half-life of Haloperidol is 24 hours.

maintenance dose is usually half the daily dose required to achieve initial control of symptoms.

dose should be divided and given morning and evening.

transfer to oral therapy should occur as soon as practicableOral administration.Adults

moderate symptoms: 1-5mg/day

severe symptoms: 5-10mg/day

daily doses should be titrated against response and may be as high as 100mgElderly and debilitated

1-3mg/day is usually sufficientChildrenHaloperidol is only appropriate for severely aggressive or hostile children, or for the treatment of Tourette syndrome.

1-3mg/day (use liquid 10-30 drops)

maintenance dose is usually 0.05mg/kg/day

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Schedule of Serenace:

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Common side effects of Serenace:

Common side effects of Haloperidol include:

sedation

postural hypotension (lightheadedness on standing)

increased heart rate

dry mouth

blurred vision

pupil constriction

constipation

nausea

urinary retention

sexual adverse effects

weight gain

increase in blood sugarHaloperidol often causes effects known as extrapyramidal side effects. These are similar to some of the early symptoms of Parkinson's disease, and are usually reversible on cessation of treatment. The symptoms include:

muscle tremors

increased or decreased muscle tone (which can cause laryngeal spasm or bronchospasm)

involuntary movements

mask-like faceHaloperidol may also cause an increase in serum prolactin levels, which can result in symptoms such as:

breast development in males

increased milk production and leaking from nipples

cessation of menstrual periods

infertilityall of which are reversible on cessation of therapy.

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