Pathology Handbook

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Haloperidol

Alternative Names:

Haldol

Laboratory:

Clinical Biochemistry

Test Code:

HALAH for Alfred, HALO for Outside tests

Specimen Types:

Blood

Container Types:

Lithium Heparin (without Gel)
EDTA 3 mL
Plain tube - serum (no Gel)

Adults Volume or Mass:

3 mL

Minimum/Paediatric Volume or Mass:

3 mL

Collection & Request Instructions:

Collect pre-dose

Transport Instructions between Sites and/or Laboratories:

Room Temperature

Assay Frequency:

Twice weekly

Additional Notes:

Therapeutic range: 1 - 10 mcg/L

Haloperidol is a 1^st generation antipsychotic and is effective in the treatment of schizophrenia and a number of other psychiatric disorders. It seems to have less weight gain than other antipsychotics but may have extrapyramidal side-effects. It is metabolised by CYP2D6 and 3A4 and has ½ life of 12 to 36 hours. Smokers seem to have lower levels. The therapeutic range for haloperidol is based on the recommendations of the AGNP consensus guidelines (1). They agree with the observed ranges in a recent paper where 1400 levels were measured in patients treated with haloperidol (2).

1. Hiemke C, et al. Consensus Guidelines for Therapeutic Drug Monitoring in Neuropsychopharmacology: Update 2017. Pharmacopsychiatry. 2018 Jan;51(1-02):e1. doi: 10.1055/s-0037-1600991. Epub 2018 Feb 1.

2. Jönsson AK, et al. A Compilation of Serum Concentrations of 12 Antipsychotic Drugs in a Therapeutic Drug Monitoring Setting. Ther Drug Monit. 2019;41(3):348–356. doi:10.1097/FTD.0000000000000585

Performed by LC-MS/MS.