1. Medication Name and Class Haloperidol (Haldol) is a high-potency first-generation (conventional) antipsychotic structurally related to droperidol.

2. Mechanism of Action Haloperidol blocks central postsynaptic dopamine (D-2) receptors in the mesolimbic pathway, which treats positive symptoms of schizophrenia like hallucinations and delusions. However, dopamine blockade in the nigrostriatal pathway causes extrapyramidal symptoms (EPS), while blockade in the tuberoinfundibular tract causes hyperprolactinemia. It has weak affinity for muscarinic, alpha-1, and H-1 receptors, meaning it causes less sedation, reflex tachycardia, and orthostatic hypotension compared to other antipsychotics.

3. Indications FDA-approved uses include schizophrenia, Tourette's disorder, severe behavioral diso ...