Drug Comparison
For educational purposes only — a decision-support tool, not a substitute for clinical judgment.
Side-by-side rubric across 96 psychiatric medications. Every rating traces to a verbatim primary-source quote — click any cell to see it.
How to read this tool ▾
Rating scale
– Favorable / lower than class baseline
± Minimal / equivocal
+ Low / uncommon
++ Moderate / common
+++ High / very common
++++ Very high / class-outlier
Frequency vs severity
F = frequency, S = severity. Each gets its own pill colored on the same traffic-light scale: green → blue → yellow → orange → red. Click any cell for incidence percentages and NNH.
Evidence tier
A Network meta-analysis / RCT / FDA label
B Cohort / registry / pooled label data
C Expert review / textbook / case series
Sourcing
Click any cell to see the verbatim source quote and citation. Missing data shows n/a.
Data depth
++ Graded — frequency + severity, primary-source traces
+ FDA label — §6 frequency only (dashed border). Click for sub-types.
Blank — not yet checked (not “absent”)
–±++++++++++ABCF = frequency · S = severity · Dashed border = FDA label only · Click cell for details
1 drug selected — Haloperidol(click to collapse)
1/4 selected
Haloperidol
Haldol
First-Generation Antipsychotic
FDA-approved indications
- Management of manifestations of psychotic disorders (including schizophrenia)
- Tics and vocal utterances of Tourette's disorder
- Severe behavior problems in children (combative, explosive hyperexcitability)
- Short-term treatment of hyperactive children with conduct disorders
MechanismTypical Antipsychotic
Half-life12 to 36 hours
Decision GuideWhen to pick each / when to consider an alternative
Haloperidol
Consider when
- Acute agitation requiring IM/IV — gold standard for acute psychotic agitation; IV available (off-label) with fastest onset among antipsychotics
- Delirium in ICU setting — most evidence of any antipsychotic for ICU delirium management; low anticholinergic burden
- Long-acting injectable needed with lowest cost — haloperidol decanoate monthly; most affordable LAI option
- Tourette syndrome (off-label) — extensive historical evidence base for tic suppression; FDA-approved for this in some formulations
- +1 more
Consider an alternative when
- EPS-vulnerable patient — highest EPS risk among commonly used antipsychotics; dose-dependent parkinsonism and akathisia
- Tardive dyskinesia concern with long-term use — FGA class carries higher TD risk than SGAs; TD risk cumulative with duration
- QTc risk factors present — IV haloperidol associated with torsades de pointes; baseline and monitoring ECGs recommended
- Hyperprolactinemia concern — potent prolactin elevation; galactorrhea, amenorrhea, sexual dysfunction, osteoporosis risk
- +1 more
| Axis | Haloperidol FGA |
|---|---|
| Boxed Warnings | |
Cerebrovascular events (elderly w/ dementia) | |
Neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS) | |
| CNS | |
Sedation / somnolence | |
Activation / insomnia | |
Akathisia / EPS | |
Seizure risk | |
| Metabolic | |
Metabolic (glucose / lipids) | |
| Endocrine | |
Prolactin elevation | |
| Autonomic | |
Anticholinergic burden | |
Orthostatic hypotension | |
| Cardiac | |
Serious CV / sudden death (ADHD labeled axis) | |
Heart rate / tachycardia | |
| GI | |
Nausea / GI (general) | |
| Sexual | |
Sexual dysfunction | |
| Discontinuation | |
Withdrawal / discontinuation | |
| Interactions | |
CYP interactions / DDI profile | |
| Safety | |
Overdose toxicity | |
| Pregnancy | |
Teratogenicity | |
Lactation / breastfeeding safety | |
| Drug-specific / distinctive axes | |
Severe neurotoxicity in thyrotoxicosis (haloperidol-distinctive labeled axis) only in Haloperidol | |
Encephalopathic syndrome with concomitant lithium (haloperidol-distinctive labeled axis; Cohen-Cohen reference) only in Haloperidol | |