Haloperidol Dosing Guidelines

Dosing Recommendations

For delirium in a patient, a starting dose of 0.5-1 mg orally at night and every 2 hours as needed, with a maximum of 10 mg daily (5 mg daily in elderly patients), is recommended by the British Medical Journal guidelines 1
The British Medical Journal suggests that for delirium, 0.5-1 mg PO at night and every 2 hours as needed (maximum 10 mg daily) can be used 1
For cancer patients with delirium, the Annals of Oncology guidelines recommend a starting dose of 0.5-1 mg PO or SC stat, with a PRN dose of 0.5 or 1 mg PO or SC every hour as needed, and lower doses (0.25-0.5 mg) for older or frail patients 2
The Annals of Oncology guidelines also suggest that QTc interval prolongation risk increases with higher doses 2
In acute agitation, combination therapy with lorazepam may be more effective than haloperidol alone, according to the Annals of Emergency Medicine guidelines 3, 4

For geriatric or debilitated patients with delirium, the British Medical Journal recommends a maximum of 5 mg daily 1
The Annals of Oncology guidelines suggest that for COVID-19 related delirium, 0.5-1 mg orally at night and every 2 hours as needed, with a maximum of 10 mg daily (5 mg daily in elderly patients), can be used 1, 2