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Substitute for Haldol
Haldol® (haloperidol) is a prescription drug licensed to treat various conditions, including psychotic disorders, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and behavior problems in children. Although most people tolerate this medication well, you may want to consider a substitute if you experience any side effects or do not see an improvement in your symptoms.
Other medications that can be used as a Haldol substitute include other typical antipsychotics and newer, atypical antipsychotics.
Typical Antipsychotics
These are older, "first-generation" antipsychotic medications. While it is thought that these medications may be more likely to cause serious side effects, studies have shown conflicting results. In addition to Haldol, these medications can include:
- Chlorpromazine (Thorazine®)
- Fluphenazine (Prolixin®)
- Loxapine (Adasuve™, Loxitane®)
- Molindone (Moban®)
- Perphenazine (Trilafon®)
- Pimozide (Orap®)
- Prochlorperazine (Compazine®, Compro®)
- Thiothixene (Navane®)
- Thioridazine (Mellaril®)
- Trifluoperazine (Stelazine®).
Atypical Antipsychotics
It is thought that these newer, antipsychotic medications may have fewer serious side effects than older antipsychotics (though studies have shown conflicting results). These medications can include:
- Aripiprazole (Abilify®)
- Clozapine (Clozaril®, FazaClo®)
- Olanzapine (Zyprexa®)
- Paliperidone (Invega®)
- Quetiapine (Seroquel®)
- Risperidone (Risperdal®)
- Ziprasidone (Geodon®).
(Click Haldol Alternatives to learn about other alternatives to Haldol, including information about various types of therapy.)

Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD