IV Haldol

Q: Intravenous (IV) administration of haloperidol may have a higher risk of extrapyramidal side effects than oral administration? (select one) 

A) True 
B) False


Answer:  B

Although IV Haloperidol has a high-grade warning from FDA, it is very commonly used at the bedside. Interestingly, IV Haloperidol tends to cause lower extrapyramidal side effects than oral administration. 

Not fully explained but this is probably due to avoidance of first-pass metabolism, saving brain from the effects of metabolites.

#psychiatry
#pharmacology
#neurology


Reference:

 Menza MA, Murray GB, Holmes VF, Rafuls WA: Decreased extrapyramidal symptoms with intravenous haloperidol. J Clin Psychiatry 1987; 48:278–280