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haloperidol decanoate
Overview
Active ingredients
Source: NDC DirectoryForms, strengths and routes
Source: NDC DirectoryPharmacologic classes are listed in the class section below.
Pharmacologic class
Source: NDC Directory| Class | Type | Browse |
|---|---|---|
| Typical Antipsychotic [EPC] | EPC | All 10 members |
Regulatory status
Source: Drugs@FDANDC Directory| Product | Trade name | Form | Strength | Ingredient | Status | TE | Flags |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 205241-001 | HALOPERIDOL DECANOATE | INJECTABLE | HALOPERIDOL DECANOATE | Prescription | AO | ||
| 205241-002 | HALOPERIDOL DECANOATE | INJECTABLE | HALOPERIDOL DECANOATE | Prescription | AO |
Therapeutic equivalence
Source: Orange BookWhat this rating means: Therapeutically equivalent — bioequivalence demonstrated (injectable oil solutions)
Codes beginning with “A” indicate products the FDA considers therapeutically equivalent. Codes beginning with “B” indicate bioequivalence has not been established. See methodology.
Approval history
Source: Drugs@FDA| Type | No. | Action | Status | Date | Review |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Supplement | 7 | Labeling | Approved | April 24, 2025 | Standard |
| Supplement | 5 | Labeling | Approved | March 27, 2023 | Standard |
| Supplement | 4 | Labeling | Approved | October 29, 2019 | Standard |
| Supplement | 2 | Labeling | Approved | October 29, 2019 | Standard |
| Original application | 1 | Approved | May 12, 2017 | Standard |
Prescribing information
Source: openFDA Drug LabelingReproduced verbatim from the Structured Product Labeling submitted to the FDA (effective 20240227). This is the manufacturer's labelling text, not a summary and not advice.
Boxed Warning
openFDA Drug LabelingWARNING Increased Mortality in Elderly Patients with Dementia-Related Psychosis Elderly patients with dementia-related psychosis treated with antipsychotic drugs are at an increased risk of death. Analyses of seventeen placebo-controlled trials (modal duration of 10 weeks), largely in patients taking atypical antipsychotic drugs, revealed a risk of death in drug-treated patients of between 1.6 to 1.7 times the risk of death in placebo-treated patients. Over the course of a typical 10-week controlled trial, the rate of death in drug-treated patients was about 4.5%, compared to a rate of about 2.6% in the placebo group. Although the causes of death were varied, most of the deaths appeared to be either cardiovascular (e.g., heart failure, sudden death) or infectious (e.g., pneumonia) in nature. Observational studies suggest that, similar to atypical antipsychotic drugs, treatment with conventional antipsychotic drugs may increase mortality. The extent to which the findings of increased mortality in observational studies may be attributed to the antipsychotic drug as opposed to some characteristic(s) of the patients is not clear. Haloperidol Decanoate Injection is not approved for the treatment of patients with dementia-related psychosis (see WARNINGS ).
Indications and Usage
openFDA Drug LabelingINDICATIONS AND USAGE Haloperidol decanoate injection, 50 mg/mL and haloperidol decanoate injection, 100 mg/mL are indicated for the treatment of patients with schizophrenia who require prolonged parenteral antipsychotic therapy.
