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Haloperidol


Mechanism of action:

Haloperidol is a butyrophenone derivative. Haloperidol blocks D₂ receptors in the mesolimbic pathway, reducing excessive dopamine activity and thereby alleviating hallucinations, delusions, and disorganized thinking. Haloperidol also affects other dopaminergic pathways, such as the nigrostriatal pathway, which can lead to extrapyramidal symptoms (EPS), and the tuberoinfundibular pathway, where it inhibits dopamine's suppression of prolactin release, resulting in hyperprolactinemia.

Reference(s):

1. Niemegeers CJ et al. (1976). Pharmacology and biochemistry of haloperidol. Proc R Soc Med. 


2. Gelders YG et al. (1986). Pharmacology, pharmacokinetics and clinical development of haloperidol decanoate. Int Clin Psychopharmacol. 


3. Kudo S et al. (1999). Pharmacokinetics of haloperidol: an update. Clin Pharmacokinet.

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