Patient/caregiver was educated on the side-effects of using Haldol as follows:
Sexual side-effects
- Haldol intake carries the risk of increasing the levels of hormone prolactin in the body. Elevated prolactin levels in males can result in erectile dysfunction, reduced interest for sex, and growth of breast tissue.
- Elevated prolactin levels in females can result in menstrual irregularities with abnormal/missed period, infertility, breast enlargement and tenderness, and increased breast milk production without being pregnant.
Musculoskeletal side-effects
- Haldol intake carries the risk of lowering the threshold for seizures, thereby, resulting in seizure activity, especially in individuals with history of the same.
- Haldol intake can also induce a life-threatening reaction called Neuroleptic malignant syndrome. Individuals taking Haldol can present with high fever, episodes of confusion, muscle rigidity, elevated blood pressure, and rapid heart rate. Severe cases can present with muscle breakdown, elevated potassium levels in the blood due to muscle destruction, life-threatening cardiac arrhythmias due to the elevated blood potassium, and seizures.
- Haldol carries the risk of inducing/aggravating tremors and abnormal and uncontrolled body movements, such as, uncontrolled tongue movements, lip smacking, and eye blinking. Dyskinesias could be due to side-effects of various medications intake or secondary to movement disorders, such as, Parkinson’s disease. Irrespective to the cause of dyskinesias, individuals with history can be at increased risk to present with aggravation of the condition, secondary to Haldol intake.
