Thanks so much for your post.  I thought you migh tbe intersted in reviewing the information we have on Haldol, particularly the Precautions and Side Effects material. As well, you could also read a post by one of our Experts, Carol Bradley Bursack titled, "For Dementia Patients, Drugs Shouldn't Be Used to Control".

Hope this helps, all the best, sue (moderator)

Hi

Thankyou for your question. It is an issue that affects many people with Alzheimer's and their caregivers. Giving any sedatives such as Haldol is a difficult decision. The nurses will have asked a doctor to examine and evaluate your father's heath and he/she will then try to balance that with the situation at the hospital. I suggest you contact the nurses and the doctor to discuss your worries.

If the care is good they should give you valid reasons for the medication intervention and tell you how long they intend to continue with the drug. They will also be monitoring the theraputic value of the medication to make sure it is beneficial.

Christine 

My dad was given Haldol after brain surgery and it made him paranoid, among other things. He thought the nurse was trying to kill him in the shower - the nurse he adored the day before. He thought they were trying to steal his dentures - he wanted me to hide them in my purse. His personality totally changed. These things would happen about twenty minutes after a dose. We fought like crazy to get him off of that, and finally won.

Everyone is different. Maybe there are some for whom this works. But for my dad, it was the worst medication possible. I still have nightmares of that time.

Carol