Dosage and Administration
openFDA Drug LabelingDOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION Haloperidol decanoate injection, 50 mg per mL or haloperidol decanoate injection, 100 mg per mL should be administered by deep intramuscular injection. A 21 gauge needle is recommended. The maximum volume per injection site should not exceed 3 mL. DO NOT ADMINISTER INTRAVENOUSLY. Parenteral drug products should be inspected visually for particulate matter and discoloration prior to administration, whenever solution and container permit. Haloperidol decanoate injection, 50 mg per mL or haloperidol decanoate injection, 100 mg per mL are intended for use in schizophrenic patients who require prolonged parenteral antipsychotic therapy. These patients must be previously stabilized on antipsychotic medication before considering a conversion to haloperidol decanoate. Furthermore, it is recommended that patients being considered for haloperidol decanoate therapy have been treated with, and tolerate well, short-acting haloperidol in order to reduce the possibility of an unexpected adverse sensitivity to haloperidol. Close clinical supervision is required during the initial period of dose adjustment in order to minimize the risk of overdosage or reappearance of psychotic symptoms before the next injection. During dose adjustment or episodes of exacerbation of symptoms of schizophrenia, haloperidol decanoate therapy can be supplemented with short-acting forms of haloperidol. The dose of haloperidol decanoate injection, 50 mg per mL or haloperidol decanoate injection, 100 mg per mL should be expressed in terms of its haloperidol content. The starting dose of haloperidol decanoate should be based on the patient's age, clinical history, physical condition, and response to previous antipsychotic therapy. The preferred approach to determining the minimum effective dose is to begin with lower initial doses and to adjust the dose upward as needed. For patients previously maintained on low doses of antipsychotics (e.g. up to the equivalent of 10 mg per day oral haloperidol), it is recommended that the initial dose of haloperidol decanoate be 10 to 15 times the previous daily dose in oral haloperidol equivalents; limited clinical experience suggests that lower initial doses may be adequate. Initial Therapy Conversion from oral haloperidol to haloperidol decanoate can be achieved by using an initial dose of haloperidol decanoate that is 10 to 20 times the previous daily dose in oral haloperidol equivalents. In patients who are elderly, debilitated, or stable on low doses of oral haloperidol (e.g. up to the equivalent of 10 mg/day oral haloperidol), a range of 10 to 15 times the previous daily dose in oral haloperidol equivalents is appropriate for initial conversion. In patients previously maintained on higher doses of antipsychotics for whom a low dose approach risks recurrence of psychiatric decompensation and in patients whose long-term use of haloperidol has resulted in a tolerance to the drug, 20 times the previous daily dose in oral haloperidol equivalents should be considered for initial conversion, with downward titration on succeeding injections. The initial dose of haloperidol decanoate should not exceed 100 mg regardless of previous antipsychotic dose requirements. If, therefore, conversion requires more than 100 mg of haloperidol decanoate as an initial dose, that dose should be administered in two injections, i.e. a maximum of 100 mg initially followed by the balance in 3 to 7 days. Maintenance Therapy The maintenance dosage of haloperidol decanoate must be individualized with titration upward or downward based on therapeutic response. The usual maintenance range is 10 to 15 times the previous daily dose in oral haloperidol equivalents dependent on the clinical response of the patient. HALOPERIDOL DECANOATE DOSING RECOMMENDATIONS Patients Monthly 1 st Month Maintenance Stabilized on low daily oral doses (up to 10 mg per day) Elderly or Debilitated 10 to 15 × Daily Oral Dose 10 to 15 × Previous Daily Oral Dose …
Contraindications
openFDA Drug LabelingCONTRAINDICATIONS Since the pharmacologic and clinical actions of haloperidol decanoate injection, 50 mg/mL and 100 mg/mL are attributed to haloperidol as the active medication, Contraindications, Warnings , and additional information are those of haloperidol, modified only to reflect the prolonged action. Haloperidol is contraindicated in patients with: Severe toxic central nervous system depression or comatose states from any cause. Hypersensitivity to this drug – hypersensitivity reactions have included anaphylactic reaction and angioedema (see WARNINGS, Hypersensitivity Reactions and ADVERSE REACTIONS ). Parkinson's disease (see WARNINGS, Neurological Adverse Reactions in Patients with Parkinson's Disease or Dementia with Lewy Bodies ). Dementia with Lewy bodies (see WARNINGS, Neurological Adverse Reactions in Patients with Parkinson's Disease or Dementia with Lewy Bodies ).
