Haldol

Sometimes due to competitive pressures, prescription drugs are rushed to market with insufficient testing. Long-term side effects of the drug may not be fully understood, and injury and death may occur while taking the drug or after taking the drug. This is the unfortunate situation surrounding a drug called Haldol.

What is Haldol?

Haldol (also known as Haloperidol) treats a number of behavioral conditions including:

• Schizophrenia
• Severe psychosis
• Delirium
• Acute manic phases
• Hyperactivity
• Aggression
• Severe behavioral disorders in children

Side effects of Haldol include:

• Dry mouth
• Lethargy
• Muscle stiffness
• Severe depression

Dangerous Side Effects of Haldol

In cooperation with the FDA, Johnson & Johnson, the makers of Haldol, issued new warnings about a potential risk of dangerous heart conditions and possible death from Haldol.

The warning states that Haldol may increase the patient’s chances of developing:

• A life-threatening heart disorder called QT prolongation
• An uncommon variant of the heart’s ventricular system called Torsades de Pointes, also called torsade or TdP

Johnson & Johnson and the FDA chose to inform the public of these life-threatening complications after reports of sudden death, QT prolongation and Torsades de Pointes in patients using Haldol, generally occurring after intravenous use or the administration of higher than recommended doses. Because of this, Haldol is no longer approved for intravenous administration. If the drug is administered intravenously, ECG monitoring is strongly recommended to decrease the risk of TdP and QT prolongation.

Injury and Death from Haldol Use

Unfortunately, for patients and their families already adversely affected by Haldol use, these warnings may have come too late. As with many other prescription drugs, injuries and deaths have occurred. When this happens, a lawsuit can be filed under laws such as:

• Defective Product laws
• Defective Drug laws
• Wrongful Death laws

Liability for patient injury or death can include physicians and pharmacists who prescribe or administer incorrect dosages. Sometimes, these medicines become lethal when combined with other medications the patient may already be taking.

Pursuing a legal claim for injury or death from Haldol is quite complex. If you or a loved one has suffered from the adverse effects of Haldol, you may want to consult with an attorney who is highly experienced in pharmaceutical injury laws. Jacoby & Myers is a leader in this area of law.  Our attorneys are highly experienced in successfully pursuing pharmaceutical injuries to the fullest extent of the law and winning the compensation you deserve to compensate you for your losses.

Please contact our defective drug lawyers today to schedule your private, no-cost consultation. Jacoby & Meyers has offices nationwide.