Intravenous haloperidol for tranquilization in critical care patients: a review and critique

The management of agitated, combative, fearful critically ill patients is a significant challenge for critical care nurses. Intravenously administered haloperidol can be effective in treating these patients. Because the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has not approved the use of haloperidol intravenously, there are no widely accepted guidelines for intravenous use of this drug. This chapter reviews the literature and provides information to critical care nurses in the use of intravenous haloperidol. Haloperidol's pharmacologic properties are described; several published case studies are reviewed; and potential adverse effects associated with haloperidol's use are presented.