Warnings
openFDA Drug LabelingWARNINGS Increased Mortality in Elderly Patients with Dementia-Related Psychosis Elderly patients with dementia-related psychosis treated with antipsychotic drugs are at an increased risk of death. Haloperidol Decanoate Injection is not approved for the treatment of patients with dementia-related psychosis (see BOXED WARNING ). Cardiovascular Effects Cases of sudden death, QTc interval-prolongation, and Torsades de Pointes have been reported in patients receiving haloperidol (see ADVERSE REACTIONS ). Higher than recommended doses of any formulation and intravenous administration of haloperidol appear to be associated with a higher risk of QTc interval-prolongation and Torsades de Pointes. Also, a QTc interval that exceeds 500 msec is associated with an increased risk of Torsades de Pointes. Although cases have been reported even in the absence of predisposing factors, particular caution is advised in treating patients with other QTc-prolonging conditions (including electrolyte imbalance [particularly hypokalemia and hypomagnesemia], drugs known to prolong QTc, underlying cardiac abnormalities, hypothyroidism, and familial long QT-syndrome). HALOPERIDOL DECANOATE INJECTION MUST NOT BE ADMINISTERED INTRAVENOUSLY. Tachycardia and hypotension (including orthostatic hypotension) have also been reported in occasional patients (see ADVERSE REACTIONS ). Cerebrovascular Adverse Reactions In controlled trials, elderly patients with dementia-related psychosis treated with some antipsychotics had an increased risk (compared to placebo) of cerebrovascular adverse reactions (e.g., stroke, transient ischemic attack), including fatalities. The mechanism for this increased risk is not known. An increased risk cannot be excluded for haloperidol decanoate injection, other antipsychotics, or other patient populations. Haloperidol decanoate injection should be used with caution in patients with risk factors for cerebrovascular adverse reactions. Tardive Dyskinesia A syndrome consisting of potentially irreversible, involuntary, dyskinetic movements may develop in patients treated with antipsychotic drugs (see ADVERSE REACTIONS ). Although the prevalence of the syndrome appears to be highest among the elderly, especially elderly women, it is impossible to rely upon prevalence estimates to predict, at the inception of antipsychotic treatment, which patients are likely to develop the syndrome. Whether antipsychotic drug products differ in their potential to cause tardive dyskinesia is unknown. Both the risk of developing tardive dyskinesia and the likelihood that it will become irreversible are believed to increase as the duration of treatment and the total cumulative dose of antipsychotic drugs administered to the patient increase. However, the syndrome can develop, although much less commonly, after relatively brief treatment periods at low doses. Tardive dyskinesia may remit, partially or completely, if antipsychotic treatment is discontinued. Antipsychotic treatment, itself, however, may suppress (or partially suppress) the signs and symptoms of the syndrome and thereby may possibly mask the underlying process. The effect that symptomatic suppression has upon the long-term course of the syndrome is unknown. Given these considerations, antipsychotic drugs should be prescribed in a manner that is most likely to minimize the occurrence of tardive dyskinesia. Chronic antipsychotic treatment should generally be reserved for patients who suffer from a chronic illness that 1) is known to respond to antipsychotic drugs, and 2) for whom alternative, equally effective, but potentially less harmful treatments are not available or appropriate. In patients who do require chronic treatment, the smallest dose and the shortest duration of treatment producing a satisfactory clinical response should be sought. The need for continued treatment should be reassessed periodically. If signs and symptoms of tardive dyskinesia appear in a patient on antipsychotics, drug d …
Adverse Reactions
openFDA Drug LabelingADVERSE REACTIONS The following adverse reactions are discussed in more detail in other sections of the labeling: WARNINGS, Increased Mortality in Elderly Patients with Dementia-Related Psychosis WARNINGS, Cardiovascular Effects WARNINGS, Tardive Dyskinesia WARNINGS, Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome WARNINGS, Hypersensitivity Reactions WARNINGS, Falls WARNINGS, Combined Use of Haloperidol and Lithium WARNINGS, General PRECAUTIONS, Leukopenia, Neutropenia, and Agranulocytosis PRECAUTIONS, Other PRECAUTIONS, Usage in Pregnancy Clinical Trials Experience Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical trials of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical trials of another drug, and may not reflect the rates observed in practice. The data described below reflect exposure to haloperidol in 410 patients who participated in 13 clinical trials with haloperidol decanoate (15 to 500 mg/month) in the treatment of schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder. These clinical trials comprised: 1 double-blind, active comparator-controlled trial with fluphenazine decanoate. 2 trials comparing the decanoate formulation to oral haloperidol. 9 open-label trials. 