An Introduction to Haloperidol Dosing
The dose of
haloperidol (
Haldol®) your healthcare provider recommends will vary depending on a number of factors, including:
- The medical condition being treated
- Your age and weight
- The severity of your condition
- Other medical conditions you may have
- Other medications you may be currently taking.
As always, do not adjust your haloperidol dosage unless your healthcare provider specifically instructs you to do so.
Oral Haloperidol Dosing for Adults
The recommended starting haloperidol dose for adults is haloperidol 0.5 mg to 2 mg two to three times daily (for moderate symptoms) or haloperidol 3 mg to 5 mg two to three times daily (for severe symptoms). Your healthcare provider may increase your haloperidol dose as necessary to control your symptoms. Older people, or those with other health problems, may need to start at the lower dose (haloperidol 0.5 mg to 2 mg two to three times daily).
Oral Haloperidol Dosing for Children
For children ages three and older, the recommended haloperidol dose depends upon the child's weight and the condition being treated. For psychotic disorders in children, the recommended starting dose is haloperidol 0.05 mg to 0.15 mg per kg total per day (about 0.02 mg to 0.7 mg per pound per day), divided into two or three smaller doses per day. For behavior problems and
Tourette syndrome in children, the recommended starting dose is haloperidol 0.05 mg to 0.075 mg per kg total per day (about 0.02 mg to 0.03 mg per pound per day), divided into two or three smaller doses per day.
