Haloperidol buccal or sublingual
| Haloperidol buccal or sublingual | |
| What is it? | Butyrophenone antipsychotic |
| Mechanism of action | D2, alpha-adrenergic and sigma receptor antagonist |
| Starting dose | 0.5 mg–1.5 mg 6–8 hourly |
| Time to onset of effect | I hour if give PO (buccal/sublingual may be faster)17 |
| Formulation | Oral solution |
| Indication | Delirium Nausea and vomiting Hiccups Psychosis |
| Common adverse effects | Extra pyramidal effects, altered liver function tests, dizziness, sedation, visual disturbance, depression, hypotension16 |
| Contraindications | Parkinson’s disease, Lewy body dementia, cardiac disorders, QTc prolongation, recent myocardial infarction, decompensated heart failure heart failure16 |
| Caution | Dementia, stroke risk, epilepsy, renal and hepatic impairment, cardiac disease16 |
| Licence | Off licence use of licensed product |
| Benefits | Alternative route of administration of an antipsychotic |
| Risks | Time to effect unknown when used sublingually |
| Cost |
Price varies widely by product:
£4.45 for 100 mL of Haldol 2 mg/mL oral solution |