1 dose-response trial. The most common adverse reactions in haloperidol decanoate-treated patients in the double-blind, active comparator-controlled clinical trial with fluphenazine decanoate (≥5%) were: Parkinsonism, and oculogyric crisis. Adverse Reactions Reported at ≥1% Incidence in a Double-Blind Active Comparator-Controlled Clinical Trial Adverse reactions occurring in ≥1% of haloperidol decanoate-treated patients in a double-blind, clinical trial with the active comparator fluphenazine decanoate are shown in Table 1 . Table 1. Adverse Reactions Reported by ≥1% of Haloperidol Decanoate-Treated Patients in a Double-Blind Active Comparator-Controlled Clinical Trial with Fluphenazine Decanoate a Precise incidence for extrapyramidal disorder cannot be determined; reporting rates of some individual symptoms of extrapyramidal disorder are lower for haloperidol decanoate than for the active comparator, but the terms are included here because the events are considered associated with the drug System/Organ Class Adverse Reaction Haloperidol decanoate (n=36) % Fluphenazine decanoate (n=36) % Gastrointestinal Disorders Abdominal pain 2.8 0 Nervous System Disorders Extrapyramidal disorder a : Parkinsonism Oculogyric crisis Akinesia Akathisia Tremor Headache 30.6 5.6 2.8 2.8 2.8 2.8 44.4 0 22.2 13.9 0 0 Additional Adverse Reactions Reported in Double-Blind, Comparator, Open-Label and Dose-Response Clinical Trials Additional adverse reactions that are listed below were reported by haloperidol decanoate-treated patients in comparator, open-label, and dose-response clinical trials, or at <1% incidence in a double-blind, active comparator-controlled clinical trial with fluphenazine decanoate. Cardiac Disorders: Tachycardia Endocrine Disorders: Hyperprolactinemia Eye Disorders: Vision blurred Gastrointestinal Disorders: Constipation, Dry mouth, Salivary hypersecretion General Disorders and Administration Site Conditions: Injection site reaction Investigations: Weight increased Musculoskeletal and Connective Tissue Disorders: Muscle rigidity Nervous System Disorders: Dyskinesia, Dystonia, Cogwheel rigidity, Hypertonia, Masked Facies, Sedation, Somnolence Reproductive System and Breast Disorders: Erectile dysfunction Adverse Reactions Identified in Clinical Trials with Haloperidol (Non-Decanoate Formulations) The adverse reactions listed below were identified with non-decanoate formulations, and reflect exposure to the active moiety haloperidol in the following: 284 patients who participated in 3 double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trials with haloperidol (injection or oral formulation, 2 to 20 mg per day); two trials were in the treatment of schizophrenia and one in the treatment of bipolar disorder. 1295 patients …
Drug Interactions
openFDA Drug LabelingDrug Interactions Drug-drug interactions can be pharmacodynamic (combined pharmacologic effects) or pharmacokinetic (alteration of plasma levels). The risks of using haloperidol in combination with other drugs have been evaluated as described below.
Description
openFDA Drug LabelingDESCRIPTION Haloperidol decanoate is the decanoate ester of the butyrophenone, haloperidol. It has a markedly extended duration of effect. It is available in sesame oil in sterile form for intramuscular (IM) injection. The structural formula of haloperidol decanoate, 4-(4-chlorophenyl)-1-[4-(4-fluorophenyl)-4-oxobutyl]-4 piperidinyl decanoate, is: Haloperidol decanoate is almost insoluble in water (0.01 mg per mL), but is soluble in most organic solvents. Each mL of Haloperidol Decanoate Injection, 50 mg per mL, for intramuscular injection, contains 50 mg haloperidol (present as haloperidol decanoate 70.52 mg) in a sesame oil vehicle, with 1.2% (w/v) benzyl alcohol as a preservative. Each mL of Haloperidol Decanoate Injection, 100 mg per mL, for intramuscular injection, contains 100 mg haloperidol (present as haloperidol decanoate 141.04 mg) in a sesame oil vehicle, with 1.2% (w/v) benzyl alcohol as a preservative. Structural Formula
Overdosage
openFDA Drug LabelingOVERDOSAGE While overdosage is less likely to occur with a parenteral than with an oral medication, information pertaining to haloperidol is presented, modified only to reflect the extended duration of action of haloperidol decanoate. Manifestations In general, the symptoms of overdosage would be an exaggeration of known pharmacologic effects and adverse reactions, the most prominent of which would be: 1) severe extrapyramidal reactions, 2) hypotension, or 3) sedation. The patient would appear comatose with respiratory depression and hypotension which could be severe enough to produce a shock-like state. The extrapyramidal reactions would be manifested by muscular weakness or rigidity and a generalized or localized tremor, as demonstrated by the akinetic or agitans types, respectively. With accidental overdosage, hypertension rather than hypotension occurred in a two-year old child. The risk of ECG changes associated with torsade de pointes should be considered. (For further information regarding torsade de pointes, please refer to ADVERSE REACTIONS .) Treatment Since there is no specific antidote, treatment is primarily supportive. Dialysis is not recommended in the treatment of overdose because it removes only very small amounts of haloperidol. A patent airway must be established by use of an oropharyngeal airway or endotracheal tube or, in prolonged cases of coma, by tracheostomy. Respiratory depression may be counteracted by artificial respiration and mechanical respirators. Hypotension and circulatory collapse may be counteracted by use of intravenous fluids, plasma, or concentrated albumin, and vasopressor agents such as metaraminol, phenylephrine and norepinephrine. Epinephrine must not be used. In case of severe extrapyramidal reactions, antiparkinson medication should be administered, and should be continued for several weeks, and then withdrawn gradually as extrapyramidal symptoms may emerge. ECG and vital signs should be monitored especially for signs of QTc-interval prolongation or dysrhythmias and monitoring should continue until the ECG is normal. Severe arrhythmias should be treated with appropriate anti-arrhythmic measures. In case of an overdose, consult a Certified Poison Control Center (1-800-222-1222).
How Supplied / Storage and Handling
openFDA Drug LabelingHOW SUPPLIED Haloperidol Decanoate Injection is a clear colorless/pink to yellow amber oily liquid. Haloperidol Decanoate Injection, 50 mg haloperidol as 70.52 mg per mL haloperidol decanoate is available as follows: NDC Haloperidol Decanoate Injection (50 mg per mL) Package Factor 25021-831-01 50 mg per mL* Single-Dose Vial 10 vials per carton Haloperidol Decanoate Injection, 100 mg haloperidol as 141.04 mg per mL haloperidol decanoate is available as follows: * As haloperidol NDC Haloperidol Decanoate Injection (100 mg per mL) Package Factor 25021-833-01 100 mg per mL* Single-Dose Vial 10 vials per carton 25021-834-05 500 mg per 5 mL* Multi-Dose Vial 1 vial per carton Storage Conditions Store at 20° to 25°C (68° to 77°F). [See USP Controlled Room Temperature.] Do not refrigerate or freeze. PROTECT FROM LIGHT . Keep in carton until empty. Keep out of reach of children. Sterile, Nonpyrogenic. The container closure is not made with natural rubber latex. SAGENT ® Mfd. for SAGENT Pharmaceuticals Schaumburg, IL 60195 (USA) Made in India ©2023 Sagent Pharmaceuticals Revised: April 2023 SAGENT Pharmaceuticals ®
Adverse event reports
Source: openFDA FAERSAttributed to this product's most-reported active ingredient: HALOPERIDOL DECANOATE. Combination products with more than six active ingredients are not attributed, because a report count summed across a long ingredient list measures the list, not the medicine.
Packaging and NDCs
Source: NDC Directory| Package NDC | Product NDC | Labeler | Description | Marketing start |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 25021-831-01 | 25021-831 | Sagent Pharmaceuticals | 10 VIAL in 1 CARTON (25021-831-01) / 1 mL in 1 VIAL | November 15, 2017 |
| 25021-833-01 | 25021-833 | Sagent Pharmaceuticals | 10 VIAL in 1 CARTON (25021-833-01) / 1 mL in 1 VIAL | November 15, 2017 |
| 25021-834-05 | 25021-834 | Sagent Pharmaceuticals | 1 VIAL in 1 CARTON (25021-834-05) / 5 mL in 1 VIAL | November 15, 2017 |
| 25021-831 | 25021-831 | Sagent Pharmaceuticals | — | November 15, 2017 |
| 25021-833 | 25021-833 | Sagent Pharmaceuticals | — | November 15, 2017 |
| 25021-834 | 25021-834 | Sagent Pharmaceuticals | — | November 15, 2017 |
Sources for this page
| Dataset | Agency | Used for |
|---|---|---|
| NDC Directory | FDA | Identity, ingredients, strengths, forms, routes, labelers, packages |
| Drugs@FDA | FDA | Application, sponsor, submissions, review documents, marketing status |
| Orange Book | FDA | Therapeutic equivalence codes, reference drug flags, patents, exclusivity |
| Drug Labeling | FDA / NLM | Prescribing information reproduced above |
| FAERS | FDA | Adverse event report counts |
Generated September 25, 2026 · 12 sections on this page.